Will To Power

Will to Power: Late ’80s Dance Pop

Who was Will to Power?
The band was formed in Florida by Bob Rosenberg. He is a producer, remixer, and a DJ. The group originally included Dr. J and Maria Mendez. Suzi Carr sang on some of the songs as well. Later, Will to Power became a duo, Rosenberg and Elin Michaels.

How did they get that name?
It was taken from the work of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

When did they get together?
In 1985, Bob Rosenberg was DJing at Miami’s Hot 105, a job which gained him valuable experience remixing and forming medleys. 2 Live Crew hired him to provide cuts for their Miami Bass album. Two years later, in 1987, Rosenberg joined with Dr. J and Maria Mendez to form the first Will to Power lineup.

What was their first single?
“Dreamin’,” which started off as popular in South Florida, but spread to radio stations nationwide. It was Miami’s Power 96′s song of the year, staying in the top five for over thirty weeks.

What was another of their biggest hits?
“Baby, I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley (Free Baby),” a medley of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” it was a Billboard #1 hit in 1988, on Epic Records.

What other songs were on their debut album?
Will to Power also featured “Say It’s Gonna Rain” and “Fading Away,” both of which became number one hits.

What was another hit for them?
“I’m Not In Love,” a cover of the 1970s 10cc hit. This was on the album Journey Home. Will to Power’s version peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 in January 1991. By this time, Suzi Carr was no longer in the band, and Elin Michaels was doing the singing.

What happened to Will to Power?
Bob Rosenberg and Epic Records faced artistic differences. Rosenberg stayed away from the music industry for 12 years.

Was that it for him?
Nope. In 2005, he released Spirit Warrior on Straight Blast Records. Donna Allen, Sidney Betancourt, Ed Calle, and Gary King were on it. Gioia Bruno.

Gioia Bruno… Hmmm…Don’t I know that name?
That’s right. She was a member of Exposé.

Does Will to Power exist today?
Yes, and it features Bob Rosenberg, along with Kristy Kay. She has had her own dance hits, such as a remake of the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself” with Lenny B and Siddy Betancourt. In January 2008, Will to Power released a CD of Electro Bass music.

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