Giant: The Arena Rock Titans of the Late 80s

Giant is an American hard rock band that achieved significant commercial success at the turn of the 1990s. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the group is best known for their 1989 debut album "Last of the Runaways," which spawned a major hit single and achieved gold certification.

Early career

Giant formed in 1987, bringing together seasoned musicians from the American rock scene. The core lineup featured vocalist and keyboardist Dann Huff, guitarist David Huff, bassist Mike Brignardello, and drummer Alan Pasqua, with Dann Huff already an established session guitarist.

Their polished sound and melodic songwriting quickly attracted industry attention. This led to a deal with A&M Records, a major label with a strong rock roster, which set the stage for their debut release.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived in 1989 with their first album, "Last of the Runaways." The power ballad "I'll See You in My Dreams" became a massive radio and MTV hit, propelling the album to sell over 500,000 copies and earn a gold record certification in the United States.

This success was solidified by strong chart placements, with the album reaching the Top 40 on the Billboard 200. The single's popularity made Giant a staple on rock radio and established them as a new force in the melodic rock genre.

Key tracks

I'll See You in My Dreams — This power ballad was the band's biggest hit, driving their debut album to gold status and defining their sound for a wide audience.

Innocent Days — Another key single from their debut that showcased the band's knack for anthemic choruses and polished production.

Chained — A track highlighting the band's harder-edged, guitar-driven rock capabilities alongside their melodic sensibilities.

Stay — A prominent track from their 1992 sophomore album "Time to Burn," demonstrating their continued focus on strong songwriting.

Following their initial success, Giant released their second album, "Time to Burn," in 1992 on Epic Records. While it maintained their signature sound, shifting musical trends impacted its commercial performance. The band disbanded shortly after but has reunited for occasional tours and new music in subsequent decades, maintaining a loyal fanbase within the melodic rock community.

For fans of Giant's brand of anthemic, guitar-driven rock, several similar artists emerged from the same era. Bad English featured a similar blend of powerful vocals and polished AOR songcraft. White Snake shared the same blues-inflected hard rock foundation and arena-sized ambitions. Mr. Big combined technical musicianship with accessible melodic hooks, much like Giant. Winger also operated in the same late-80s pop-metal sphere with a focus on strong vocal melodies.

The music of Giant remains in regular rotation on classic rock FM stations and dedicated hair metal radio streams. Their signature hits are frequently featured on programming blocks celebrating the peak era of arena rock, ensuring their sound reaches both nostalgic listeners and new audiences exploring the genre.

Listeners can discover the anthems of Giant on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to our curated rock channels to hear their classic tracks and experience the enduring appeal of this American hard rock band.