April Ames and the Dames
1977-1978
April Ames - lead vocal
Allyson Laukkanen - bass
Ruby Rudman - keyboard
Ronnie Lee - guitar
Terri O'Brien - bass
Pam Kahler - guitar
Teresa Woo - keyboard
Dave Tasker - guitar
Emily Geballe - bass
April Ames had been searching for female musicians to back her as a lead singer in her band was based out of Reno, Nevada. Playing clubs and lounge bars was a departure for Marlene Peterson after years in hard rock bands. Barry Manilow tuned were very popular with the casino crowd. The musical genre wasn't the only departure. While Vixen and Wild Cherry both had founding members that laid proprietary claim to certain aspects of each band, but the bands themselves functioned on group input. April had sole control over her dames. She chose the music and even had costumes created so that all her musicians dressed the same.
Risque
1978
Emily Geballe - bass
Dave Tasker - guitar
Ruby Rudman - keyboardApril eventually moved on to pursue other goals and the remaining members renamed the band Risque. They spent some time in Mississippi, especially in the Biloxi area. Along the way, they exchanged the mellower sounds of the night club circuit for rock music. No more Barry Manilow.
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