Little River Band

In the 1970s Australia produced two soft-rock giants: Air Supply and the Little River Band. While the former took their cues from "The Air That I Breathe"-era Hollies, L.R.B. filtered their glistening harmonies through the West Coast vibrations of the Eagles and Firefall. As a result, they became the first band from Down Under to make it big here in the States, selling in excess of 25 millions records. Tunes like "Reminiscing," "Lonesome Loser" and "Lady" remain radio staples to this very day. In addition to writing ridiculously catchy pop tunes, the Little River Band's success can be attributed to a hellish tour schedule. Between 1975 and '85, most of the band's days were spent wandering the planet, playing one sold-out gig after another. There was a downside to this, however: incessant personnel changes, which have created a mildly surreal situation. While an act called the Little River Band continues to tour, the dudes who actually formed the band and wrote all the hits (Beeb Birtles, Glenn Shorrock and Graham Goble) no longer control the rights to the band name. Thus, they are forced to perform under their own names whenever the occasional reunion concert presents itself.