Moving Pictures

Pub rock and R&B-influenced Moving Pictures are best remembered for their power ballad "What About Me?," which shot the band to number one in Australia in 1982. Formed by singer Alex Smith and writer Gary Frost, they signed with Wheatley management in 1981 and released two singles, "Walls" and "Bustin Loose." Their debut album, Days of Innocence, was released in October 1981, but it wasn't until the release of the number one single "What About Me?" in January 1982 that Days of Innocence also topped the charts. "What About Me?" went on to win the Best Single Award at the 1982 Countdown Awards. Mark Meyer then replaced original drummer Paul Freeland. U.S. label Elektra signed the band and released "What About Me?" in the U.S., where it reached number 19 on the charts, but on the eve of a U.S. tour that included support dates for Tom Petty, Hall and Oates, and REO Speedwagon, Elektra collapsed and the tour was cancelled. Moving Pictures' second album, Matinee, was released in October 1983 and reached number 16 in Australia. With a strong live following, the band toured Japan before band problems saw Frost leave and eventually form 1927. Joey Amenta served as a temporary replacement for Frost until Kevin Bennett joined the lineup. Moving Pictures toured for three more years and, following the Last Picture Show tour in May 1987, disbanded. A live album, Last Picture Show, was released in December 1987.
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