Linear (pronounced: /lɪˈnɪər/; lin-EER[1]) is an American freestyle-pop group from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[2]

Linear
OriginFort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
GenresFreestyle, dance-pop
Years active1989–present
LabelsAtlantic
Futura Records
Raw Records
Hot Records
MembersCharlie Pennachio
Wyatt Pauley
Past membersJoey Restivo
Gerald Rappaport
Mark Acetelli
Ricki Archer
Raul Prestol
Steve Romanello
Phil Conneilly
Michael Dean

The lineup originally consisted of founder, vocalist, and main songwriter Charlie Pennachio, bassist and guitar player Wyatt Pauley, percussion player Joey Restivo, drummer Gerald Rappaport, guitarist Phil Conneilly, and backup vocalist/keyboardist Ricki Archer.[2] In 1989, the band had a hit with the gold single, "Sending All My Love," which was self-released on Futura Records by Pennachio and producer Tolga Katas. After the regional success of the single, founder Charlie Pennachio added the remaining band members Pauley, Restivo, Rappaport, Conneilly and Archer. In January 1990, Linear was signed as a trio after the departure of Rappaport, Conneilly, and Archer by Marc Nathan at Atlantic Records. "Sending All My Love" reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1990. The same year, they released their first, self-titled album, followed in 1992 by their second Caught in the Middle.[3] They had another hit with the single, "T.L.C.", which reached number 30 and was nearly three decades later named one of Rolling Stone's 75 Greatest Boy Band Songs.[4] In subsequent years, the lineup would shuffle many times. Pauley took a brief hiatus from Linear to join his other band, Soko, signed to Atco Records. Pennachio would go on to add Mark Acetelli and Michael Dean to replace Pauley. Pauley would return in 1993, while Restivo would depart. Raul Prestol was then added.

Pennachio and Pauley remain as the current members of the original lineup, while Restivo performs under "Joey from Linear".[2]

Career edit

After Pennachio and Tolga Katas finished recording "Sending All My Love," they would release it on their record label, Futura Records.[2]

Atlantic Records re-released the single that charted in the U.S. Top 5 and earned RIAA Platinum certification. A self-titled album and two singles followed.[2] Since then, Pennachio has become a music executive, manager, hit songwriter & producer.[5]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

Year Album details Positions on parade
CAN USA[6]
1990 Linear
  • Released: March 21, 1990
  • Label: Atlantic Records
37 [7] 52
1992 Caught in the Middle
  • Released: April 28, 1992
  • Label: Atlantic Records
- -
"-" denotes a release that did not make the stop.

Singles edit

Year Single Positions Certifications Album
CAN
[8][9]
US
[10]
NZ
[11]
1990 "Sending All My Love" 20 5 13 USA: Gold[12] Linear
"Don't You Come Cryin'" 70
"Something Going On"
1992 "T.L.C." 43 30 43 Caught in the Middle
"Smile If You Like Sex"
1994 "Let's Go All the Way" 12"/CD Single
"—" denotes a release that did not make the stop.

References edit

  • Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Pop Singles, 1955-2002. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
  1. ^ Brittany Spanos et al. "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time." (65: Linear, "TLC" [1992]) Rolling Stone. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2022. "These boys did not pronounce their name 'LIN-ear,' as in the basic geometry concept. No, they pronounced it 'lin-EER,' as if to rhyme with 'sheer,' 'chandelier,' 'Billy Shakespeare' or 'song of the year.'"
  2. ^ a b c d e Monger, Timothy. "Linear | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  3. ^ "Linear - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  4. ^ Brittany Spanos et al. "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time." (65: Linear, "TLC" [1992]) Rolling Stone. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Charlie "Steele" Pennachio | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  6. ^ "Linear - Linear - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  7. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  8. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  9. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  10. ^ "Linear - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  11. ^ "Archived copy". Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  12. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - November 29, 2014". riaa.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2013.