Beau Coup

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Beau Coup

| image =

| caption =

| alt =

| image_size =

| landscape =

| origin = Cleveland, Ohio

| genre = Pop, rock

| years_active = {{flatlist|

1983–1990s
2015–present }}

| label = Agora, Rock 'n Roll, Scotti Brothers, Amherst

| website = {{URL|beaucoupband.com}}

| past_members =

}}

File:Born & Raised on Rock & Roll Album Cover.png

File:Born & Raised on Rock & Roll Album Cover back.png

Beau Coup is an American rock band from Cleveland, Ohio.

History

Beau Coup began in the year of 1983 as a recording project and performed under the name Pop Opera. They changed their name to Beau Coup at the end of 1984. The project was started by vocalist Tommy Amato (not to be confused with the prolific session drummer of the same name, also from Cleveland),[http://coolcleveland.com/2015/09/local-drummer-tommy-amatos-rock-relief-pays-it-forward-hrrocksinonp/ "Local Drummer Tommy Amato’s Rock Relief Pays It Forward @HRRocksinoNP" @CoolCleveland.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312071006/http://coolcleveland.com/2015/09/local-drummer-tommy-amatos-rock-relief-pays-it-forward-hrrocksinonp/ |date=2017-03-12 }} Retrieved 3-11-2017. guitarist Mike McGill and drummer Eric Singer. Eventually, Amato invited keyboardist and songwriter Dennis Lewin to join the project while he was playing in a band called Jonah Koslen and the Heroes.{{cite web |author=Jonah Koslen |url=http://www.jonah.com.co/jonah-koslen-and-the-heroes |title=Jonah Koslen and the Heroes |publisher=Jonah.com.co |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2014-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226063959/http://www.jonah.com.co/jonah-koslen-and-the-heroes |url-status=live }}

In that same year after the Heroes disbanded, Lewin, Tommy's older brother Frank and Bill March joined the project. With the help from Henry LoConti Sr. and Henry LoConti Jr., proprietors of the Agora Theatre and Ballroom and the "Agora Record Label", the band released their 6 song EP titled Beau Coup, known as their (White Album){{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWAAm34yCpYC&q=songs+dennis+lewin+wrote&pg=PA365 |title=Flashbacks to Happiness: Eighties Music Revisited |author=Randolph Michaels |publisher=iUniverse |isbn=978-0595370078 |year=2004 |page=365 |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2021-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031203455/https://books.google.com/books?id=fWAAm34yCpYC&q=songs+dennis+lewin+wrote&pg=PA365 |url-status=live }} which featured mostly Lewin's songs.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/born-raised-on-rock-roll-mw0000194573 |title=Born & Raised (On Rock & Roll) – Beau Coup | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2019-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608212841/https://www.allmusic.com/album/born-raised-on-rock-roll-mw0000194573 |url-status=live }} The first single released from that EP was "Still In My Heart"{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpwN3HEsmXQ |title=Beau Coup – Still In My Heart – [STEREO |publisher=YouTube |date=2010-12-02 |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2014-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630082129/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpwN3HEsmXQ |url-status=live }} which was authorized for airplay by 98.5 WGCL's WNCX General Manager and Program Directors. The song became a top 10 record on the station.{{cite web |url=http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/Wiki2.htm |title=Fact Check for Wikipedia |publisher=Dennislewinmusic.com |access-date=2014-02-24 |archive-date=2014-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223043350/http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/Wiki2.htm |url-status=live }} Subsequently Rock 'n Roll Records, a subsidiary of Scotti Brothers Records signed the band and the song was distributed by CBS Records in the year of 1984.{{cite web |url=http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/StillinmyheartRocknRoll.htm |title=Still in my heart Rock n Roll |publisher=Dennislewinmusic.com |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2014-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327235035/http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/StillinmyheartRocknRoll.htm |url-status=live }} Program Director John Gorman (radio) at WMMS also took great interest in Beau Coup and gave them extensive airplay and invited them to participate in many station events as well.({{ISBN|978-1886228474}}) {{cite book|last=Gorman|first=John|title=The Buzzard: Inside the Glory Days of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio—a Memoir|date=August 2008|page=262|isbn=9781598510515|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OBTxgRf-BrQC&q=wmms+beau+coup&pg=PA262|access-date=2021-10-31|archive-date=2021-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031203456/https://books.google.com/books?id=OBTxgRf-BrQC&q=wmms+beau+coup&pg=PA262|url-status=live}}

After much struggle with Scotti Brothers Records and after being released by the label, the Beau Coup "Born & Raised on Rock & Roll" album, CD, and cassette were finally released on the Amherst Record label in the USA and on A&M Records of Canada{{Cite web |url=http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/SweetRachelAMFactcheckWikipedia.htm |title=SweetRachelA&MFact checkWikipedia |access-date=2015-06-11 |archive-date=2015-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213542/http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/SweetRachelAMFactcheckWikipedia.htm |url-status=live }} and Europe in 1987.

The song “Sweet Rachel”{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM9Fo6VB6dI |title=Beau Coup – Sweet Rachel – [STEREO |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-04-04 |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2014-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630083810/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM9Fo6VB6dI |url-status=live }} written by Dennis Lewin, reached #80{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-11-14|title=Billboard Hot 100: November 14, 1987|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 20, 2021|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520103909/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-11-14|url-status=live}} on the “Billboard Hot 100” singles chart and received much radio and video play internationally. Other Lewin songs including “Still in my Heart”,{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpwN3HEsmXQ|title=Beau Coup – Still In My Heart – [STEREO]|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2016-11-29|archive-date=2015-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402174200/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpwN3HEsmXQ&app=desktop|url-status=live}} “Somewhere Out in the Night” and “Born & Raised on Rock & Roll” {{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Mg3QvI28g|title=Beau Coup ~ Born and Raised on "Rock and Roll"|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2016-11-29|archive-date=2016-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510061332/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Mg3QvI28g|url-status=live}} were all picked by Billboard as “Hot Picks” {{cite web |url=http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/Wiki2.htm |title=Wiki2 |publisher=Dennislewinmusic.com |access-date=2014-02-24 |archive-date=2014-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223043350/http://www.dennislewinmusic.com/Wiki2.htm |url-status=live }} along with a video which was played on video shows in the US and abroad, including MTV and USA Video Hits.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM9Fo6VB6dI |title=Beau Coup – Sweet Rachel |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-04-04 |access-date=2014-02-24 |archive-date=2014-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630083810/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM9Fo6VB6dI |url-status=live }}

Although Beau Coup disbanded in the early 1990s, from time to time they reunite to perform for several special events.{{cite news |title=Beau Coup Singer Frank Amato Hosts Cleveland All-Star Benefit @ Music Box |url=https://coolcleveland.com/2019/12/beau-coup-singer-frank-amato-hosts-cleveland-all-star-benefit-music-box/ |work=coolcleveland.com}}

Because of the Beau Coup song "Jane" which Lewin wrote about the legendary rock music critic Jane Scott, they were invited to perform at her memorial service which was held at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 2011.

=Constant members=

Tommy Amato{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBCZvsVKomwC&q=beau+coup+cleveland+connection&pg=PA428 |title=Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection |author=Deanna R. Adams |year=2002 |page=428 |isbn=9780873386913 |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2021-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031203456/https://books.google.com/books?id=LBCZvsVKomwC&q=beau+coup+cleveland+connection&pg=PA428 |url-status=live }} ~ Lead Vocals / Background Vocals
Frank Amato ~ Lead Vocals / Background Vocals
Dennis Lewin ~ Keyboards / Background Vocals / Percussion
Bill March ~ Bass Guitar / Background Vocals
Donald Krueger ~ Drums

=Notable members=

Tim Pierce – (1984) – Guitar{{cite web |author=Tim Pierce |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tim-pierce-mn0000593316/credits |title=Tim Pierce | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-date=2014-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808011607/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tim-pierce-mn0000593316/credits |url-status=live }}
Eric Singer – DrummerHeaton, Michael. Kiss drummer Eric Singer: Heavy metal hometown hero "The Plain Dealer" September 12, 2012 at 6:00 AM{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/arts/2012/09/kiss_drummer_eric_singer_heavy.html|title=Kiss drummer Eric Singer: Heavy metal hometown hero|first1=Michael|last1=Heaton|first2=The Plain|last2=Dealer|date=September 12, 2012|website=cleveland|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031203458/https://www.cleveland.com/arts/2012/09/kiss_drummer_eric_singer_heavy.html|url-status=live}}
Mike McGill ~ Guitars
John Franks ~ Drums
Jimmy Clark ~ Drums
Billy Sullivan ~ Guitar / Background Vocals
Danny Powers ~ Guitar
Paul Sidoti – Guitar / Background VocalsTaylor Swift Guitarist Paul Sidoti{{Cite web|url=https://theswiftagency.com/profiles/the-agency/paul-sidoti/|title=Agency Profile: Paul Sidoti|date=February 15, 2011|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414053917/https://theswiftagency.com/profiles/the-agency/paul-sidoti/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/music/2015/02/beau_coup_memories_abound_as_c.html|title=Beau Coup: Memories abound as Cleveland band reunites for 30th anniversary show at Rocksino (gallery)|first1=Chuck|last1=Yarborough|first2=The Plain|last2=Dealer|date=February 9, 2015|website=cleveland|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031203458/https://www.cleveland.com/music/2015/02/beau_coup_memories_abound_as_c.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.paulsidoti.net/Home_Page.html |title=Paul Sidoti Website |access-date=2015-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522015150/http://www.paulsidoti.net/Home_Page.html |archive-date=2015-05-22 |url-status=dead }}
Paul Wolf Christensen ~ Sax / Keyboards / Background Vocals
Debi Lewin ~ Background Vocals
Jennifer Lee ~ Background Vocals
Rodney Psyka ~ Percussion and Background Vocals
Michael P. Tyler ~ Background Vocals / Background Keyboards / Keyboard Tech

=Single releases=

"Still In My Heart" Agora Records – AG 82734-1 (1984) out of print
"Still In My Heart" Rock 'n' Roll Records/Scotti Brothers, Entertainment/CBS, Inc. – ZS4 04632-3 (1984) out of print
"Somewhere Out In The Night" Rock 'n' Roll Records/Scotti Brothers, Entertainment/CBS, Inc. – ZS4 04768-3 (1985) out of print