Saraya

In 1987 vocalist Sandi Saraya and keyboardist Gregg Munier launched this American rock outfit, which first operated under the name Alsace Lorraine. Guitarist Tony Rey, bassist Gary Taylor and drummer Chuck Bonfarte later joined the lineup, leading the group to adopt the moniker Saraya. Taking cues from Heart, the Pretenders and Pat Benatar, the band delivered its self-titled debut on PolyGram Records, a glossy and tuneful batch of AOR material defined by Sandi’s theatrical yet engaging vocal approach. Internal tensions caused Rey and Taylor to exit in 1990, after which Tony Bruno and Barry Dunaway stepped in to fill those positions. The 1991 follow-up When The Blackbird Sings likewise failed to gain traction.