Walking a fine line twixt Glam and Punk, JETBOY were unusual in that they were actually from San Francisco as opposed to being just another in a long line of Hollywood 'hair' bands. The group not only fostered cult appeal in the USA and Europe but also built a loyal Japanese fan base. Founded by guitarist Fernie Rod, whose grandfather, Fernando Rosas, was a famous balladeer in Mexico during the 50's, the band had come to the attention of Elektra Records after cutting an 18 song demo and playing some spectacular dates in Los Angeles after first hitting their hometown clubs. Among the acts that would support JETBOY would be bands that would soon usurp the headliners such as GUNS N' ROSES and POISON.

Founder member guitarist Billy Rowe had his first taste of Rock n' Roll with a school instrumental Heavy Metal covers outfit named ARMAGEDDON, featuring Jeff Meals on second guitar, Erik Lannon on drums and Keith Chatom on bass. The original JETBOY roster, forged in 1983, featured bassist Todd Crew, a veteran of DUFF McKAGAN's irreverent outfit THE DRUNK FUX. The group first hit the Californian club circuit in June 1984 and debuted in Los Angeles the following year billed alongside DOLL and MADAM X. Subsequent Hollywood gigs found JETBOY sharing stages with GUNS N' ROSES, JOHNNY THUNDERS, L.A. GUNS and POISON. Their burgeoning status was noticed by Elektra Records, who contracted the band in November 1986. Tragically, Crew who had come to Europe with GUNS N' ROSES in early 1987 as part of their road crew, died from a drug overdose after he was fired from the group. Ex-HANOI ROCKS bassist Sam Yaffa eventually replaced him.

Tom Allom, having established his reputation with a string of high profile JUDAS PRIEST albums, took on the production mantle for the debut 'Feel The Shake'. The record, cut at the Record Plant, was originally slated for a January 1988 issue but in December 1987 Elektra dropped the band. Warner Bros. offered a new deal but insisted on a complete re-recording of the album. JETBOY eventually released the original 'Feel The Shake' sessions later in October 1988 after being signed by MCA Records. One new track was added, the Ric Browde produced 'Make Some Noise'.

The confusion surrounding this release found JETBOY in the uncomfortable position of being the subject of major national press across all of the US Rock media generated by Elektra promotion albums. A behind the scenes switch to MCA Records resulted in momentum being lost as the label demanded remixes before a commercial release. Despite tours supporting STRYPER and CHEAP TRICK, it seemed JETBOY's moment of opportunity had passed and Yaffa duly quit in the Summer of 1990 to link up with his former colleague MICHAEL MONROE.

The track 'Heavy Chevy' on the second album, 1990's 'Damned Nation', was co-written with ex-COBRA and KROKUS drummer Jeff Klaven. A couple of other tracks on the record boast a Tom DeLuca credit. Although the record involved such heavyweight names on the production front as John Purdell, Duane Baron and Tom Werman JETBOY was already trailing in the wake of bands they had only shortly before been predicted to eclipse. During 1991 JETBOY demoed with fresh bassist Bill Fraenza.

Following the disbandment of JETBOY, vocalist Mickey Finn (a.k.a. Mike Demeter) and guitarists Fernie Rod and Billy Rowe returned to San Francisco and put together the much harder edged MINDZONE. This act folded sometime in 1996 and Rowe would re-appear in with AMERICAN HEARTBREAK, a Bay Area Punk Metal outfit which included former JOHNNY CRASH guitarist August Warchell and EXODUS bassist Mike Butler, releasing a succession of albums, singles and shared releases.

An album of pre-Yaffa unreleased material, 'A Day In The Glamorous Life', emerged through Perris Records in 1998. This collection was followed swiftly by 'Lost And Found' on Deadline Music, comprising further unissued material including cuts featuring Lemmy of MOTÖRHEAD. Perris then weighed in with another archival compilation 'Make Some More Noise' in 1999. Curiosity in JETBOY would be sustained by yet more unearthed demos and alternate takes, including a rendition of the KISS song 'Hard Luck Woman', on the 2002 album 'One More For Rock n' Roll!'.

JETBOY would still be active in 2005, performing on 22nd June at the Hollywood Key Club to launch the 'Hollywood Rocks' box set on a billing with SPIDERS AND SNAKES, BLACKBOARD JUNGLE, ODIN, THE ZEROS and FIZZY BANGERS.

In 2005 ex-JETBOY bassist Sami Yaffa joined up with all-star trio TODD YOUTH'S HEARTACHES, fronted by Todd Youth of MURPHY'S LAW, D-GENERATION, DANZIG, WARZONE, AGNOSTIC FRONT, SAMHAIN, CHROME LOCUST and THE CHELSEA SMILES repute on vocals and guitar with GLUECIFER drummer Danny Young.

The 2008 line-up of JETBOY comprised Mickey Finn, Billy Rowe, bassist Michael Butler and drummer Jeff Moscone. This unit performed at the 'Rocklohoma' festival in Pryor, Oklahoma that same year. In November drummer Doug Hovan was inducted.