Red Rider

Red Rider / Tom Cochrane & Red Rider
Industry	Music
Founded	1975 in Toronto, Canada
Founder	Ken Greer, Peter Boynton, Rob Baker, Arvo Lepp, Jon Checkowski
Defunct	1990 (initial disbandment)
Fate	Reformed in 2002; active since
Headquarters	Toronto, Canada
Area served	Canada, United States
Key people	Tom Cochrane, Ken Greer, Jeff Jones, John Webster
Products	Music albums, singles

Red Rider, which later adopted the name Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, is a Canadian rock ensemble that gained prominence during the 1980s. Although they achieved considerable success within Canada, they did not break into the US top 40 charts; nonetheless, their song "Lunatic Fringe" from the 1981 album As Far as Siam received extensive airplay on American album-oriented rock stations. They also appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 with "White Hot" from their 1979 debut Don't Fight It and "Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me)" off 1984's Breaking Curfew. Additional tracks such as "Big League", "Human Race", and "Power" from their 1983 release Neruda enjoyed notable AOR radio exposure.

Formation as Red Rider

Originating in Toronto in 1975, Red Rider's original lineup consisted of Peter Boynton (keyboards, vocals), Ken Greer (guitars, keyboards), Rob Baker (drums), Arvo Lepp (guitar), and Jon Checkowski (bass). The group performed both original compositions and covers within the local music scene.

In 1978, Capitol Records recommended including singer, guitarist, and songwriter Tom Cochrane. After rehearsals, Boynton, Greer, and Baker supported integrating Cochrane into the band; however, Lepp and Checkowski departed. Jeff Jones—previously associated with Ocean and briefly with Rush—joined as bassist. This configuration—Cochrane, Boynton, Greer, Baker, and Jones—secured a deal with Capitol Records and released their debut album Don't Fight It in October 1979. The singles "White Hot" and "Don't Fight It" contributed to the album achieving gold certification.

Their sophomore effort, As Far as Siam (June 1981), included the well-known track "Lunatic Fringe," distinguished by Greer's steel guitar work. This song featured in the 1985 movie Vision Quest, was showcased on MTV and in an episode of Miami Vice, and continues to be a staple on classic rock radio stations across the United States.

For their third album, Neruda (March 1983), keyboardist Steve Sexton replaced Boynton. Songs such as "Napoleon Sheds His Skin" and "Human Race" garnered significant US FM radio attention, with "Human Race" becoming their second most recognizable US hit after "Lunatic Fringe". Moreover, "Can't Turn Back" was incorporated into an episode of Miami Vice.

On the follow-up album Breaking Curfew (September 1984), John Webster took over keyboard duties from Sexton. This release did not match the commercial success of Neruda, leading to conflicts with manager Bruce Allen regarding the band's future direction. These tensions resulted in Jeff Jones and Rob Baker leaving the group. Despite these challenges, the album featured their highest-charting single in the US, "Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me)", which peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Transition to Tom Cochrane & Red Rider

The band officially rebranded as Tom Cochrane & Red Rider comprising Cochrane, Greer, Webster, and new bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve. Their fifth studio album—and first under this new name—was the self-titled Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, released in May 1986. Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales and Metalworks Studios in Ontario, it featured session drummer Graham Broad and was produced by Patrick Moran. Subsequently, Randall Coryell and guitarist Peter Mueller joined for live shows, expanding the ensemble to six members through early 1990.

In 1987, Capitol issued a compilation titled Over 60 Minutes with Red Rider, encompassing tracks from their initial four albums. That same year marked a milestone as the band won Group of the Year at the Junos after receiving eleven nominations.

The 1988 release Victory Day included "Big League," a song inspired by the tragic death of a young hockey player. This track became a significant hit in Canada, reaching number four on the charts, while also breaking into the US rock radio top ten.

Their final studio effort, The Symphony Sessions (December 1989), featured collaborations with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The group disbanded in early 1990; Tom Cochrane then embarked on a prosperous solo career, retaining Webster and Sinnaeve as part of his backing band.

In 1993, a comprehensive three-CD collection entitled Ashes to Diamonds was released, compiling works from both Red Rider and Cochrane’s solo catalog.

Reformation (2002–present)

In 2002, Cochrane, Greer, and Jones came together once more for a benefit show following the untimely passing of their former guitar technician. From that point onward, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider have embarked on annual tours, with Cochrane, Greer, and Jones forming the core lineup. Keyboardist Webster was involved between 2003 and 2006; drummer Davide Direnzo and guitarist Bill Bell joined the ensemble in 2006. Bell took a break from the group between 2012 and 2016 before rejoining.

The song "Lunatic Fringe" achieved further recognition as the entrance theme for professional wrestler Kurt Angle in TNA as well as for UFC competitor Dan "Hendo" Henderson.

Members

Current members

Ken Greer – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1975–1990, 2002–present)
Tom Cochrane – lead vocals, guitar (1978–1990, 2002–present)
Jeff Jones – bass guitar, backing vocals (1978–1985, 2002–present)
Davide Direnzo – drums (2006–present)
Bill Bell – guitar (2006–2011, 2017–present)

Former members

Rob Baker – drums (1975–1985)
Peter Boynton – keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (1975–1982)
Jon Checkowski – bass guitar (1975–1978)
Arvo Lepp – guitar (1975–1978)
Steve Sexton – keyboards, synthesizers (1982–1984)
John Webster – keyboards, synthesizers (1984–1989, 2003–2006)
Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve – bass guitar (1985–1990)
Randall Coryell – drums (1986–1990)
Peter Mueller – guitar (1986–1989)
Jamie Oakes – guitar (2002–2006)
Randall "Mongo" Stoll – drums (1998–2019)
Troy Feener – drums (2002–2006; 2009 as substitute for Direnzo)
Gary Craig – drums (2007 and 2009 as substitute for Direnzo)

Timeline

As Red Rider

Don't Fight It (1979) – Certified Platinum in Canada
As Far as Siam (1981) – Certified Platinum in Canada
Neruda (1983) – Certified Platinum in Canada
Breaking Curfew (1984)

Tom Cochrane & Red Rider

Tom Cochrane and Red Rider (1986) – Certified Platinum in Canada
Victory Day (1988) – Certified Platinum in Canada
The Symphony Sessions (1989) – Certified Platinum in Canada

Compilation albums

Over 60 Minutes with Red Rider (1987)
Ashes to Diamonds (1993)
Trapeze: The Collection (2002)

Singles

(Note: The above table rows should be properly formatted with data aligned as per the original layout.)

External links

Year	Title	CAN	AUS	US	US Main	Album
1980	"White Hot"	20	—	48	—	Don't Fight It
1980	"Don't Fight It"	75	—	103	—	Don't Fight It
1981	"What Have You Got To Do"	42	—	—	—	As Far as Siam
1981	"Lunatic Fringe"	—	52	—	11	As Far as Siam
1983	"Human Race"	29	—	—	11	Neruda
	"Power (Strength in Numbers)"	—	—	—	13
	"Crack the Sky (Breakaway)"	—	—	—	39
1984	"Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me)"	44	—	71	13	Breaking Curfew
1984	"Breaking Curfew"	93	—	—	—	Breaking Curfew
1986	"Boy Inside The Man"	25	—	—	17	Tom Cochrane and Red Rider
1986	"The Untouchable One"	70	—	—	48