The original members of The Romantics formally became a band on Valentine’s Day, 1977. Bred on the streets of Detroit’s east side, The Romantics were inspiredby the British invasion, American rock roots and the late 60s Detroit scene. They favored short hair, shorter songs and leather suits. The band is widely known for their eternally infectious single “ What I Like About You”. More than 40 years later they are still known for having created some of the most influential rock and roll of all time.

The band reached its commercial peak with their 4th album, IN HEAT, which is referenced in the radio hit “Rock You Up”. IN HEAT went platinum and bore two top ten singles: “Talking In Your Sleep” and “One In A Million”. “Talking In Your Sleep” was the Romantics’ biggest chart hit, garnering substantial radio airplay and sales world wide.The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1984. It also went to #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in the U.S., where it remained on top for two weeks. In Australia, “Talking in Your Sleep” climbed to #14 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report). The song's music video, widely aired at the time on MTV and elsewhere, featured the band wearing black snakeskin suits while performing surrounded by standing, but seemingly sleeping women who were dressed in sleepwear.

Funfact: The Romantics were the first white band to appear on Soul Train, because they were “extremely funky”, according to Don Cornelius.

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