Franke and the Knockouts were a New Jersey based band that had some brief success in the early 1980′s.
The group released their self-titled debut album, “Franke and the Knockouts“, in 1981.
That album saw the release of their biggest hit with “Sweetheart” which hit #10 on the Billboard Charts.
The follow-up single was “You’re My Girl” which peaked at #27 on the charts in 1981.
Their second album, “Below the Belt” was released in 1982 and saw the groups third and last hit, “Without You“, which peaked at #24 on the Billboard Charts.
The original members of Franke and the Knockouts were:
Franke Previte – Vocals
Billy Elworthy – Guitar
Blake Levinsohn – Keyboards
Leigh Foxx – Bass
Claude Lehanaff – Drums
Tico Torres, drummer for Bon Jovi, played drums for the group in 1983 and 1984 prior to the formation of Bon Jovi.
Franke Previte co-wrote and composed the hit single “I’ve had the Time of my Life“, sung by Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley, featured in the film “Dirty Dancing“. He won the Academy Award for Best Song at the 1988 Oscars.
