Autograph: The Glam Metal Anthem Makers

Autograph is an American glam metal and hard rock band best known for one of the 1980s' most enduring party anthems. Hailing from Los Angeles, the band achieved significant commercial success with their 1984 debut album Sign In Please, which was certified gold by the RIAA.

Early career

Autograph formed in Los Angeles in 1983, assembling a lineup of seasoned local musicians. The founding members were vocalist and rhythm guitarist Steve Plunkett, lead guitarist Steve Lynch, bassist Randy Rand, keyboardist Steven Isham, and drummer Keni Richards.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came swiftly with their 1984 debut album Sign In Please, released on RCA Records. The album's success was driven by the explosive popularity of its lead single, Turn Up the Radio, which became a staple on MTV and rock radio, propelling the album to gold status.

Key tracks

Turn Up the Radio - This signature anthem defined the band's career and became a permanent fixture on 1980s rock playlists.

Send Her to Me - A track showcasing the band's blend of catchy hooks and guitar-driven hard rock.

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Isn't Me - A song exemplifying the humorous, party-centric lyrical style of the glam metal era.

That's the Stuff - Featured on their second album, this song continued their formula of anthemic, radio-friendly rock.

Following their initial success, Autograph released That's the Stuff in 1985 and Loud and Clear in 1987. The band navigated the shifting musical landscape of the late 1980s before eventually disbanding in 1989. They have reunited in various forms in subsequent decades for live performances, celebrating their legacy in the hard rock genre.

Fans of Autograph's energetic glam metal sound also enjoy the work of similar artists from the same era. Quiet Riot helped launch the 80s metal scene with massive chart success. Ratt delivered a similar blend of catchy hooks and guitar shredding from the Los Angeles scene. Dokken offered a more technical, dual-guitar approach within the same glam metal framework. Winger represented the later wave of pop-influenced, technically proficient glam metal.