Frozen Ghost
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Arnold Lanni, Wolf Hassel |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Frozen Ghost, sometimes presented as Frōzen Ghōst, was a rock ensemble originating from Toronto, Canada, established in 1985 by Arnold Lanni and Wolf Hassel, both formerly members of Sheriff. The group earned the 1987 Juno Award for "Most Promising Group of the Year."
From 1987 until 1992, they achieved five Canadian top 40 hits, among them "Should I See" and "Head Over Heels." The song "Should I See," which addresses censorship issues, peaked at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. Its accompanying video was nominated for Best Video at the 1987 Juno Awards.
Career
Following the breakup of Sheriff—despite their moderate success with the Canadian top-10 hit "When I'm With You"—rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Arnold Lanni teamed up with bassist Wolf Hassel to create Frozen Ghost.
On their initial two records, Frōzen Ghōst and Nice Place to Visit, the band functioned primarily as a studio-based duo: Lanni took on lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, and sole songwriting duties, while Hassel contributed bass and backing vocals. These albums also featured guest appearances by musicians such as Derry Grehan from Honeymoon Suite.
By the time of their last album, Shake Your Spirit, Frozen Ghost had expanded their lineup to include John Bouvette on drums and percussion, Sammy De Bartel on keyboards, and Phil X providing guitar and vocals. Although Phil X played guitar on Nice Place to Visit, he officially joined the band only for their final release.
Post break up
After releasing their last album Shake Your Spirit, Frōzen Ghōst dissolved in 1993. Meanwhile, Sheriff's 1983 track "When I'm With You," penned by Lanni, was reissued and climbed to #1 in the US in 1989. Despite offers to reunite, Lanni and Hassel chose not to reform Frozen Ghost. Other members of Sheriff went on to establish Alias, which found chart success during the 1990s.
Arnold Lanni later built a notable career producing records for artists including Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Wolf Hassel returned to music in 1996 with Erin Cody and the Drum and appeared on a 2003 album by Toronto blues artist Brian Gladstone.
Hassel reunited with former Sheriff colleagues Freddy Curci and Steve DeMarchi on December 30, 2011, performing with Curci and DeMarchi's post-Sheriff group Alias; this collaboration led to Hassel officially joining Alias in 2014.
In 2005, Warner Music Canada issued a remastered compilation titled Frozen Ghost - The Essentials.
Albums
- Frōzen Ghōst - 1987
- Nice Place to Visit - 1988
- Shake Your Spirit - 1991
- The Essentials - 2005 (compilation album)
Singles
| Year | Song | CAN | US | US Rock |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Should I See" | 27 | 69 | 4 | Frozen Ghost |
| "Promises" | - | - | - | ||
| 1988 | "Yum Bai Ya" | 92 | - | - | |
| "Round and Round" | 19 | - | 44 | Nice Place to Visit | |
| "Pauper in Paradise" | 24 | - | - | ||
| 1989 | "Dream Come True" | 34 | - | - | |
| 1992 | "Head Over Heels" | 16 | - | - | Shake Your Spirit |
| "Cry (If You Want To)" | 36 | - | - | ||
| "Shine on Me" | 69 | - | - |
See also
External links
- Frozen Ghost profile at the JAM! Canadian Pop Encyclopedia
- Frozen Ghost television appearance on Labor Day Telethon
- Frozen Ghost live show, Part 1
- Frozen Ghost live show, Part 2
- Musical groups formed in 1985
- Musical groups disbanded in 1993
- Rock bands originating from Toronto
- Canadian pop rock bands
- Artists signed to Atlantic Records
- 1985 establishments in Ontario
- 1993 disestablishments in Ontario
- Juno Award winners for Breakthrough Group of the Year
- Musical groups disestablished in 1993