"Mirage" by Eric Troyer

Song#:  0266
Date:  07/26/1980
Debut:  92
Peak:  92
Weeks:  2
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  This Indiana native had already been working as a session musician/vocalist when he was signed to Chrysalis Records. This song was his first (and only) single release and it barely registered on the chart - almost a one-week wonder. Along with the single, Troyer had recorded a full album called "String of Pearls," but it was shelved and remains unreleased. But his work as a session musical really took off when he met Jim Steinman, the super-producer behind artist like Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, and others. In addition to his many credits with Steinman, Troyer also worked on major recording like John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" and Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man."

ReduxReview:  I think this is kind of a lost little gem. It's got a great late-70s sound ala Rupert Holmes. And some nice falsetto in the chorus that is not all screamy. Plus the little freaky effects before the end section is cheezy-licious. This is a nice discovery. Too bad the album was not released. Would have been interesting to hear what else he did during these sessions.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Through his connection with Jim Steinman, Troyer met up with Bev Bevans, formerly of the Electric Light Orchestra. When Jeff Lynne disbanded ELO, co-founding member Bevans decided to continue the group and started to form his own ELO. Troyer was selected to be in the group. However, a lawsuit by Lynne kept Bevans from using the original group name so it was adjusted to Electric Light Orchestra, Part II and they would issue a self-titled debut album in 1990.

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