Real Life

Formed in Australia during the early 1980s, Real Life emerged as a new romantic outfit whose new wave textures echoed the style of Duran Duran. The lineup featured vocalist and guitarist David Sterry alongside drummer Danny Simcic, bassist Allan Johnson, and keyboardist Richard Zatorski. In 1983 the band scored an Australian hit with “Send Me an Angel,” the lead single from their debut album Heartland. By year’s end the track had crossed over internationally, peaking at number 29 on the U.S. charts. Early in 1984 Real Life returned to the American Top 40 with “Catch Me I’m Falling,” yet two years afterward the disappointing commercial and critical reception of their sophomore release Flame cost them their Australian deal.

They stayed with Curb/MCA in the United States, however, and achieved their greatest success in 1989 when a remix of “Send Me an Angel” climbed to number 26. After keyboardist Steve Williams joined the group, Real Life completed the album Lifetime, but it likewise underperformed and left the band without any label. Following a five-year break, they resurfaced in 1996 by issuing the self-released EP Like a Ghost.