"I'll Drink to You" by Duke Jupiter

Song#:  0965
Date:  03/27/1982
Debut:  83
Peak:  58
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  This Rochester, New York, outfit began as an instrumental group in 1973. As they gained regional popularity, the band was signed to Mercury and issued a debut album in 1978 called "Sweet Cheeks." They headed out on tour with major acts and their popularity seemed to be enough to get Mercury to fund two more albums. Nothing really came from their three LPs and their Mercury days came to an end. Signing to the CBS affiliated label Coast to Coast, they issued the album "Duke Jupiter 1," which featured this single. It came close to reaching the halfway point on the chart becoming their best showing.

ReduxReview:  I like the charging opening of this tune and the band holds it up throughout the song. It reminds me of a more rocking version of "Sausalito Summernight" by the Dutch group Diesel mixed with a little Southern rock. I think it may have needed a little more oomph to the chorus to take it further, but as-is this is an unexpectedly nice slice of early-80s rock.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  It was around this time that the band reached their peak of popularity in their hometown. They were set to played a Memorial Day concert in 1982 at a local beach park and it was estimated that 5,000 people would attend. However, around 25,000 showed up causing major traffic problems and other issues. The band was scheduled to do a 4th of July concert at a city festival, but the city cancelled their appearance fearing too many people would show up again causing further issues.

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