Formed in 1983 as a 3-piece bar band known as "Steve, Bob, & Rich," these Kansas City rockers became an instant favorite throughout the Midwest. Soon, fans were standing in line to see this trio they described as "energetic," "intense," but most importantly "fun." Within months of finishing their first independent release, "Steve, Bob, and Rich" had signed a multi-album contract with Polygram Records, added a fourth member, and had changed their name to The Rainmakers.
Heralded as "America's Great Next Band" by Newsday, The Rainmakers were soon drenched in critical acclaim. Feature articles in Newsweek, Rolling Stone, CMJ, USA Today and others poured in singing the praises of this hard working Midwest band who provided new life to a traditional rock format.
Critics particularly enjoyed the unique writing style of Bob Walkenhorst, whose talent for choosing unusual and sometimes controversial subjects provided an eye-opening perspective of life, sprinkled with sarcastic humor. The Rainmakers received notoriety for their songs' lyrical content, including Music Connection's award for Lyric Line of the Year: "The generation that would change the world is still looking for its car keys," and in the unlikely source of author Stephen King, who twice quoted lyrics from Rainmakers songs in his best seller "The Tommyknockers," and again in his 1991 novel "Gerald's Game."
But success did not stop at the U.S. borders, as European countries supported the band increasingly with each new release. The song "Let My People Go-Go" gave the Rainmakers their first Top-20 single on the British charts. Critics abroad sang the band's praises, with feature articles in New Musical Express, Kerrang, Rock Power, etc. Frequently, The Rainmakers could be spotted on European television with live appearances on "Top Of The Pops," and "The Tube," and video play on MTV Europe.
European concert dates grew in number each year, with The Rainmakers often enjoying headline status on festival bills. Their reputation as an electrifying concert act eventually led to the recording of a live album at a sold-out show in Oslo, Norway for release solely in Scandinavian markets.
In 1990, after 4 albums, 5 videos, 500,000+ records sold, and concert dates too numerous to count, The Rainmakers put band business on hold to allow time for their personal lives and agendas. In 1994, the band returned to the studio to record a new album, entitled "Flirting With The Universe" - an album which achieved GOLD certification in Norway within 2 months of release.
Overwhelmed by the response to "Flirting...," The Rainmakers reemerged from the studio in 1996 with "Skin." With this effort, Bob Walkenhorst has again proved that no subject matter is too controversial by taking aim at pornography and its societal impact, via his unique perspectives - a Rainmakers trademark. A release, which in true Rainmaker form, is designed to provoke.
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TO PURCHASE ANY ALBUM FROM THE RAINMAKERS GO TO:http://www.villagerecords.com/
Hi Rainmakers! I am a huge fan, Have been since I was a little kid. Thanks for the awesome music, the lyrics are really well done and the music itself is wonderful. :)
We've been fans of you guys (and the solo stuff,too)since way back in the day. I personally missed the Steve, Bob & Rich days [boo-hoo] but when I first heard "Downstream" on KY back in 1986, I distinctly remember saying out loud "Damn, who the hell is this?!!" At the time the record charts and MTV were saturated with a lot of crap (much like now..) and to hear this guitar-centered throwback to the classic sounds of real rock 'n' roll was just a revelation to me. WOW!!! Anyway, we of A ROCKWERK ORANGE are just thrilled to be 'friends' with you all. I don't know who exactly is running this MySpace, but thank you for keeping the name and the memories and the great music alive. Thanks again and...Hoo-Dee-Hoo!!
Hey guys, it's always good to be a freind with the Rainmakers! I saw you guys often in good ol' Springfield MO...from SBandR to the Rains, it was always good stuff. I hope you enjoy my music as well!
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Good to have you guys as friends! My band did a gig years and years ago in Olathe at the Trail Theatre with a group called Steve, Bob and Rich. Was that you all? God Bless!!
