If it wasn't for Bands Reunited I doubt the original members of Berlin would be performing today. That show brought Terri, David & John back together! Shame they couldn't do the same for ABC and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Glad they got Flock of Seagulls back together for at least one show! And Romeo Void well what can you say Instincts was one of the best albums of the 80's!
@@44kickinit Id like to live in a universe where theres a "reuniting 'reuniting the band'" where the first episode is a new crew assembling amir and the old crew together, to then go reunite old bands.
This one’s different. This was a band that was alive then the industry’s toxic ideas busted them up, killed ‘em. Like siblings dispersed in an ugly parental divorce. They were all happy to see each other again. This reunion has such heartbreaking overtones, a band that didn’t break up, they were busted up. Like a murder. And all those lost years they could have flourished.
Precisely. This is why it is so important to be true to your principles. It’s as much their fault as the execs. Don’t give in. Give up the idea of fame, and money, when you are forced to make a choice like this. No excuses. They were so unique, so original. No one gave a damn about her looks or her weight, in fact, except, of course, for the tone deaf executives, who still, to this day, believe they have their finger on the pulse of the average consumer, fan, and audience. They never have and never will. They simply reflect their own twisted values, onto us, pretending we are the mindless idiots, they pretend we are.
RIP dear Benjamin 12-13-2022 Your sweet heart, generous soul and wonderfully talented self will be missed by so many. Joy to you and your heavenly reunion with your darling brother Andy, and your parents who all suffered from Alzheimer's too. Play on Benjamin, play on. 🎷🥰
OMG my heart SANK reading this post. You can tell he was just the sweetest and most humble man. His sax playing was an essential fabric to the sound of the 1980s. Rest in power dear sir.
I remember when Never say never came out. It was unique. Authentic. Me and my friends thought they'd be a big band. Later we were all like WTF? Where'd they go? Makes you wonder how many great bands got squashed by record companies before they even hit once. And she's still got it. She's a rocker.
More bands than you would ever care to imagine. The record industry is full of seriously messed up people.The band I was in in the late 80's was really doing well, with a large following. Then the record company stepped in, made tons of promises, threw huge parties....and then proceeded to turn every member of an awesome band into enemies, by telling each of us we needed to be the leader. It got so bad that a couple of us completely quit music for close to 20 years because we were so disgusted with the entire process. We also had front row seats to many awesome bands having to go the same route. The only thing the record companies care about is their bank accounts and using talented people to fill those accounts. The truly messed up thing is that it all happens so fast. You really don't realize what is happening until it has already happened.
At 8:20. Frank said it best. The industry doesn't care about the band. All about them screwing artists out of their money. Would have been cool to hear more records come from RV!! Best era of music ever!!
Ben Bossi, in the midst of his hearing loss, played a show with Romeo Void for my former-Partner's last wish. Louie Beeson was my Partner for many years. He was also Romeo Void's live soundman for practically the length of their existence. Louie's wish was to mix one show with Romeo Void at the club where he had been employed in San Francisco, called Slim's. At that point, Louie had lost almost his entire vision but he was a trooper and his ears were magnificent!. Ben followed through and I'll never forget Ben for doing that! Louie died in late October of 1992.
I was at that show at Slim’s! I was standing right in front of Debora … she leaned over and kissed me bc she saw me singing along to every song. My idols. ❤
I spent an hour bringing up all I could on Debora. Couple things; A huge salute to all the band members of Romeo Void, an equally huge thumbs down to Columbia records... makes me sorry I gave them any of my hard earned money. We all want to believe the nearly 40 years has brought forth a better world... at 62 I am not so certain. Debora if you read this I say write a book!! Tell the world how shitty Columbia treated you (and the band). And thanks vh1, not only a well made documentary, but you made us realize nothing beats the original
It’s on them, in the end, for compromising. It always is. Blame is useless, if you don’t start with yourself. Lots of bands refused to compromise during this time, like The Smiths, The Replacements and so many more, and it eventually led to the complete destruction of the corporate music cabal, in 1991-92 with the success of Nirvana. It’s up to us, to stick to our guns, and be strong enough to take the hits that come. Some of us, won’t reap the rewards, but it is worth it, for those who will, and because of the principle. It’s the right thing to do. Their own sax player, buys into the b.s. fed to them by idiots in suits who know nothing about music fans, and allowed himself to give a shit, compromise his own integrity, because some nerd, like Clive Davis, walked out on their performance. It’s the truth, we all know, but won’t admit, because we are slaves to the money and the fame, not to the integrity of the product itself. That’s their weakness. We can choose to be stronger than this. Many bands were.
I'm a M-68 here in 2023. I still have a Romeo Void CASSETTE TAPE in my garage....crammed in a shoebox with a 101 other tapes. Obviously, I'm an older BOOMER and never got into MTV or VH1 etc. I'm just a hard-rockin' guy....been so since the early 1960's. I gotta be honest here....I surfed into this quite by fate....and it has been nothing short of 110% FANTASTIC. So very well done. Done with class and good taste.....and not a bunch of horse-crap hype that so often comes along with these types of things. Thank you VH-1.....This was time well spent. God Bless Romeo Void's members for having the stones to say YES to a very tough proposition put before them....and God Bless us all.....jbeinarizona
Ben Bossi is still awesome. His was some of the best saxophone playing during the '80s, and even though he can't perform any longer, his legacy as a musician is secure just on the basis of what he recorded. Listen to "Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)" and anyone can appreciate his genius.
Yeah, here you got a great session sax player filling in and it’s just not the same. It’s a great object lesson in timbre and how an artist effects the instrument. ❤️ Ben Bossi!
@@garboil Ben had such very cool energy that projected out into the audience. I'm truly sorry that it affected his hearing, but after reading quotes from him and what he went through, the guy suffered for it. I wish him luck! He's not doing too bad, it seems and he still looks great!
One of my favorite bands that I thought would be bigger than they were because the music was really unique and different...Say No is still one of my all time favorite songs.
I have tinnitus, and perfect pitch. A lot of people who can play by ear, also have tinnitus. Maybe he’s a bit over dramatic. Shove the plugs in, and play.
This was my favorite, most touching "Band Reunited" ever produced. The chemistry is what makes the band. I still have my cassette that I bought all those years ago :)
Benjamin was an amazing looking man. Great face. So chiseled. A great sax player too, with a big heart. The fact that he couldn’t play was heartbreaking. And yes, he and Deborah really felt like the front line of the band. Great music and band.
Being a musician with tinnitus, I have to admire the strength he has to NOT play. I’m going deaf and I’ll still play, knowing damn well the damage I’m doing. I have nothing but admiration for him.
Bands Reunited was such a great concept for a show, VH1.. It is such an amazing gift - to reunite people that once had a singular chemistry as a group and bringing them together to allow That Special Something to ignite once again. The emotions are palpable and experienced by not only the band but by their fans. Thank you, VH1....Can you do it again, please?
Excellent. Such an innovative one of a kind band. Fuck Columbia records for denying them of their full potential and the rest of us of this incredible, and inspirational music.
Who gives a fuck about size! Debora rocks! That woman can sing!! I remember when Romeo Void were an absolute sensation when they first came on the scene. Such a pity they couldn't go any further than they did.
Unfortunately, Romeo Void came alive at the exact moment that music video was becoming an important marketing tool. If they came along even 3 years earlier, would have likely been quite a bit more successful, because looks suddenly became a much larger part of what an artist had to offer. Artists were starting to be made or broken by the success of their videos, does anyone believe that Madonna would have had the same career if she came along 5 years earlier, sadly so much is about right place, right time
Exactly. MTV was in its early days, and radios stars like Christopher Cross, who were stars in 1980 dropped off the earth by 1982 because of video. Terribly unfair
Here in Brisvegas at the time the only radio to play RV was 4ZZZ an alternative radio station. The thing with radio is you can't see the band so by the time I actually saw the video to Never I was in love with the song and the vid just gave it a really edgy vibe.
Thanks so much for posting this. I interviewed Romeo Void for my college radio station (San Jose State) back in 1982. They were really cool and treated me great.
A couple weeks ago I was looking for new songs to listen to and Never Say Never was in my RUclips feed, and man, one song led to another......such amazing talent! They're still making fans in 2022!
Benjamin Bossi, in your heart of heart, you are still a musician. I believe that you can hum and still write music. Your contribution to music is greatly appreciated. Debora Iyall, you're beautiful then and you're beautiful now. That punk attitude made you an icon in a world dominated by men. Peter Woods, keeping an even temperament throughout the band's existence and all these years made you someone to learn about staying focused and centered. Frank Zincavage, coolest bass player to be down for whatever. Aaron Smith, it's great to know that you never put down your sticks. Keep rockin'. It's really good to know that you guys never lost your spark after all these years. Great documentary vh1. God bless you all.
this band rocked...should have been way more successful...unique style...signature sound...Deborah vocals timeless and haunting...so sad they didn't produce more albums!
I absolutely loved this. I was such a fan. Imagine my astonishment when I got to meet Deborah in SF through a mutual friend. He never told me it was she but, I KNEW IT WAS. I got to know her art and a bit of her over a couple of years. What a thrill. She is PEACE. She IS Love. She is Beauty. She has this great aura that is Infectious. Thanks for doing this.
Never say Never , one of the best period songs of its day & I loved it ! I didn't care that the vocalist was a big girl , she had one Hell of a voice & I thought see was pretty >:-]
Happy 70th Birthday Debora Kay Iyall, 29 April 1954That baby face is 70. That's how I think of her. A baby face that can still rock. She is an awesome artist too.
Rest in Peace Benjamin Bossi. So bummed to read about his passing. He seemed like such a sweet and thoughtful guy and he was hugely charismatic. And the whole band talks about him in glowing terms. To hear him say he had to stop playing in 1989 but he would do it all over again because he loved it so much was so nice. That he had no regrets.
April Gosa Deborah has a voice that could DEMOLISH all the fake bitches on heels like Rhianna,Madonna,Beyonce and the rest of these DISPOSABLE sluts!!!!!!!!!
+Darren Breton That's just an industry marketing thing----once again, your looks don't have a damn thing to do with your talent. I've sen and heard way too many singers with good looks who couldn't sing worth a damn, no matter how good they looked. Either you got the talent, or you ain't---that's what it boils down to. Plus there have been other singers who were big and stil lbecause stars--liek Aratha Franklin, Jil lScott, and now Adele, who's extremely huge everywhere---her definitely isn't stopping her.
rainmaker690 Adele has undergone a tremendous makeover that her wealth now affords, so she's trying not to be so enormous. Moreover, it's not really the size alone that may negatively affect a female artist's marketability. Ann Wilson and Adele both have attractive faces. Aretha Franklin was in her own category as a black soul singer, and other major African-American talents like Ella Fitzgerald were hardly beauty queens, although if Aretha had Tina Turner's looks she would have been even more unstoppable. Debora suffered from being both obese and, to put it kindly,"plain." Her face was unmarketable from the beginning.
This was such a beautiful and painful episode to watch. However, I did get turned on to the music of Bush Tetras in the process. Bravo Romeo Void. Thank you for being the soundtrack to my Junior year of high school.
Frank Zincavage was nice and generous enough to fill in as our bass player for several shows until our band could find a permanent bass guitarist (which we did with the amazing Gary Brown). He also helped us with our song arrangements, all of which he knew pretty well at the time. Another super-nice, and very-together person.
Very artsy video too. Very different for the time. It really should be up there with "Sledgehammer", "Rockit" and "Take on Me". Not too surprising that the genesis of the band was in arts college!
Having been born in 1987, these guys were over before I existed. However, I found a record of theirs at a local vinyl dive here in DxMoinx maybe 3 years ago. I bought it solely because of their name--RomeoVoid is a REALLY cool name. I started looking them up after falling in love with their music, but I couldn't find much. I've been holding onto them as my special little band no one else knows about. I didn't know they were as popular as they were. Sorry to see the sax player couldn't be in the performance, but HOLY HECK he is sexy!! He also has great taste in clothing! Mmm, cute guy with a good personality and musical talent. Great music--oh, and Deborah is a total babe. The vapid music industry can drop dead. RomeoVoid rocks.
I was a teenager/young adult during the eighties; back then, if you knew bands like Romeovoid, The March Violets, Gene Loves Jezebel, interspersed with a couple from the 4AD catalogue, you'd be the coolest kid on the block! Even more so if you had the vinyls to back it up.
I thought they were pretty popular. My friends and I would listen to ‘Never say Never’ over and over again, back when we were in high school. Ok well more like I did, but all my friends went along with it, no one ever complained. There’s 2 different old 80s movies that had this song on the soundtrack, Reckless & I think 16 candies. Circa Edmond, Oklahoma. 1980s. Just seems like yesterday.
I remember the movie “Reckless” was one of the first places I became aware of Romero Void. I probably heard them before but that was when I began to seek out their music. It took a little more work back then to get your music 😂
I can't believe this has been up only 4 weeks! I think this is one of the BEST LOVE STORIES on television! I loved these people immediately, seeing how they treated and loved each other so well. Absolutely touching! And "Girl in Trouble" is one of my all-time favorite songs. Best to each member of this incredible band.
Ughhh, I’m 60 now and lovvvveed them. Dancing to this in Exit Punk Bar in Chicago during this time. I just had my niece listen to this yesterday, she’s 15 and self taught electric guitar player, and I picked her guitar and started playing. Deborah still very pretty, they need to do another reunion but I must be in the front row!!
because our society says women who are not small or good looking are not accepted in our world nevermind her amazing voice. Look at Mama Cass I believe spelled that correct. I played Never say Never for the song I used in my dance addition I. High school and freaked the teacher and students out...but I got on. This was 9th grade. .She still has a great voice and I wish her well
Albert Durazo Yeah. Me too. I should have had better priorities with my money and time. I lived in L.A., so I had no excuse! But. I had to work and hang with friends. Choices choices.
The only type of reality TV shows that I like. Reunions. I remember this band and their songs and videos when I was a kid! Back in the 80s. New wave, punk band. 🎶 similar to Blondie and Berlin. I forgot about them, then one of their songs was on a GTA video game about 20 yrs ago.
OH my gosh I am so happy I found this!! I love ROmeo Void and this totally made me laugh and cry with them!! WOnderful!!! Thank you for posting this !!
Speaking as a fan of Romeo Void, since the very beginning, if the fans were more aware of the bullshit that the record company execs were piling on the band... and especially on Debora... we would have probably raised hell. They had a sound that was unique, compelling, vivacious and sexy; and I always thought that Deborah was seriously hot! (And I'm not generally into big women!) There was just something about her that was a wonderful and magnify! She's the type of personality that impacts people around her with her positive vibes. The icing on the cake is her voice. That voice! I can't imagine anyone else singing those songs. Never Say Never is one if the coolest songs ever recorded!
saw this band at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, Calif and it was a totally electrifying evening. I would drop everything to go and see that show again tonight.
Gosh this brought back so many memories. I always loved them and feel they never got the credit they deserved. A unique sound created by a group of unique people. Thank you all for what you gave me
I just ran into this video - had no idea VH-1 did this for Romeo Void. It's yet another commentary on how awful the music business is. Oh, and Debora is beautiful - I don't care what anyone says.
I love @ 8:15 where Frank really gives them a dressing down. A large part of the music industry today is all about money with most artists treated as an afterthought.
In remember the first time I saw "Girl in Troubles" and I was blown away for how amazing Romeo Void was and how the incredible sax tune just wouldn't give up! Such a great band and Benjamin such an amazing sax player
Our lovely friend, Frank Zincavage. I got so choked up over this. He played several shows with our band, "Pray For Rain" (NOT the christian band who had to give up the name, but the San Francisco band and Soundtrack company). He knew all of our songs and performed with us and I will never forget his generosity and friendship.
I met them all all in Lubbock back in a room, was all due to the roadie who introduced me to them all, they each signed a blank tee shirt which to this day is MIA, but I witnessed the performance which was incredible, unforgettable! Do you here this Romeo Void
San Francisco weekend July 1979, I had 3 days to spend having fun. Went to the Mabuhay Club, saw a band Mummers and Poppers. They were so much fun, loved that show, so memorable. Now, 40-plus years later, I see why they were so good! It was the artists who formed Romeo Void! Makes me feel good.
I screamed with joy when Never Say Never started! I LOVED that video back in the day. Yes I'm that old. Deborah is so beautiful! They would make it in today's more accepting world. Great to see these bands back together again.
Thank you for sharing such valuable and educational material. hard what of the saxophonist. the singer a marvel all are stars. thanks, the USA for so many and many STARS live the music YHEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
This was a very bitter sweet episode.There was a genuine love for each other after so many years apart.They sounded great but the sad part was Benjamjn Bossi not being able to play again because of his hearing issues.He took it all in stride like the class act he is.
Terrific show. Of the reunion shows I've sen so far (on youtube) this year, ROMEO VOID was my favority...SQUEEZE a close second, and they've been back touring again for a few years. So sorry to hear about Benjamin Bossi's hearing loss. Sorry also to hear about Clive Davis' BAD decision to not bother seeing/watching ROMEO VOID perform. I'll tell him if I see him at a NYC even in the future. He's well in his 80s...I'll be 'nice'. lmao
This was the needed punctuation to a great band's career. It was great seeing each of the band's members and what they are involved in today. It was also great to hear them admit... they haven't changed. They are still the great INDIVIDUALS they were back then and still remain to this day. Life... IS GOOD. Thank you all... ROMEO VOID.
Bands Reunited was such a genius concept, and though I LOATHE reality television, this is a screaming exception. One of my favorite shows of all time.
Agree! I wish they would resurrect this show.
FACTS!!! It was pretty phenomenal.
If it wasn't for Bands Reunited I doubt the original members of Berlin would be performing today. That show brought Terri, David & John back together! Shame they couldn't do the same for ABC and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Glad they got Flock of Seagulls back together for at least one show! And Romeo Void well what can you say Instincts was one of the best albums of the 80's!
@@44kickinit Id like to live in a universe where theres a "reuniting 'reuniting the band'" where the first episode is a new crew assembling amir and the old crew together, to then go reunite old bands.
This is actually real (for the most part) and not scripted like “reality” tv is.
It's amazing seeing her everyday! Such an honor having her as my Art teacher!
Cool! Outrageous!!
That's awesome, she seems really nice.
Really great yt comment!
I am soooooo jealous of you! You lucky person!
Keep going to 29 Palms visiting my kids stationed there.
This one’s different. This was a band that was alive then the industry’s toxic ideas busted them up, killed ‘em. Like siblings dispersed in an ugly parental divorce. They were all happy to see each other again. This reunion has such heartbreaking overtones, a band that didn’t break up, they were busted up. Like a murder. And all those lost years they could have flourished.
well said!
Your take got me in the feels Cre!!! Perfectly stated!!!
Precisely. This is why it is so important to be true to your principles. It’s as much their fault as the execs. Don’t give in. Give up the idea of fame, and money, when you are forced to make a choice like this. No excuses. They were so unique, so original. No one gave a damn about her looks or her weight, in fact, except, of course, for the tone deaf executives, who still, to this day, believe they have their finger on the pulse of the average consumer, fan, and audience. They never have and never will. They simply reflect their own twisted values, onto us, pretending we are the mindless idiots, they pretend we are.
RIP dear Benjamin 12-13-2022 Your sweet heart, generous soul and wonderfully talented self will be missed by so many. Joy to you and your heavenly reunion with your darling brother Andy, and your parents who all suffered from Alzheimer's too. Play on Benjamin, play on. 🎷🥰
Poor guy! Didn’t know about this until now! Hugs to him and RIP!!
🙏❤️❤️
You're kidding?! 😢
OMG my heart SANK reading this post. You can tell he was just the sweetest and most humble man. His sax playing was an essential fabric to the sound of the 1980s. Rest in power dear sir.
RIP Benjamin Bossi. Rest well and in peace.😢
I remember when Never say never came out. It was unique. Authentic. Me and my friends thought they'd be a big band. Later we were all like WTF? Where'd they go? Makes you wonder how many great bands got squashed by record companies before they even hit once. And she's still got it. She's a rocker.
exactly, I Remember when thier first hit came out i was about 21 years old thought they were fantastic.
I was 12. I remember loving their attitude!
More bands than you would ever care to imagine. The record industry is full of seriously messed up people.The band I was in in the late 80's was really doing well, with a large following. Then the record company stepped in, made tons of promises, threw huge parties....and then proceeded to turn every member of an awesome band into enemies, by telling each of us we needed to be the leader. It got so bad that a couple of us completely quit music for close to 20 years because we were so disgusted with the entire process. We also had front row seats to many awesome bands having to go the same route. The only thing the record companies care about is their bank accounts and using talented people to fill those accounts. The truly messed up thing is that it all happens so fast. You really don't realize what is happening until it has already happened.
But they allowed themselves to be squashed while bands like the Smiths, The Replacements, Husker Du, wouldn’t compromise.
Never say Never is one of the greatest 80s alternative songs on the planet . Never get sick of hearing it . Every single part of it is brilliant .
Unfortunately, if a band like this war coming out today, they wouldn't even been given a chance. Nothig but Genric crap these days😔
At 8:20. Frank said it best. The industry doesn't care about the band. All about them screwing artists out of their money. Would have been cool to hear more records come from RV!! Best era of music ever!!
One of the greatest songs of the 80's for sure. Girl in Trouble still gives me chills. Thanks for the artistry.
Ben Bossi, in the midst of his hearing loss, played a show with Romeo Void for my former-Partner's last wish. Louie Beeson was my Partner for many years. He was also Romeo Void's live soundman for practically the length of their existence. Louie's wish was to mix one show with Romeo Void at the club where he had been employed in San Francisco, called Slim's. At that point, Louie had lost almost his entire vision but he was a trooper and his ears were magnificent!. Ben followed through and I'll never forget Ben for doing that! Louie died in late October of 1992.
Sorry for your loss. Glad Ben came thru for you
Beautiful story. Bless you, Louie, Ben and Romeo Void.
Slims owned by Boz Scaggs. Alot of great concerts there
What a great memory to have!
I was at that show at Slim’s! I was standing right in front of Debora … she leaned over and kissed me bc she saw me singing along to every song. My idols. ❤
I spent an hour bringing up all I could on Debora.
Couple things;
A huge salute to all the band members of Romeo Void, an equally huge thumbs down to Columbia records... makes me sorry I gave them any of my hard earned money.
We all want to believe the nearly 40 years has brought forth a better world... at 62 I am not so certain.
Debora if you read this I say write a book!! Tell the world how shitty Columbia treated you (and the band). And thanks vh1, not only a well made documentary, but you made us realize nothing beats the original
YES YES YES
It’s on them, in the end, for compromising. It always is. Blame is useless, if you don’t start with yourself. Lots of bands refused to compromise during this time, like The Smiths, The Replacements and so many more, and it eventually led to the complete destruction of the corporate music cabal, in 1991-92 with the success of Nirvana. It’s up to us, to stick to our guns, and be strong enough to take the hits that come. Some of us, won’t reap the rewards, but it is worth it, for those who will, and because of the principle. It’s the right thing to do. Their own sax player, buys into the b.s. fed to them by idiots in suits who know nothing about music fans, and allowed himself to give a shit, compromise his own integrity, because some nerd, like Clive Davis, walked out on their performance. It’s the truth, we all know, but won’t admit, because we are slaves to the money and the fame, not to the integrity of the product itself. That’s their weakness. We can choose to be stronger than this. Many bands were.
I'm a M-68 here in 2023. I still have a Romeo Void CASSETTE TAPE in my garage....crammed in a shoebox with a 101 other tapes. Obviously, I'm an older BOOMER and never got into MTV or VH1 etc. I'm just a hard-rockin' guy....been so since the early 1960's. I gotta be honest here....I surfed into this quite by fate....and it has been nothing short of 110% FANTASTIC. So very well done. Done with class and good taste.....and not a bunch of horse-crap hype that so often comes along with these types of things. Thank you VH-1.....This was time well spent. God Bless Romeo Void's members for having the stones to say YES to a very tough proposition put before them....and God Bless us all.....jbeinarizona
I still listen to them today 👍
Ben Bossi is still awesome. His was some of the best saxophone playing during the '80s, and even though he can't perform any longer, his legacy as a musician is secure just on the basis of what he recorded. Listen to "Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)" and anyone can appreciate his genius.
He was truly a talented sax player. It's just a shame he can't play saxophone because of his hearing loss. How sad!
Yeah, here you got a great session sax player filling in and it’s just not the same. It’s a great object lesson in timbre and how an artist effects the instrument. ❤️ Ben Bossi!
@@garboil Ben had such very cool energy that projected out into the audience. I'm truly sorry that it affected his hearing, but after reading quotes from him and what he went through, the guy suffered for it. I wish him luck! He's not doing too bad, it seems and he still looks great!
He is soooooo awesome! Love him. Love his fun spirit and dancing too!
Bossi was BOSS
One of my favorite bands that I thought would be bigger than they were because the music was really unique and different...Say No is still one of my all time favorite songs.
Hearing about Benjamin broke my heart. I can't imagine not being able to play my clarinet or sing again because of tinnitus.
I suffer from tinnitus as well
I have tinnitus, and perfect pitch. A lot of people who can play by ear, also have tinnitus. Maybe he’s a bit over dramatic. Shove the plugs in, and play.
She looks as cute as ever, lol. I like this band's sound a lot. It's obvious the band really still loves each other.
This was my favorite, most touching "Band Reunited" ever produced. The chemistry is what makes the band. I still have my cassette that I bought all those years ago :)
Benjamin was an amazing looking man. Great face. So chiseled. A great sax player too, with a big heart. The fact that he couldn’t play was heartbreaking. And yes, he and Deborah really felt like the front line of the band.
Great music and band.
Being a musician with tinnitus, I have to admire the strength he has to NOT play. I’m going deaf and I’ll still play, knowing damn well the damage I’m doing. I have nothing but admiration for him.
Handsome talented Italian. :)
Bands Reunited was such a great concept for a show, VH1.. It is such an amazing gift - to reunite people that once had a singular chemistry as a group and bringing them together to allow That Special Something to ignite once again. The emotions are palpable and experienced by not only the band but by their fans. Thank you, VH1....Can you do it again, please?
I wish they would
I came across Bands Reunited by accident. What a great show
Excellent. Such an innovative one of a kind band. Fuck Columbia records for denying them of their full potential and the rest of us of this incredible, and inspirational music.
Thank you RIC OCASEK!!
2degucitas love The Cars, RIP Ben Orr.
Who gives a fuck about size! Debora rocks! That woman can sing!! I remember when Romeo Void were an absolute sensation when they first came on the scene. Such a pity they couldn't go any further than they did.
I agree, but infortunately assholes in the music business gave a fuck about that kind of crap.
I know. I just don't see why her size really mattered THAT much.
Unfortunately, Romeo Void came alive at the exact moment that music video was becoming an important marketing tool. If they came along even 3 years earlier, would have likely been quite a bit more successful, because looks suddenly became a much larger part of what an artist had to offer. Artists were starting to be made or broken by the success of their videos, does anyone believe that Madonna would have had the same career if she came along 5 years earlier, sadly so much is about right place, right time
Exactly. MTV was in its early days, and radios stars like Christopher Cross, who were stars in 1980 dropped off the earth by 1982 because of video. Terribly unfair
Here in Brisvegas at the time the only radio to play RV was 4ZZZ an alternative radio station. The thing with radio is you can't see the band so by the time I actually saw the video to Never I was in love with the song and the vid just gave it a really edgy vibe.
Love them in high school. So inspiring and fresh. Love B.B. he was a natural and so wished I could have met them all.
Thanks so much for posting this. I interviewed Romeo Void for my college radio station (San Jose State) back in 1982. They were really cool and treated me great.
Benjamin Bossi September 7, 1953-December 13, 2022-May You Rest In Peace.
A couple weeks ago I was looking for new songs to listen to and Never Say Never was in my RUclips feed, and man, one song led to another......such amazing talent! They're still making fans in 2022!
Cool.
Benjamin Bossi, in your heart of heart, you are still a musician. I believe that you can hum and still write music. Your contribution to music is greatly appreciated. Debora Iyall, you're beautiful then and you're beautiful now. That punk attitude made you an icon in a world dominated by men. Peter Woods, keeping an even temperament throughout the band's existence and all these years made you someone to learn about staying focused and centered. Frank Zincavage, coolest bass player to be down for whatever. Aaron Smith, it's great to know that you never put down your sticks. Keep rockin'. It's really good to know that you guys never lost your spark after all these years. Great documentary vh1. God bless you all.
Ben if you're reading this (somehow) you were a fantastic sax player. You seem like a really good dude and I hope you're doing well.
Peek A Boo
this band rocked...should have been way more successful...unique style...signature sound...Deborah vocals timeless and haunting...so sad they didn't produce more albums!
The work they did do, was great. That is an actual success. To create something completely original in your life, is the meaning of success.
What an awesome and extremely underrated band!!!
What sweet kindhearted people in this awesome band..Love them
Indeed. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Deb is a beautiful person then and now.
I saw Romeo Void at The Roxy in LA during their peak. They were amazing. Glad to see them reunited.
Beautiful group of people. The world missed out on this fantastic group of artists because of the closed mindedness of greed... Sad
I absolutely loved this. I was such a fan. Imagine my astonishment when I got to meet Deborah in SF through a mutual friend. He never told me it was she but, I KNEW IT WAS. I got to know her art and a bit of her over a couple of years. What a thrill. She is PEACE. She IS Love. She is Beauty. She has this great aura that is Infectious. Thanks for doing this.
She seems beyond sweet!
Never say Never , one of the best period songs of its day & I loved it ! I didn't care that the vocalist was a big girl , she had one Hell of a voice & I thought see was pretty >:-]
What a nice group of people. So great they still think so well of each other.
Happy 70th Birthday Debora Kay Iyall, 29 April 1954That baby face is 70.
That's how I think of her. A baby face that can still rock. She is an awesome artist too.
Rest in Peace Benjamin Bossi. So bummed to read about his passing. He seemed like such a sweet and thoughtful guy and he was hugely charismatic. And the whole band talks about him in glowing terms. To hear him say he had to stop playing in 1989 but he would do it all over again because he loved it so much was so nice. That he had no regrets.
She's wonderful! Look at that smile. So good to see her in later years.
Who here thinks that Bossi and Iyall totally smashed back in the day???
I'd say it's more likely that Deborah was his hag. RIP Benjamin Bossi.
she is beautiful why do you people focus on size damn its annoying they did the same to Ann Wilson
April Gosa Deborah has a voice that could DEMOLISH all the fake bitches on heels like Rhianna,Madonna,Beyonce and the rest of these DISPOSABLE sluts!!!!!!!!!
The quality of her voice is also very beautiful.
+Darren Breton
That's just an industry marketing thing----once again, your looks don't have a damn thing to do with your talent. I've sen and heard way too many singers with good looks who couldn't sing worth a damn, no matter how good they looked. Either you got the talent, or you ain't---that's what it boils down to. Plus there have been other singers who were big and stil lbecause stars--liek Aratha Franklin, Jil lScott, and now Adele, who's extremely huge everywhere---her definitely isn't stopping her.
rainmaker690 Adele has undergone a tremendous makeover that her wealth now affords, so she's trying not to be so enormous. Moreover, it's not really the size alone that may negatively affect a female artist's marketability. Ann Wilson and Adele both have attractive faces. Aretha Franklin was in her own category as a black soul singer, and other major African-American talents like Ella Fitzgerald were hardly beauty queens, although if Aretha had Tina Turner's looks she would have been even more unstoppable.
Debora suffered from being both obese and, to put it kindly,"plain." Her face was unmarketable from the beginning.
How about Alison Moyet when she was in duo Yazoo and her solo stuff, No company pulled the plug because of her weight
Such a talented band. Definitely one of my favorites.
This was such a beautiful and painful episode to watch. However, I did get turned on to the music of Bush Tetras in the process. Bravo Romeo Void. Thank you for being the soundtrack to my Junior year of high school.
I'm sure all of Debora's art students were surprised to hear she was in Romeo Void.
Christopher Cotton
I bet they are like....Romeo what??
She is a schoolteacher now
Frank Zincavage was nice and generous enough to fill in as our bass player for several shows until our band could find a permanent bass guitarist (which we did with the amazing Gary Brown). He also helped us with our song arrangements, all of which he knew pretty well at the time. Another super-nice, and very-together person.
What band were or are you in?
Girl in Trouble- one of my favorite songs, ever!
Very artsy video too. Very different for the time. It really should be up there with "Sledgehammer", "Rockit" and "Take on Me". Not too surprising that the genesis of the band was in arts college!
@@zmbdog YUP. AND SO WERE THE TALKING HEADS.
Debora is a beautiful soul and a great singer/songwriter. Someone from X, the band, said she is the nicest person in rock and roll.
Having been born in 1987, these guys were over before I existed. However, I found a record of theirs at a local vinyl dive here in DxMoinx maybe 3 years ago. I bought it solely because of their name--RomeoVoid is a REALLY cool name.
I started looking them up after falling in love with their music, but I couldn't find much. I've been holding onto them as my special little band no one else knows about. I didn't know they were as popular as they were.
Sorry to see the sax player couldn't be in the performance, but HOLY HECK he is sexy!! He also has great taste in clothing! Mmm, cute guy with a good personality and musical talent.
Great music--oh, and Deborah is a total babe. The vapid music industry can drop dead. RomeoVoid rocks.
He's just as nice in person, in every way. Trust me :)
Sorry u live in dx mx
I was a teenager/young adult during the eighties; back then, if you knew bands like Romeovoid, The March Violets, Gene Loves Jezebel, interspersed with a couple from the 4AD catalogue, you'd be the coolest kid on the block! Even more so if you had the vinyls to back it up.
I thought they were pretty popular. My friends and I would listen to ‘Never say Never’ over and over again,
back when we were in high school. Ok well more like I did, but all my friends went along with it, no one ever complained. There’s 2 different old 80s movies that had this song on the soundtrack, Reckless & I think 16 candies.
Circa Edmond, Oklahoma. 1980s.
Just seems like yesterday.
I remember hearing Romeo Void on KROQ in Los Angeles for the first time. Instantly in love. I miss the old KROQ and the 80's!
Thank you so much for uploading and sharing this with us!
I remember the movie “Reckless” was one of the first places I became aware of Romero Void. I probably heard them before but that was when I began to seek out their music. It took a little more work back then to get your music 😂
Debora was one of the best singers/front Women in Alt rock,her awesome voice and delivery were perfect!
Thank you VH1. There are so many other groups I would like to see again.
I can't believe this has been up only 4 weeks! I think this is one of the BEST LOVE STORIES on television! I loved these people immediately, seeing how they treated and loved each other so well. Absolutely touching! And "Girl in Trouble" is one of my all-time favorite songs. Best to each member of this incredible band.
This Lady, has got a such a BEAUTIFUL voice .... would love to see them ...
she has an infectious personality, so joyful and bright
An Amazing Group. She looks absolutely the same. Great Reunion. 👍 Thank You. 😉
Ughhh, I’m 60 now and lovvvveed them. Dancing to this in Exit Punk Bar in Chicago during this time. I just had my niece listen to this yesterday, she’s 15 and self taught electric guitar player, and I picked her guitar and started playing. Deborah still very pretty, they need to do another reunion but I must be in the front row!!
I love this episode, because I love this band.
Debora Iyall, Cowlitz Tribal Member, winner of a lifetime Native American Artist award!
Romeo Void was so badass when I first saw them on MTV in the early 80's and they're still badass today!!!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🍻🍻🍻
because our society says women who are not small or good looking are not accepted in our world nevermind her amazing voice. Look at Mama Cass I believe spelled that correct. I played Never say Never for the song I used in my dance addition I. High school and freaked the teacher and students out...but I got on. This was 9th grade. .She still has a great voice and I wish her well
jodi palacios
Good for you! Wish I had seen it.
She is good looking
Deborah has always been beautiful. Definitely a band before it's time.
Band before it’s time? Uh no
Great band tho
@@carltonthepug They were Alternative before the term existed
My favorite episode, I listened to ROMEO VOID back in the early 80's in college. Damn, those were great times
I loved this program. I watched every episode.
love Romeo Void.... Wish I had the opportunity to see them in concert...
Albert Durazo
Yeah. Me too. I should have had better priorities with my money and time. I lived in L.A., so I had no excuse! But. I had to work and hang with friends. Choices choices.
The only type of reality TV shows that I like. Reunions. I remember this band and their songs and videos when I was a kid! Back in the 80s. New wave, punk band. 🎶 similar to Blondie and Berlin. I forgot about them, then one of their songs was on a GTA video game about 20 yrs ago.
OH my gosh I am so happy I found this!! I love ROmeo Void and this totally made me laugh and cry with them!! WOnderful!!! Thank you for posting this !!
Me too....I laughed and cried.....it was a beautiful thing to see them reunited. 😊
@@JJ-vm6lx Yes we get to do a little bit of time travel, eh!! :)
I cant believe i discover this band this week,and im from the 80s and live in my own blood the post punk and new wave decade.Now im.50..excellent band
Such a lovely show! I had tears in my eyes.
Speaking as a fan of Romeo Void, since the very beginning, if the fans were more aware of the bullshit that the record company execs were piling on the band... and especially on Debora... we would have probably raised hell.
They had a sound that was unique, compelling, vivacious and sexy; and I always thought that Deborah was seriously hot! (And I'm not generally into big women!) There was just something about her that was a wonderful and magnify! She's the type of personality that impacts people around her with her positive vibes. The icing on the cake is her voice. That voice! I can't imagine anyone else singing those songs.
Never Say Never is one if the coolest songs ever recorded!
I have always loved the irreverence of the sax in Girl In Trouble. It is what hooks me into the song. What a fun get together!
saw this band at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, Calif and it was a totally electrifying evening. I would drop everything to go and see that show again tonight.
Never Say Never is one the most badass songs of any era. Total domination. Just f'ing great from start to finish. Brutal and Sexy.
Gosh this brought back so many memories. I always loved them and feel they never got the credit they deserved. A unique sound created by a group of unique people. Thank you all for what you gave me
I just ran into this video - had no idea VH-1 did this for Romeo Void. It's yet another commentary on how awful the music business is. Oh, and Debora is beautiful - I don't care what anyone says.
Romeo Void did it for themselves.
FRECK'IN FLASH-BACKS OF THE 80'S !!! HOLLYWOOD, WESTWOOD, PALM SPRINGS, ENSENADA, SAN DIEGO. THANK YOU ROMEO VOID
I love @ 8:15 where Frank really gives them a dressing down. A large part of the music industry today is all about money with most artists treated as an afterthought.
In remember the first time I saw "Girl in Troubles" and I was blown away for how amazing Romeo Void was and how the incredible sax tune just wouldn't give up! Such a great band and Benjamin such an amazing sax player
Incredible, original band! I saw them way back in the day on a foggy night in San Francisco. What a night!
Great band. Great band. I really loved their whole arrangement. Ben was an incredible saxophonist.
Our lovely friend, Frank Zincavage. I got so choked up over this. He played several shows with our band, "Pray For Rain" (NOT the christian band who had to give up the name, but the San Francisco band and Soundtrack company). He knew all of our songs and performed with us and I will never forget his generosity and friendship.
I met them all all in Lubbock back in a room, was all due to the roadie who introduced me to them all, they each signed a blank tee shirt which to this day is MIA, but I witnessed the performance which was incredible, unforgettable! Do you here this Romeo Void
i love that Ben kept the suit from the Girl In Trouble video! LOL awesome!
Loved this episode. Such amazing, real people. Romeo Void rocks.
Thanks for this amazing upload! I effing loved it and being a teen during the 80's!
San Francisco weekend July 1979, I had 3 days to spend having fun.
Went to the Mabuhay Club, saw a band Mummers and Poppers.
They were so much fun, loved that show, so memorable. Now, 40-plus years later, I see why they were so good! It was the artists who formed Romeo Void! Makes me feel good.
I screamed with joy when Never Say Never started! I LOVED that video back in the day. Yes I'm that old. Deborah is so beautiful! They would make it in today's more accepting world. Great to see these bands back together again.
Thank you for sharing such valuable and educational material. hard what of the saxophonist. the singer a marvel all are stars. thanks, the USA for so many and many STARS live the music YHEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Sad about the sax player, but damn, she still got it, what a voice!
I had a 'best of' of them in the 90's.
All I remember was every single song was excellent. Now I have to revisit them. Such a cool band...
This was a very bitter sweet episode.There was a genuine love for each other after so many years apart.They sounded great but the sad part was Benjamjn Bossi not being able to play again because of his hearing issues.He took it all in stride like the class act he is.
Thank you VH-1! Absolutely brought wonderful memories! ❤️🎤🎸🥁🎼🎷🙏💔Ben.
I remember Debora for her warmth and genuine positivity. It makes me smile to think of her.
The guy with the school for kids in Japan is a winner. That is an admirable profession: teaching.
Love Romeo Void. I wish this concert was available to see.
Terrific show. Of the reunion shows I've sen so far (on youtube) this year, ROMEO VOID was my favority...SQUEEZE a close second, and they've been back touring again for a few years. So sorry to hear about Benjamin Bossi's hearing loss. Sorry also to hear about Clive Davis' BAD decision to not bother seeing/watching ROMEO VOID perform. I'll tell him if I see him at a NYC even in the future. He's well in his 80s...I'll be 'nice'. lmao
I've listened to Never Say Never this year than all the decades since it came out. Long live classic rock radio for reminding me of Romeo Void.
This was the needed punctuation to a great band's career. It was great seeing each of the band's members and what they are involved in today. It was also great to hear them admit... they haven't changed. They are still the great INDIVIDUALS they were back then and still remain to this day. Life... IS GOOD. Thank you all... ROMEO VOID.
I watched her say "I love you" to Ben about 20 times. So great.