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’80s actors who also sang

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By Lucie M. Winborne, ReMIND Magazine

It is a truth universally acknowledged that some performers are truly multitalented. These stars delight audiences with their musical talents, as well as their dramatic skills — think old timers like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. In the ’80s there were several stars who dabbled on both sides of the entertainment spectrum, like Madonna and Prince. Unfortunately, it’s equally safe to say that, whether their intentions were good or simply delusional, many of their peers shouldn’t think about quitting their day jobs anytime soon.
Although Scott Baio, best known as Chachi Arcola on Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi, had good looks and an easygoing charm, that couldn’t disguise the fact that he was no Sinatra, even if his debut self-titled album sold enough copies to give RCA the confidence to order a second, The Boys Are Out Tonight. But a promotional visit to the iconic American Bandstand didn’t prevent Baio’s sophomore effort from tanking, though his vocal prowess had improved in the meantime.
The Facts of Life‘s Lisa Whelchel scored a little more commercial success with All Because of You in 1984, notwithstanding a limited vocal range. Featuring perky pop rhythms, deeply earnest lyrics and smooth arrangements, the record has been affectionately described as “’80s cheese with a Christian twist” by one reviewer, while another called its Grammy nomination for Best Inspirational Album “a statement on the sad state of Christian pop that year.”
Cheryl Ladd, a.k.a. Kris Munroe on the hit TV series Charlie’s Angels, had a musical background before pursuing drama, singing with a band called The Music Shop during high school. After the group broke up in Los Angeles, Ladd stayed out west and eventually landed a gig on the cartoon Josie and the Pussycats as a backup singer. Angels stardom helped pave the way to furthering her musical ambitions, and the actress released three albums in the late ’70s and early ’80s, the first of which earned her a gold record for the hit single “Think It Over.”
Rock critics were less than enthused when Epic Records signed Miami Vice star Don Johnson to a deal in the mid ’80s, considering it another celebrity vanity project. Perhaps they were unaware of his coauthorship, with Dickey Betts of Allman Brothers fame, of the song “Can’t Take It With You,” which appeared on the band’s Enlightened Rogues album. Johnson’s Epic debut, Heartbeat, featured appearances by such stalwarts as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ron Wood and Bonnie Raitt, and is still popular in some circles in spite of being considered “derivative and formulaic” in others.
Playing guitar from the age of 14 helped Jack Wagner land the role of rock musician Frisco Jones on General Hospital, and after signing with Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records, Wagner released his debut album, All I Need, under the production expertise of Clif Magness and Glen Ballard. Like Baio, Wagner paid a visit to American Bandstand, but while he released his sixth album in 2014, All I Need remains his sole hit single to date and is still heard on many ’80s radio stations.

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