LIVE: They Definitely Sold the Drama

Along with many alternative rock bands that emerged in the ‘90s, LIVE was one of the best. This Pennsylvania-based rock outfit led by Ed Kowalczyk (vocals, guitars), Chad Taylor (guitars), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass), and Chad Gracey (drums). They are said to be disbanded after a two year hiatus and lawsuits against band mates.

Their legacy started when the four original band members performed as a group at a talent show in their hometown. After the said performance, their group remained intact, as they played in gigs and clubs, playing songs from new wave bands of that time. Afterwards, they decided to make their own songs and release an EP entitled ‘The Death of a Dictionary.’ They used different names before they decided to use LIVE as their official band name. In 1992, they released a single ‘Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition),’ off their debut ‘Mental Jewelry’ which made its way to the rock charts.

After that, their second album ‘Throwing Copper’ was a huge success, as it produced several hit singles that landed at the top spot of rock charts all over the U.S. It sold 8 million copies in the U.S. alone. They were also invited to perform at the prestigious stage of Woodstock in 1994, together with famous bands like Metallica, Pearl Jam, Green Day, and many more. They were also featured in MTV’s 120 Minutes tour and MTV Unplugged, a show where Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, and Soundgarden previously performed their hits in an acoustic band setup.

In 1997, ‘Secret Samadhi,’ LIVE’s third album did well. It produced four hit singles, sold more than 2 million copies, and landed on the top spot in its first week of release. Two years after that, their fourth album ‘The Distance to Here’ was released and reached the number four spot on several U.S. music charts. They supported the release of the said album by going on a tour with alternative band Counting Crows, which both bands served as co-headliners.

In 2001, the band tried their luck and released ‘V,’ an experimental album. The album received different reviews and comments among fans and music critics. It did not sell that well compared to the previous albums but it peaked at #22 in the U.S. In 2003, they released ‘Birds of Pray.’ It reached #28 on the charts and produced a single. Afterwards, they released a ‘Best of’ album with additional tracks like cover songs and b-sides.

Notable Songs by LIVE:

• Selling The Drama
• I Alone
• All Over You
• Lightning Crashes
• The Dolphins Cry
• Lakini’s Juice