Peter Wolf-Lights Out (1984)

 


Artist: Peter Wolf

Title: Lights Out

Label: EMI America

Format: LP

Catalog Number: SJ 17121

Year of Release: 1984

Country and Year of Edition: US 1984

Sell Price: $4.49

Sell Date: 6/16/26

Condition: VG+/VG+ 

Discogs Last Sold: 4/4/26 VG/VG $2.00

Low: $1.11

Median: $4.00

Average: $4.78

High: $18.00

Current low price: $2.00 VG/VG+

Current Number on Sale at Discogs: 45

Have/Want: 366/19

Where Sold: Huntington Beach, CA

Time It Took To Sell:  3 years

Where and When Bought Facebook marketplace lot

Gwiz-gau Letter Grade: B+

Sad To See It Go: No 

The solo debut from Peter Wolf after his divorce from the J. Geils Band in it's commercial peak was "modern" and synth laden with plenty of radio hits from production by Michael Jonzun of the Jonzun Crew.  That meant a pop record from the producer that went on to work with New Kids On The Block. Wolf was among singers that cut their teeth on Soul music of the 50's & 60's and were seeking relevence with 80's R&B production.  Celebrities from all genres are on the record as Wolf knew how to call in favors from Mick Jagger doing backup vocals on "Pretty Lady" to Adrian Belew AND the Cars Elliot Easton on guitar to the P-Funk horns.   Boston R&B hitmaker Maurice Starr also shows up. Don Covay co-wrote the title track.  Wolf was pulling from everywhere past and present: British Rock, Prog, New Wave, Soul, R&B, Hip Hop all had a place on the record.

It did manage to get on Rock radio, especially in Boston where Wolf was local royalty and even WBCN alumni.  Surprisingly, despite commercial radio hits, the record failed to hit RIAA Gold.  It must've came close.  Rolling Stone pushed hard for this one giving it 4 1/2 stars out of the gate.  The pinch point editor prefers this to everything else Peter Wolf ever did and gives this  a straight A.    As for me, I prefer Geils and couldn't quite bring the album I didn't buy when it came out into the A-tier, but I have to admit this one has it's moments and that band whose record I loyally bought instead clearly lost something without him.

The side 2 opener "Crazy" is probably my favorite track on the record.  I forgot about it as a radio hit the way I could instantly recall "Oo-Ee-Diddley-Bop!," "I Need You Tonight," "Baby Please Don't Let Me Go" and the title track.  When he is at the door he's gonna bust in!  Crazy, that's what he is and he doesn't give a damn.  Lights Out shot his shot and in some ways lost on a high stakes gamble.  Wolf wasn't no Michael Jackson and his all-stars were more behind the scenes.  Freeze Frame blew it out of the water by accident in comparison in terms of hit making.

On that level this was complete failure despite total industry backing.

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