enuff z'nuff

ENUFF Z'NUFF
Formed 1985, U.S.A.

Albums:
1989 Enuff Z'Nuff
1991 Strength
1993 Animals With Human Intelligence
1994 1985
1995 Tweaked
1996 Peach Fuzz
1997 Seven
1998 Live
1999 Paraphernalia
2000 10
2002 Welcome To Blue Island
2004 Favorites
2004 "?"
2006 Greatest Hits

History:
When Enuff Z'Nuff hit the mainstream in 1989 they were (unfairly) lumped into the hair metal genre that was massive at the time. But the group transcended that genre with their vocal harmonies and pop sensibilities. Really nothing more than an exceptional pop-rock band, the hard rock categorization of Enuff Z'Nuff proved to be both a blessing and a curse.
Friends Donnie Vie (vocals/guitar) and Chip Z'Nuff (bass/vocals) formed Enough Z'Nuff in Chicago, Illinois in 1985. The band quickly recorded a demo, and with the addition of Derek Frigo (guitar, ex-LeMans) and Vikki Foxx (drums) promptly changed their name to Enuff Z'Nuff. After years of working their way through the club circuit the major labels finally came calling, leading to a deal with Atco Records. Their self-titled debut proved to be a surprise success spawning two hit singles in "New Thing" and the ballad "Fly High Michelle". However their glam image on their videos was often at odds with their Cheap Trick meets The Beatles sound, causing some people to take more interest in the look than the actual music.





Enuff Z'Nuff toned down their image for 1991's Strength, but it was unable to reach the same level of popularity as the debut. To make matters even worse, the genre in which they were falsely thrown into was about to self-destruct, taking Enuff Z'Nuff down with it. With the band's future looking darker by the minute, drugs and alcohol began to take their toll, resulting in Frigo leaving the group for a short time. With the members getting their vices under control (momentarily) they went back into the studio to record the third album. Foxx jumped ship after recording his drum tracks for Animals With Human Intelligence to join Vince Neil who had recently split from Motley Crue. With new drummer Ricky Parent, Enuff Z'Nuff hit the road opening for Poison, but with the influx of grunge few people were listening.

Drug abuse and infighting led to Frigo leaving for good in 1994 and original guitarist Gino Martino returned to the fold. The band wanted to release a double album but instead decided on splitting the recordings onto two albums, Tweaked and the more eclectic tunes being released as Chip & Donnie's Brothers (later reissued as Seven). By 1996 Martino could no longer fulfill touring obligations and guitarist Johnny Monaco became the newest member. However the band faced some huge setbacks after the release of Welcome To Blue Island; Donnie Vie left to pursue a solo career and then with rumors of a reunion circulating Derek Frigo passed away from an accidental drug overdose on May 28, 2004 followed by Ricky Parent who lost his battle with cancer on October 27, 2007. The remaining three members continue to tour, but with Chip Z'Nuff joining Adler's Appetite in late 2005 the future of Enuff Z'Nuff is anyone's guess.

Links:
The Official Enuff Z'Nuff Page