Balance - "Breaking Away"

(Debuted July 11, 1981, Peaked #22, 17 Weeks on the Chart)

Balance was a New York City-based pop-rock group that consisted of Peppy Castro (who was part of the 1960s group The Blues Magoos), guitarist Bob Kulick and keyboardist Doug Katsaros, with bass player Dennis Feldman and drummer Chuck Burgi joining after their self-titled first LP was recorded. Though they only managed one Top 40 hit and two chart singles, the members have contributed to a lot of music as touring performers and session players over the years.

"Breaking Away" was their biggest hit, a very tasty slice of early 1980s pop that was both radio friendly and appealed to the record buyers of the era. Despite Peppy Castro's psychedelic roots, the rest of the band was solidly grounded in the rock style and that showed in their performance of the song.