Ever since childhood Michael Franano knew that he wanted to be a musician. He started out playing in cover bands at the age of 14. Eventually Michael went on to front the band Fallen Angel. At one of those early shows Michael met Shane, (The Front's future drummer) who worked the lights at one of those early shows.

The first incarnation of The Front began in Kansas City, Missouri in 1984 with Michael Franano on vocals/bass, brother Bobby Franano on keyboards, and Shane Miller on drums. Other members came and went over the years, but by January 1988 the line-up was set consisting of vocalist Michael Anthony Franano, brother Bobby Franano on keyboards, guitarist Mike Greene, bassist Randy Jordan, and Shane Miller on drums.

Kansas City was a tough place for a band to get a following, as there were no showcasing clubs for bands to play original music. The Front survived by opening up for headlining acts that came through town and by holding their own gigs at the loft they all shared.

GETTING A RECORD DEAL

Once Mike Greene and Randy Jordan joined the band, everything clicked, and The Front knew they were onto something special. The band recorded a demo, and with hopes of getting a record deal, Shane and Michael headed to New York. They spent 4 days there, knocking on record company doors. On the 4th day, Michael got a call from Sire Records and an impromptu meeting took place. Michael and Shane ended up leaving NY with a handshake deal to record a demo for Sire Records.

Fate would intervene on their behalf, however, because in early 1988 their demo came to the attention of McGhee Entertainment, managers of Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and a host of other successful bands. After flying out to Kansas City to see the band play, Scott McGhee signed The Front to McGhee Entertainment which successfully negotiated their deal with Columbia Records.

THE FRONT'S DEBUT

After signing with Columbia in early 1989, the band went to work writing new material. Nine of the 10 songs for the first record were written from December 1988 to March 1989. Recording began in June 1989 at Le Studio in Montreal, Canada with producer Andy Wallace.

The Front's self-titled major label debut was released in October, 1989. "Fire" was the first single, which reached #29 on the Billboard charts. The video for "Fire" received heavy rotation on MTV, and was followed by a video for Le Motion that was released in the spring of 1990.

Refreshingly unique, the album met with many positive reviews. One reviewer said, "(The Front) brews up a heady concoction of thought-provoking lyrics, great musicianship, and an overall sound that sticks to the brain far after the music goes off."

ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Even before the record was available in stores, there was quite a buzz about the band, due in part to their memorable live performances. The Front toured with artists such as Bang Tango, Bonham, Alice Cooper, Lenny Kravitz, and the European Monsters of Rock festival which featured Aerosmith.

A TIME FOR CHANGE

The Front would evolve into Bakers Pink by the time they were working on material for their second album. Click here to continue the story.