Quarterflash
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Founder | Orinda Sue "Rindy" Ross, Marvin "Marv" Ross |
| Headquarters | Portland , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Quarterflash (initially presented as QuarterFlash) was a rock ensemble from the United States, established in 1980 in Portland, Oregon. The group’s original lineup featured lead singer and saxophonist Orinda Sue "Rindy" Ross and her spouse, guitarist Marvin "Marv" Ross, accompanied by Jack Charles on guitars, Rick DiGiallonardo handling keyboards, Rich Gooch on bass, and Brian David Willis on drums.
History
Quarterflash originated through the fusion of two Oregon-based groups, Seafood Mama and Pilot. At first, they continued under the name Seafood Mama and launched the track "Harden My Heart" in 1980, which saw regional radio popularity and resulted in a television special. Subsequently, they adopted the name Quarterflash—derived from Australian vernacular—and secured a contract with Geffen Records.
Their debut album, self-titled Quarterflash released in 1981, climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned platinum certification by selling over one million units. This record included their highest-charting single "Harden My Heart," which attained No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ranked within the top 10 in France. The follow-up release "Find Another Fool" reached No. 16. Additionally, the band performed a concert broadcast simultaneously on television in Portland during 1981.
In 1982, Quarterflash contributed tracks to prominent movie soundtracks such as Ron Howard’s Night Shift, where their theme song reached No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which featured their B-side "Don't Be Lonely."
Their sophomore album Take Another Picture (1983) peaked at No. 34 on the charts, with its single "Take Me to Heart" attaining No. 14. After changes in personnel—including the exit of Charles and DiGiallonardo—the band issued Back into Blue in 1985, which only reached No. 150. Due to its modest commercial results, Geffen Records ended their contract, prompting the group’s dissolution.
In 1990, Quarterflash reassembled with session musicians and released Girl in the Wind, available solely in Europe through Epic Records. That same year, Rindy and Marv Ross created The Trail Band to honor the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail.
Marv and Rindy Ross released Goodbye Uncle Buzz in June 2008 followed by Love Is a Road in 2013; neither album achieved chart placement. The couple announced that their final Quarterflash show would take place on March 23, 2019; afterward, they continued performing as a duo.
Studio albums
| Title | Release Year | US Billboard 200 | AUS Chart | CAN Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterflash | 1981 | 8 | 22 | 6 |
| Take Another Picture | 1983 | 34 | — | — |
| Back into Blue | 1985 | 150 | — | — |
| Girl in the Wind | 1991 | — | — | — |
| Goodbye Uncle Buzz | 2008 | — | — | — |
| Love Is a Road | 2013 | — | — | — |
| A Better World | 2020 | — | — | — |
Compilation albums
- The Best of Quarterflash: The Millennium Collection (1996)
- Harden My Heart: The Best of Quarterflash (1997)
Singles
| Title | Year | US Hot 100 | US Rock | US AC | US CB | AUS | CAN | UK | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Harden My Heart" | 1981 | 3 | 1 | 41 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 49 | Quarterflash |
| "Find Another Fool" | 1982 | 16 | 12 | — | 16 | — | 21 | — | Quarterflash |
| "Right Kind of Love" | 1982 | 56 | — | — | 47 | — | — | — | Quarterflash |
| "Night Shift" | 1982 | 60 | — | — | 57 | — | — | — | Night Shift soundtrack |
| "Take Me to Heart" | 1983 | 14 | 6 | 28 | 15 | — | 19 | — | Take Another Picture |
| "Take Another Picture" | 1983 | 58 | — | — | 64 | — | — | — | Take Another Picture |
| "Talk to Me" | 1985 | 83 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | Back Into Blue |