The Romantics achieved popularity in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, parts of Asia, Australia, Europe, and Hispanic America on the strength of the band\'s well-crafted pop songs, high energy shows, and their look: from black vinyl to red leather suits in their music videos, inspired by the Motown artists The Temptations and the Four Tops. Their two best-charting songs were "What I Like About You", which peaked at #49 in the US and #2 in Australia, and "Talking in Your Sleep", which peaked at #3 in the US, #1 in Canada, and #14 in Australia. The two have since become mainstays on \'80s, classic rock, AOR, and active rock radio stations.\n', '

The Romantics\' original lineup consisted of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and harmonicist Wally Palmar, lead guitarist and vocalist Mike Skill, bassist and backing vocalist Rich Cole, and drummer and lead vocalist Jimmy Marinos. All four band members made songwriting contributions to the group, but Palmar and Skill were considered the band\'s primary tunesmiths. For three years the band was on the road, playing in east coast and midwestern venues like Boston\'s Rathskeller, CBGB in NYC\'s Bowery, Manhattan\'s Max\'s Kansas City, and Cleveland\'s Agora. They were subsequently signed to Nat Weiss\' Nemperor record label after a show at Hurrahs, and in September 1979, the band recorded their debut self-titled album with British producer Pete Solley. The group\'s true record debut was the 1978 single on Spider Records, "Little White Lies" (b/w "I Can\'t Tell You Anything"), followed that year by the Bomp! single "Tell It to Carrie" (b/w "First in Line"). All of these were re-recorded later for the first LP.\n', '

The album sold roughly 200,000 copies and yielded the hit "What I Like About You", which reached #49 in the US, #8 in the Netherlands, and #2 in Australia, where the band was especially popular. As all four members were singers, the straight-forward beat of "What I Like About You" lended the opportunity for drummer Jimmy Marinos to take the vocals.\n', '

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