Shakin' Street (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Fabienne Shine, Eric Lévi |
| Defunct | 1981 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2004 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Shakin' Street is a rock group originating from Paris, France, established in 1975 by Fabienne Shine and Eric Lévi. The band achieved prominence as an opening act for several leading rock bands between 1979 and 1981 before dissolving that same year. At that time, the ensemble consisted of Jean-Lou Kalinowski on drums, Ross "The Boss" Friedman handling lead guitar duties, and Mike Winter on bass. Fabienne Shine later revived Shakin' Street in 2004, resuming touring activities and album releases.
1975–1981
Initially formed by Fabienne Shine and Eric Lévi, the group was first called Speedball before adopting the name Shakin' Street, a nod to a track by MC5. Despite their French roots, Shine opted to perform in English to boost their marketability. The founding lineup included Corine Marienneau on bass, Louis Bertignac on guitar, and Jean-Lou Kalinowski on drums; prior to recording, Marienneau and Bertignac were replaced by Mike Winter and Armik Tigrane respectively.
Their debut album, Vampire Rock, was released in 1978 via Columbia Records' CBS label and recorded at Olympic Studios in London. This record sold upwards of 25,000 copies within France and was distinguished by its vigorous hard rock sound paired with English lyrics.
In 1979, under the guidance of manager Marc Zermati, Shakin' Street connected with producer Sandy Pearlman who agreed to oversee their subsequent album despite initial doubts. Pearlman took on managerial responsibilities and secured an international contract with Columbia Records. After dismissing Tigrane due to personal conflicts, Pearlman brought in Ross "The Boss" Friedman as the lead guitarist. That year also saw the band perform at San Francisco’s Old Waldorf; this concert was later issued as Scarlet: The Old Waldorf, August 1979 in 2024.
Their sophomore release, self-titled but also referred to as Solid as a Rock, was recorded in San Francisco and launched by Columbia Records in 1980. Critical reception was mixed; some reviewers highlighted its ambiguous blend between punk and heavy metal genres, while others commended the instrumental skills displayed by Shine, Lévi, and Friedman. The album reached number 40 on Sweden’s Sverigetopplistan chart.
To support the album’s launch, Shakin' Street served as the opening act for notable bands such as the Clash, Black Sabbath, and Blue Öyster Cult during the North American Black & Blue Tour. In 1981, Friedman departed to join Manowar, briefly succeeded by Duck MacDonald before internal disputes led to the band's breakup.
2004–present: Reunions
Following the split, Fabienne Shine collaborated with rock outfit Chrome and embarked on a solo career path. Meanwhile, Eric Lévi transitioned into composing for films and co-created the musical project Era.
The band reassembled in 2004 featuring Shine, Friedman, Kalinowski, and Winter. Their reunion concert took place at Paris's renowned Olympia, with guitarist Norbert Krief joining for this event. The comeback attracted favorable media coverage. Since then, Shakin' Street has maintained an active presence through ongoing tours and new album releases alongside their earlier works.
Personnel
Current members
- Fabienne Shine – vocals (1975–1981, 2004–present)
- Ross "The Boss" Friedman – lead guitar, vocals (1979–1981, 2004–present)
- Jean-Lou Kalinowski – drums, percussion (1975–1981, 2004–present)
Former members
- Corine Marienneau – bass guitar (1975–1977)
- Louis Bertignac – guitars (1975–1977)
- Eric Lévi – guitars, vocals (1975–1981)
- Duck MacDonald – guitars (1981)
- Armik Tigrane – guitars (1977–1979)
- Mike Winter – bass guitar (1977–1981, 2004–2009)
- Norbert Krief – guitars (2004)
Discography
Studio Records
- Vampire Rock (1978)
- Shakin' Street (also known as Solid as a Rock; 1980)
- 21st Century Love Channel (2009)
- Psychic (2014)
Concert Albums
- Live (2004)
- Scarlet: The Old Waldorf, August 1979 (2024)
Sources
- {{cite web
|title=SHAKIN' STREET - Shakin' Street - Live - (WK Prod. – 2004) |url=https://www.zicazic.com/zicazine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=4481&Itemid=62 |last=Delforge |first=Fred |website=zicazic.com |date=13 March 2007 |language=French |}