Laid back guitar Rockers FIREFALL acieved considerable success in the 70's with two gold albums and one platinum (1978's 'Elan') backed up with several hit singles. FIREFALL's material was distinctly radio friendly Rock. FIREFALL were formed by ex-SPIRIT and JO JO GUNNE bassist Mark Andes, guitarist / vocalist Jock Bartley, ex-FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS and BYRDS guitarist Rick Roberts, guitarist Larry Burnett, keyboard player David Muse and former BYRDS drummer Michael Clarke. Bartley had appeared on ZEPHRYR's 1972 album 'Sunset Ride' having replaced TOMMY BOLIN.

Previous to FIREFALL Roberts had issued a pair of solo albums 'Windmills' and 'She Is A Song'. The guitarist had also toured as live guitarist for CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG. Bartley had been a member of FALLEN ANGELS.

Although having put FIREFALL together Bartley, Roberts and Andes had also been working as the live band for CHRIS HILLMAN. The star of the show became too ill to continue the tour and the remaining members jumped onboard to fulfill booked dates. It was at one of these shows that Atlantic Records caught the band and offered a deal.

FIREFALL's debut album achieved gold status faster than any previous release on Atlantic Records spawning two hit singles 'Cinderella' and 'You Are The Woman', the latter being the band's trademark song. Maximising their impact the band toured solidly opening for THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, THE BAND, THE BEACH BOYS and FLEETWOOD MAC.

Follow up album 'Luna Sea' echoed the band's initial success with both 'So Long' and 'Just Remember I Love You' both hitting the charts. Further touring kept the band in the limelight as openers for LYNYRD SKYNYRD, HEART and THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND.

FIREFALL peaked with 'Elan', a further two hits 'Strange Way' and 'Goodbye, I Love You' pushed the band into the platinum league. The band were specially chosen to guest on FLEETWOOD MAC's mammoth 'Rumours' tour which found FIREFALL playing huge sold out arenas. However, the traditional problems of the Rock n' Roll lifestyle now began to beset the group and 'Elan's follow up took nearly two years to emerge. The band headed out on their first headlining tour including dates in Japan with HEART.

By 1980 FIREFALL had effectively dissolved with only Bartley left to continue the band's record company obligations. Andes had joined HEART debuting with their 'Passion Works' album and going on to enjoy a stable career with the Seattle act and appearing on some of their most successful albums. He also sessioned on his former SPIRIT / JO JO GUNNE colleague JAY FERGUSON's 1982 solo album 'White Noise'.

Bartley at first pulled in John Sambataro on guitar & keyboards. A new album 'Break Of Dawn' was cut with session drummer and erstwhile FOXY member Joe Galdo and ex GAME guitarist Chuck Kirkpatrick. Guesting was Stephen Stills.

For touring purposes FIREFALL now added drummer Scott Kirkpatrick (brother of Chuck) and original keyboard player Muse was redrafted. FIREFALL went out on the road to promote the single 'Always', which reached 59 on the Billboard charts, headlining before winding up as support to BOB SEGER then THE BEACH BOYS.

Prior to sessions for what was to be the 'Mirror Of The World' album Muse quit yet again. The album took such a left turn musically towards the then in vogue synth New Wave sound that FIREFALL fell apart again with various members unhappy at this new direction. Bartley & the Kirkpatrick brothers stuck it out pulling in bassist Bob Gaffney and keyboard player Steve Hadjapolous. 'When released 'Mirror Of The world' flopped and FIREFALL opted for a re-think.

1985 saw Scott Kirkpatrick departing as FIREFALL enrolled new drummer Sandy Ficca for a series of club dates, some with Greg Overton taking over bass duties. As the tour came to an end FIREFLY suffered a major blow when Chuck Kirkpatrick was shot in the arm necessitating the band quickly pulling in Mark Oblinger as substitute. Kirkpatrick returned after a period of recuperation but was to leave shortly after Gaffney quit.

Kirkpatrick renewed his career in studio production (previous to FIREFALL he had engineered AMERICA's 'A View From The Ground' album) scoring later credits with MEAT LOAF, JOHN PARR & MOUNTAIN. Kirkpatrick also reunited with brother Scott in club band STILTSVILLE DEMOLITION CREW.

Andes and Bartley reformed FIREFALL for the album 'Messenger'. The track 'When The River Rises' was used by CNN television news and proceeds were given to charities involved in the 1993 flood relief campaign. FIREFALL toured Europe in late 1996 and continue to tour to this day. Muse turned up as a member of THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND in the late 90's.