The brooding
classic rock staple
Lunatic Fringe was the first track on
Red Rider's 1981 album
As Far As Siam. In 1984, the song was featured on the weekly television series
Miami Vice in episode 15
Smugglers Blues and the song was quickly propelled up the music charts. The song stayed number one on the
Billboard Top 40 for six weeks and the album went
platinum in near record time. Later in 1985, the film
Vision Quest also featured this haunting song as a climatic theme and the song was re-released on the soundtrack album. Unfortunately for Red Rider, they never found much success in the United States after this song and the group became a
one hit wonder band.
The performers from Red Rider included:
Rob Baker: Drums,
Harmonica
Peter Boynton:
Piano, Synthesizers, Organ, Vocals.
Tom Cochrane: Lead Vocals, Rhythm,
Guitar.
Ken Greer: Electric, Steel, and Six String Guitars, Piano,
Organ.
Jeff Jones:
Bass Guitar, Background Vocals.
Additional
synthesizers were provided by Peter Wolf.
Sample lyrics:
Lunatic Fringe
I know you're out there
You're in hiding
©1981 Tom Cochrane