The Rippingtons

The band's recording career began in 1987 with the release of Moonlighting. The album was well received by critics and consumers and featured the song "She Likes to Watch," which has gone on to become a staple of the band's live set and one of their signature tunes. In January of 1988 the Rippingtons released Kilimanjaro and began to tour more extensively. Mark Portmann, Steve Bailey (replacing Bill Lanphier), and Jeff Kashiwa joined the band, the band then released Tourist In Paradise. The tour for this album featured the group's first visit to Japan. In August of 1990 the album Welcome to the St. James Club was released and became the band's first CD to debut at #1 in the Billboard Charts.

Related Topics:
Moonlighting - Kilimanjaro - Tourist In Paradise - Welcome to the St. James Club - Billboard Charts

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In 1991, Russ Freeman relocated to Colorado and opened Cheyenne Mountain Ranch studios. The move influenced the group's next album, Curves Ahead, which featured songs based on the ski atmosphere in Colorado. Standouts include "Aspen" and the title track.

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In August of 1992, the group released Weekend in Monaco, which, to date, has been one of their best selling albums. Under its release the group toured Europe for the first time and in June of 1993 the U.S. leg of the tour was documented on the album Live in L.A., recorded August of that year at the Greek Theater. A concert video was released in VHS format of the following night's performance at the Ventura Theater.

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Tom Morrocan replaced Mark Portmann in 1994 and in August of that year the band released Sahara. The following tour featured extensive dates in South-east Asia, where the group played Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka (Japan), Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines) as well as Singapore and Guam.

Related Topics:
Sahara - Tokyo - Osaka - Fukuoka - Jakarta - Manila - Singapore - Guam

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In 1995 David Kochanski joined the group and the group made its presence known on the Internet. February of 1996 saw the release of Brave New World, which featured covers of "Aint no Stopping us Now," "Whie my Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Caravan of Love." The album was a stylistic departure for the band and included more Urban Jazz than had appeared on previous releases. David Anderson replaced Tony Morales that year.

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In August of 1997 the group released Black Diamond, their first record on Peak Records in conjunction with Windham Hill. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard. In 1999 Dave Hooper and Ramon Yslas joined the Rippingtons and Jeff Kashiwa was replaced by Paul Taylor. In May of 1999 the group released Topaz, which featured Native American flute work by Robert Tree Cody. Topaz remains one of the groups most requested CD's.

Related Topics:
Black Diamond - Peak Records

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In 2000 Russ Freeman relocated to South Florida and the move was reflected thematically in Life in the Tropics. This was the groups first album to be recorded digitally. In 2001 Scott Bredman, Bill Heller, Dave Karasony, and Eric Marenthial joined the group and the following tour was documented on the live album Live Across America. In 2003 the group released Let It Ripp, featuring the title cut, which became a hit.

Related Topics:
Life in the Tropics - Let It Ripp

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In 2005 the group released Wild Card, which plays on their ongoing Latin influences. The album features guest vocal spots by Latin music stars Willy Chirino, Chante Moore, and Albita.

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