Vancouver's slick Pop Rockers LOVERBOY became one of the most successful Canadian acts in America with a string of multi platinum records and sell out arena tours. Mike Reno (real name Rynowski) also had a short stint in HAMMERSMITH but was better known for his tenure in MOXY. Guitarist Paul Dean and drummer Matt Frenette are both ex-STREETHEART. Dean had also sessioned on IAN LLOYD's 1980 album '3WC'. In earlier years Dean had also gone through the ranks of BRUTUS.

Immediately prior to the formation of LOVERBOY Frenette had been involved in the embryonic HEADPINS. Keyboard player Doug Johnson was previously with ALL THE RAGE IN PARIS. Their pedigree resulted in an instant deal from CBS Records. Paul Dean, upon his dismissal from STREETHEART in 1978, initially tried to form an act with Lou Blair but this union faltered. During late 1979 Reno auditioned as a potential drummer but it was as a vocalist that he secured his position. Bassist Scott Smith was pulled in from work with LISA DALBELLO. Once assembled the band put in an inaugural show opening for KISS at the Vancouver Coliseum. As an interesting aside, LOVERBOY's drummer Matt Frenette featured in the 1980 promotional video for the BRYAN ADAMS single 'Remember', although he did not perform on the original recording.

The band's debut Bruce Fairbairn produced album, issued in 1981, shot to platinum status in America with the momentum of the radio hits 'Turn Me Loose' and 'This Kid Is Hot Tonite'. Not willing to break the formula the band cut the follow up 'Get Lucky' with Fairbairn once again. The launch single 'Working For The Weekend' gave the band a bigger hit and 'Get Lucky' soon attained double platinum sales. In 1982 LOVERBOY broke all records by receiving an unprecedented 6 Juno awards for musical achievement.

1983's 'Keep It Up' did just that with record sales still on the climb and 'Hot Girls In Love' proving to be their biggest single to date. LOVERBOY also put in their first tour of Japan. Reno performed a duet with HEART's ANN WILSON 'Almost Paradise' issued on the 'Footloose' soundtrack album in 1984.

1985's Tom Allom produced 'Lovin' Every Minute Of It' found BLACK N' BLUE's Jaime St. James and Tommy Thayer sharing backing vocals with MARK LAFRANCE. The band also pulled in outside songwriters in the form of BRYAN ADAMS, Jim Vallance and JOURNEY's JONATHON CAIN. LOVERBOY noticably toughened up their sound for this release (Allom was better known for working with JUDAS PRIEST) and although the Americans snapped up a million copies it did not reach the heady heights of previous records. Nevertheless, Columbia were happy to receive their first ever Crystal Globe award for a Canadian act in recognition of 5 million LOVERBOY album sales outside of Canada.

Meantime the post HANOI ROCKS act CHERRY BOMBZ released their version of 'Hot Girls In Love' during 1986.

Fairbairn, flushed with multi platinum success with BON JOVI, was back at the helm for 1987's 'Wildside' which saw song contributions from JON BON JOVI, RICHIE SAMBORA and Alfie Zappacosta. Strangely, despite scoring another big hit with 'Notorious' the album failed to sell and did not even break into the American top 40. Following mammoth touring commitments which saw the band on the road for nearly two years, including European dates with DEF LEPPARD, LOVERBOY disbanded in mid 1988. Tracks recorded with Bob Rock for a projected further album remained in the can.

PAUL DEAN issued a solo album 'Hardcore' in 1989. The album included Frenette on drums. The skinsman also toured with KIM MITCHELL, appearing on his 'I Am A Wild Party' record. CBS also issued the 'Big Ones' compilation which included three cuts from the Bob Rock sessions.

Frenette undertook touring work in America with BRYAN ADAMS prior to joining TOM COCHRANE's band for his 'Mad, Mad World' album and tour. Frenette and Dean also both rejoined STREETHEART for nostalgic Canadian shows.

1992 the Canadian Rock industry pulled together for a cancer benefit gig in honour of HEADPINS / CHILLIWACK musician Brian McLeod. In an unannounced surprise performance LOVERBOY reunited for the show. Such was the reaction the band bowed to a tour of Canada the year after swiftly followed by American dates.

In 1993 Reno and Frenette formed part of AOR project JUST IF I for the 'All One People' album. Both Dean and Reno lent their talents to MARK LAFRANCE's 1994 'Out Of Nowhere' solo album. Dean's second solo album of the same year 'Machines' found Reno donating his vocal skills. Frenette busied himself with producer Bob Rock's act the PAYOLAS. Meantime LOVERBOY were reminded of their popularity when the 'Classics' compilation sold half a million copies.

In 1995 LOVERBOY toured America with co-headliners CHEAP TRICK and FOREIGNER. Audience reaction prompted the band to go back into the studio for another record. However, this was not before Johnson quit. Smith subsequently contributed to the 1996 PROJECT X album 'Blueprint For Xcess'.

1997's comeback record 'VI' found Richard Sera of TROOPER on keyboards. Dean collaborated with HEARTLAND vocalist Chris Ousey and guitarist Kenny Kaos to issue an eponymous album by side project act THE DISTANCE in mid 1997.

Johnson returned to the fold in 1998 as LOVERBOY planned further American shows into the following year. Johnson would however busy himself with a side project titled PARADISE including guitarist Joe Wowk and KICK AXE singer George Criston.

The band suffered a huge loss in November of 2000 with the loss of Scott Smith. The bassist had been indulging in his passion of sailing off the coast of San Francisco when a huge wave swept him overboard. Smith's body was never found.

New act CHIXDIGGIT would sustain LOVERBOY's memory into 2002, reworking 'The Kid Is Hot Tonight' as part of the soundtrack to a Canadian movie 'Fubar's'. LOVERBOY themselves were back on the road in North America commencing August 22nd in Cleveland, heading up a package tour with SURVIVOR and EDDIE MONEY billed as 'The Triple Shot Of Rock' dates.

LOVERBOY's February 2005 Orlando, Florida show for the 'Musicians 4 Disaster Relief' fund, organized by RICK DERRINGER and seeing the band sharing the stage with TWISTED SISTER, MARK FARNER, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS' Dickey Betts and CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen, would be recorded live and sold just after the gig as numbered collector's set for $25 each.

A brand new studio album, 'Just Getting Started', was released in 2007. In March 2009 LOVERBOY were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. released a new compilation 'Greatest Hits…The Real Thing' during April 2009. All tracks had been newly remastered and resequenced by guitarist Paul Dean. The album also featured two recent songs, 'The Real Thing', a track from the band's 2007 album 'Just Getting Started', and the previously unreleased track 'I'm Alive'.