Runaway

Special Limited Deluxe Collector s Edition / 1st Time on CD / Two bonus tracks / Fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology / 16 page full colour booklet 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, memorabilia & rare photos FORMED IN PENNSYLVANIA the duo of Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly first met each other as members of early seventies pop band the Buoys - who scored a massive American hit single with a song titled Timothy - before going on to record for Epic records as the Jerry-Kelly Band. Moving closer to harder melodic rock, the duo continued their partnership but this time under the newer, more AOR friendly handle of Dakota, releasing in 1980 a truly riveting self-titled album, full of melodic pomp rock goodness. Switching labels to MCA, Dakota would then record an album that is regarded as one of the high points of the 80s AOR genre. Titled Runaway , released in 1984, recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, the album contains nine of the most celebrated melodic rock tracks ever recorded. It is the song writing of Hludzik and Kelly that makes an immediate impact laced with copious melody, huge hooks and musical support from a long list of the best West Coast session players. Runaway marks a high point in mid-eighties melodic AOR. Radio friendly yet aggressive enough to punch home a message, the album set the tone for years to come, laying the foundations for the likes of Survivor, Mr Mister, Bon Jovi and many more.