Mr. Mister

Emerging from the Los Angeles studio-musician circle that also spawned the more aggressive Toto, Mr. Mister achieved a sudden and enormous wave of popularity in the middle of the 1980s by shaping an ethereal, mildly experimental take on glossy, commercially tuned pop and rock. Although their visibility faded nearly as fast as it had appeared, the two chart-topping singles “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie” still rank among the lasting touchstones of mainstream 1980s pop.

Formed in 1982 by bassist and lead singer Richard Page and keyboardist and vocalist Steve George, childhood companions from Phoenix, Arizona, who had already established themselves as seasoned session players, the band grew out of an earlier jazz-fusion project called Pages. That outfit issued three major-label albums between 1979 and 1981, the last of which leaned more toward pop and rock. After persistent commercial shortfalls, repeated lineup changes, and persistent doubts about its artistic path, Pages dissolved by late 1981, sending Page and George back to freelance work that had previously included vocal contributions on Village People recordings and other projects. While supplying songs and backing vocals for REO Speedwagon, John Parr, Chaka Khan, the Pointer Sisters, Donna Summer, Al Jarreau, and Kenny Loggins, the pair conceived the notion of a new group during a tour with Andy Gibb. Guitarist Steve Farris, fresh from engagements with Eddie Money, became the first recruit, followed by drummer Pat Mastelotto, whose résumé included numerous dates for producer Mike Chapman. Page’s cousin, lyricist John Lang, rejoined the creative circle as he had done for Pages, and the quartet quickly secured a contract with RCA after a series of showcase performances.

The debut album I Wear the Face appeared in 1984 and yielded the single “Hunters of the Night,” which stopped short of the Top 40. Sales remained modest, rendering the sudden breakthrough of the follow-up record all the more unexpected. Welcome to the Real World, released in May 1985, refined the group’s mixture of Genesis-inspired pop, layered keyboard atmospheres, subtly spiritual themes, and meticulous production values. Having earlier declined invitations to join Toto and Chicago, Page saw his commitment vindicated when the album’s opening single “Broken Wings” ascended to number one by year’s end after a gradual climb aided by prominent touring slots and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Group. The successor single “Kyrie” repeated the top-chart achievement in March 1986, the same week Welcome to the Real World reached number one on the album survey en route to platinum certification. “Is It Love” also entered the Top Ten, and the band reinforced its standing through multiple award-show and benefit appearances.

Progress on a third album encountered delays when Mastelotto suffered back ailments, after which lyricist Lang relocated to New York for graduate studies. Go On reached stores in fall 1987; its lead single “Something Real (Inside Me/Inside You)” peaked just inside the Top 30 despite exposure on Miami Vice. “Healing Waters” appeared only in Europe yet still garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Duo or Group. “Stand and Deliver,” initially written for Tina Turner, found use in the Edward James Olmos film of the same title, but Go On failed to replicate the commercial traction of its predecessor. Mounting differences between Page and Farris prompted the guitarist’s exit in July 1988. Without a permanent replacement, the remaining members employed Trevor Rabin and Buzzy Feiten for later sessions aimed at a projected fourth album titled Pull. An RCA roster reduction left the band without a label, and the completed recordings proved too progressive and uncommercial for other imprints. By the close of 1989 Mr. Mister had disbanded.

The members’ extensive musical backgrounds guaranteed continued employment. Mastelotto contributed drums to XTC’s Oranges & Lemons and numerous other projects before joining King Crimson in 1994 and forming the progressive and experimental outfit Mastica. Page co-wrote Madonna’s 1994 ballad “I’ll Remember,” which led him to establish 3rd Matinee with producer Patrick Leonard; the group issued one album in 1994 before dissolving the next year, after which Page released his solo debut Shelter Me in 1996 and later contributed to Disney musicals and other vocal engagements. Lang assembled the post-grunge band Djinn, whose album Radio Beirut appeared in 1995. George served as Kenny Loggins’ music director from 1991 to 1997 and subsequently toured with Jewel. Farris joined Whitesnake’s 1997 road itinerary and recorded with Tori Amos among other artists.