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Artist: Aviator

Title: Aviator

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Category: AOR

Year: 1997

Label: Escape

Catalog Number: ESM017

Personnel

Michael Ricciardella drums, vocals
Ernie White lead vocals, guitar
Richie Cerniglia guitar
Steve Vitale bass

Tracks

1.	Front Line	3:10
2.	Back on the Street	3:45
3.	Don't Turn Away	3:39
4.	Wrong Place Wrong Time	3:42
5.	Never Let the Rock Stop	4:12
6.	Come Back	3:50
7.	Magic	4:29
8.	Can't Stop	3:46
9.	Too Young	3:34
10.	Every Schoolboy Knows	3:29
11.	Through the Night	3:38
12.	Woman in Love bonus track	4:24
13.	Holding On bonus track	4:55
Total Running Time:		50:33

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Aviator CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Aviator are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: Don	Date: May 22, 2001 at 22:46
Great CD!!! 10/10

From: Alex	Date: June 26, 2001 at 5:55
I remember this album and it was fantastic. Where are they now though?

From: Buzz Lightyear	Date: October 29, 2001 at 9:56
Superb CD. An AOR masterpiece and one of my all time favourites. A must have.

From: Mr. Hyde	Date: January 13, 2002 at 15:25
Great music! Great harmonies! Does anyone know in which year did they release the album?

From: Dekembe	Date: February 2, 2002 at 0:21
This CD was originally released in 1986.

From: outofthesilence

Date: May 17, 2002 at 22:27

An absolute must for any AOR fan! You can't get more radio-friendly than this, yet it was seriously overlooked when released in 1986. 'Frontline' is the perfect uptempo melodic rock lead-off track. 'Wrong Place Wrong Time', 'Can't Stop', and 'Comeback' are first-class AOR. Even the AC-styled 'Magic' had 'hit' written all over it. It's unfortunate this was their lone release; how many more potentially great albums might this group have released had they received enough airplay?

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: July 17, 2002 at 12:27
CD was good, but it's nothing compared to how they were live. Ernie White kicks butt (still does although in more of a bluesy style). Used to open for these guys fairly often, always looked up to them. Brings back major waves of nostalgia and stuff...

From: Andre Tekken

Date: July 17, 2002 at 15:50

An AOR lost jewel!Magnifique production,a shame that they din`t have the recognition they well deserved.Very well written pomp aor hard driving melodies.All instruments sounds great,and in total harmony with each other.The bottom line are the tunes.Sparkling melodic hair lifting guitar,and razor cut like vocals.Every time I listen to 'wrong place'I feel cold chills!This album really lifts off like a genuine aviator!Inspiration is a indispensable tool to put this effort toghether!!!

From: AOR FAN	Date: July 27, 2002 at 0:55
THIS IS AN ESSENCE OF 80'S AOR!!! FOREVER YOUNG LEGEND!!!!!

From: Steve T	Date: July 29, 2002 at 7:45
Good album though it is it is not as good as is being suggested here imo. Sounds a little disjointed in places...almost like the singer is not really sure where his band is in the song. Okay and gets 8 for having Neil Kernon as producer!

From: AOR_Dreamer	Date: August 1, 2002 at 16:31
Wooohoo! This cd really rocks..play it loud! This masterpiece could be compared to Strangeways self titled cd!!A MUST have if your'e into early 80's aor rock That's for sure! My favourites are 'Take me through the night' and 'Can't Stop' ..awesome guitarr driven songs...

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: August 2, 2002 at 11:08
btw if anyone is really interested in 'where are they now?' check out www.erniewhite.com, Ernie was the driving force behind Aviator and is now playing blues/rock around NJ with his own band.

From: koogles

Date: August 23, 2002 at 15:45

What a CD! If you like bands like Spys or Loverboy, this is a MUST GET! The reason why this didn't fly to the heights it deserved was perhaps the timing. This sounds like it belongs in 1983 or 1984, but by 1986, the winds were blowing in a different direction... like from the end of a hair dryer. Glam was coming in, perfectly crafted AOR with crisp keyboards was on the way out. What a shame. This is an essential CD for each and every AOR fanatic on this site!

From: WidoMakr	Date: September 5, 2002 at 17:51
A great sounding CD...great rips played on the guitar...vintage early 80's sound...damn bring it back NOW!!and to all that know who I am talking about..bring back Opie and Anthony...radio sucks without them....Quote the WidoMakr....never more

From: freddy de keyze	Date: September 16, 2002 at 2:31
A very good CD indeed, but it isn't exactly pure AOR,but more melodic rock, with great songs and hooks. Very good stuff and you can go and search it, but in my opinion they are not as good as let's say Signal, Red Dawn, Legs Diamond, Agent, I-ten, Boulevard, Shadow King, Foreigner, Eyes etc. etc. but well worth your attention !!!!!!!!!

From: amante del aor	Date: October 19, 2002 at 18:13
what a great melodic pop cd highly recommended!

From: Melodiker	Date: February 7, 2003 at 15:38
Really a Must-Have for all AOR Fans ! I play this one again and again ! 9\10

From: MelodicMan	Date: May 20, 2003 at 8:02
Agree with all. A classic AOR record. I bought it 86 because of it's cover. It just shouts AOR ! Buy me !

From: Tony	Date: May 29, 2003 at 11:17
oh boy, I WOULD DIE FOR THIS KIND OF MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: aviator_rocks	Date: July 14, 2003 at 15:10
KICKIN CD !!!!!!!!!!!!

From: Shoemaker	Date: July 31, 2003 at 6:45
Where are they now? They should be a big name. Music is like a mix between Treat and FM great album! Frontline is a brilliant opener and the best song on it.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: July 31, 2003 at 12:02
Here's where Ernie is now... http://www.erniewhite.com/ My old band used to open for them at various shitholes around NJ. He's a great guitar player, songwriter, and just a nice guy on top of it all. It is a shame they didn't make it to bigger and better things.

From: peter	Date: August 24, 2003 at 13:03
not an classic AOR album, it's melodic rock...

From: MikeL	Date: October 12, 2003 at 13:31
I just got my Grubby little hands on this one. Have heard all of the praise and it is exactly as everyone has noted. Top CD!!!!! Buy it and listen to one of the Top 3 AOR CD's of all time. Every song is tremendously well-done and pure AOR magic.

From: AOR freaky	Date: December 5, 2003 at 4:54
Another one hit affair ! Great, powerful, straight ahead hard AOR ! Not a classic, but a very good record anyway ! Chris, Koogles etc. : can you give me your email-address ? ! Only a question ! I respect it if you don't want to do it !

From: Infinity	Date: January 1, 2004 at 15:59
this is one of the all-time best melodic/aor ever made. Everone who likes Journey, FM, Giant, Harem Scarem, Danger Danger, Spys, Survivor, Ramos, Pride of Lions....GET IT!!!!

From: TIM (2)	Date: May 28, 2004 at 9:47
This is one of those essential AOR classics that you have buy even though it's nearly 20 years old. Is just like early Bon Jovi with awesome vocals and class production. Just a shame that on the re-issue there are 2 extremely weak and poor sounding bonus tracks that really detract from the rest of the material, presumably neither was produced by Kernon. Shame, but an essential CD nonetheless.

From: jessica96fish	Date: June 20, 2004 at 4:27
this is an out of this world album.hooks you right away.one of the best ever.just go out and buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: Rycheage	Date: June 26, 2004 at 15:22
Pretty much resembling Icon (circa 'Night Of The Crime') though far more melodic and far more commercial is how best to describe their one and only album. You'd be hard pressed to find any better moments in melodic rock than 'Frontline' and 'Comeback'. Most of the other songs are high class rockers that move with an authority that only musicians like these can play.

From: Chad	Date: June 28, 2004 at 23:58
Very Very good melodic rock. Still play it a couple times a month from start to finish. Not a bad song on the mother. Too Young is a classic ballad with bite. This is easily a 10/10. Pick it up!! You will not be disappointed!

From: Wotty	Date: August 28, 2004 at 14:30
Classy,slick AOR,deserves regular playing Includes the classic Dont Turn Away....

From: Wulfpac	Date: November 12, 2004 at 7:32
Yeah - right guys. these album really blew me off in 1986. (The year I had my first shag) Played it over and over again - still sounds great. Thanks for da erniewhite.com link!

From: glamroxxx	Date: January 2, 2005 at 14:57
PERFECT AOR ALBUM! I GOT IT LAST WEEK FOR CHRISTMAS AND IT`S NOT LEAVING MY CD PLAYER IN NEAR FUTURE`!! I can't believe that this band is not as well known as Signal, Survivor, Strangeways, Silent Rage etc. It's kind of Melodic Rock with perfect choruses, production, guitar work and vocals...Brings you totally back to the eighties!!!!

From: Chip	Date: January 2, 2005 at 20:50
This is one of the best-really really cool albums. I'm looking for it on CD. Seems my 33lp is about worn out- what happened to these guys? they rocked! Every School Boy Knows What Your Doing!

From: Mark	Date: January 16, 2005 at 14:10
Yo, Mark House here. Worked for this band for a long time in those NJ 'shitholes'. Anyone from the old days wanna contact me, do so at mark@homeemail.org. Looking for Ernie? Check out http://www.erniewhite.com. Later

From: Rockhead	Date: February 4, 2005 at 7:38
I love this album-melodic rock of the highest order

From: AOR freaky	Date: February 4, 2005 at 13:39
Good one, not great IMO. But worth having in your collection !

From: Swriter	Date: February 4, 2005 at 17:38
very good 80's release, one of the best from the decade, great songs, why were they not huge??? Magic has to be one of the best 80's AOR songs ever!!!! This one sits hand in hand with the band Lionheart's Hot Tonight with me

From: rick kerch	Date: February 9, 2005 at 18:11
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!

From: Erik	Date: February 10, 2005 at 2:19
Rick i take it you like this album ?

From: orietto	Date: February 23, 2005 at 18:09
some dupes here knows if it has pressed also in japan as the escape label sounds poor 4 such masterpiece hehehe 10!

From: Swriter	Date: February 23, 2005 at 18:14
this is available from the artist Ernie White's web site, do a search, I try to buy from the artists whenever possible. Again, a must have of 80's aor !!!

From: Mario Netta	Date: February 23, 2005 at 19:17
Hi Mr.Orietto,I know you always search the jap dupes pressings but I think it must be pressed,yet.I think it's a must even if it's on Escape label,I know you have the pustole for thiese paper labels ahahahah

From: Nick C

Date: March 23, 2005 at 17:08

This is a pretty excellent release (I haven't got this on CD yet just the old black stuff!) Frontline is a real classic AOR anthem of a song with great stabbing keyboards and guitar, in fact the first 3 tracks are gems. Never Let the Rock Stop let's the side down a little I feel but that's my only moan. I believe they recorded a second album that wasn't a patch on this and was never released...are the bonus tracks from it does anyone know?

From: aorjocke	Date: March 24, 2005 at 3:26
Hi Nick C! I have the Unreleased second album on mp3 and those two tracks are not taken from it.It's more standard hardrock than AOR on the second...

From: Kim HP	Date: March 27, 2005 at 5:53
No doubt that this is a classic AOR album. Ernie White has a very strong voice, and most of these songs are awesome pieces of 80's melodic rock. Hightlights include the bombastic opener 'Front Line', 'Don't Turn Away' (the pre-chorus in this song is killer!), 'Wrong Place...' and the incredible ballad 'Magic'.

From: Swriter	Date: March 28, 2005 at 12:55
just a note, this one seems to have a recent repressing along with Red Dawn, check out neh records site!!!

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: October 5, 2005 at 11:45
This was another of my Fave raves when it was first issued in the mid 80's & is a disc I still really like & play quite often. Classy Melodic rock, choc to the brim with great songs- 'Wrong Place Wrong Time' 'Frontline' & 'Too Young' especially hit the mark. The Bonus tracks are ok but hardly essential listening. Most people here will have this one already, so nothing more need be said.

From: ashen_light

Date: January 16, 2006 at 15:32

Absolutely phenomenal!!! Probably one of the most uderrated bands!! One thing for sure-great tallent which results in a high quality sound with brilliant musicianship and awesome lyrics. The energy these guys deliver is fucking immense!! Listen to 'Can't stop' or the opener-'Front line'-adrenaline rushers!!! One of the best ballads I ever heard and most likely will never hear in my life! Listen to'What happened to the Magic'.This is not just music-this is poetry!And what a kind!Bravo AVIATOR!!

From: Geoff

Date: March 8, 2006 at 22:00

Holy f*cking jeezus! One look at this cover and I expected nothing. I admit I wrote it off immediately, until I heard it! This is absolutely amazing, blistering melodic rock. The opener 'Frontline' is sensational and sets the pace. 'Don't turn away', 'Come back', 'Wrong place wrong time' are all brilliant, but as said above, there is barely a poor track on this. 'Magic' is completely stunning, and overall his is a 100 0.000000e+00ssential peice of melodic rock. Best I've heard in ages, HIGHLY recommended.

From: FLmetalhead517	Date: June 22, 2006 at 3:26
I got this LP for Christmas last year. Excellent album with great songs! Play it loud with the car windows down, especially 'Back on the Street', 'Can't Stop', and 'Frontline'. 'Magic' and 'Don't Turn Away' are solid and smooth tracks. As I said, Excellent album! 10 out of 10!

From: kipvanpearcy	Date: August 14, 2006 at 20:26
Pretty good, although I wouldn't call this CD a classic. There are indeed some great tracks like 'Don't turn away' and 'Through' the night, but the rest is just good, not excellent. The singer has a great voice and it's very melodic.

From: Clayton77	Date: December 2, 2006 at 17:43
Brilliant stuff...go out and buy!!!! Aviator is the No.1 of all time!!

From: sanxdowntherainbow	Date: February 6, 2007 at 19:09
Great Band, great album, great songs...need to say more? AVIATOR is one of the best AOR/Hard rock Bands!...and the whole album is pure 'magic'....by the way 'MAGIC' is the best song here! 10/10

From: barker	Date: May 9, 2008 at 18:16
Sensational Mid 80s AOR/MHR but why add 2 sub-standard bonus tracks - this seems to happen far too often with many re-issues these days.

From: rbrigade	Date: February 10, 2009 at 6:57
Good album, not as great as mentioned by many. I'm strict with ratings, I'd rate this with 75/100. Frontline and Can't stop are my favorites. I recently bought Ernie White's Scenes from America. Don't expect anything like Aviator, nor AOR. Laid back accoustic bluesy pop rock...boring I might say...

From: 123charpenay	Date: May 7, 2009 at 16:41
top class hard fm US cd s.a must only hits!!!!!!!!!!

From: DanDare	Date: October 16, 2010 at 19:20
'Front Line' and 'Don't Turn Away' are the memorable tracks for me, although their all excellent. It's a really fun album and therefore difficult to find fault with. The riffs and the harmonies are what make this album. An essential for the collection. Shame their was only one album from these guys.

From: Richard Head	Date: September 17, 2011 at 21:49
Great album!! I remember seeing them live at a place called Murphey's Law in Long Branch N.J. This is a must have for all AOR freaks..

From: 123charpenay

Date: January 9, 2012 at 11:41

i have aviator "the demos".it s a no official japan import.this is their demos for their second album.i can t believe that these extraordinary demos never see the light of day.ok the sound is a demo sound.it is not perfect but the sound is great for demos.like in their first record there is only hits only super songs!!!super class american hard melodic rock.one day maybe a label will have the good idea to remaster these supers demos.

From: ROBERT	Date: March 20, 2012 at 22:42
SUPER MASTER PIECE!

From: JapLance	Date: January 26, 2013 at 11:49
I've enjoyed this CD 26 years after its release. Back then it was really hard to know a lot of the bands that had only a local success. I hadn't heard of them until know. Sad that they didn't release any more material.

From: Locoaor	Date: July 24, 2013 at 0:09
Joya indispensable para amante del rock melodico, disco que desde el prime tema de vuela la tapa del cerebro con grandes melodias, excelentes riff, una voz sublime y enconjunto una canciones como Frontline y Dont Turn Away espectaculares, 100/10.

From: juan carlos	Date: July 24, 2013 at 12:54
Hey deleted my old comments!!! Well, The song that defines this Magnificient & Hidden Gem CD is "Magic". You Have to get this one Now! Purchase it Rctm!!! 94/100

From: 123charpenay	Date: July 9, 2016 at 15:45
exceptional melodic rock record.this realise is very strong ,very solid and very consistant.no fillers at the horizon,only killer songs with an excellent singer and some irresistible melodies.i can add that the production is absoluty perfect.a must have for all hard f m fans on this earth.don t miss this gem.a priority in your collection.

From: titothetitan	Date: November 6, 2019 at 17:26
Very nice album! And the band actually recorded a follow-up album with 14 tracks that never saw the light of day. You can find the demos on the internet.

From: 707STAR	Date: November 23, 2019 at 2:43
YES FOLKS A ROCK GEM CLASSIC. GREAT ALBUM HERE. TOO BAD THEY DID NOT STRIKE BACK.

From: titothetitan	Date: December 5, 2019 at 17:35
The album is great but it lacks one or two ballads. I think the bonus tracks would be part of the follow-up album.

From: Thomas/Coastline

Date: March 28, 2021 at 16:26

A highly regarded classic in AOR/Melodic Rock music is the self-titled debut by American band Aviator. They were formed in New York back in 1984 and the line-up consisted of members: Ernie White (vocals), Richie Cerniglia, ex. Network (guitars), Steve Vitale (bass) and Mike Ricciardella, also ex. Network (drums). The band signed a management deal with Tommy Mottola as well as a recording contract with RCA records, who released the album to little acclaim in 1986. It was recorded at Electric Lady Studios, produced by the famous Neil Kernon but failed to make it big commercially due to poor promotion by the label. However, the music featured here is first class, high quality melodic rock with several great songs like opener “Frontline”, the rocking “Back On The Street”, “Don’t Turn Away”, “Wrong Place, Wrong Time”, “Can’t Stop” and superb AORster “Too Young”. Fans of Aldo Nova, early Bon Jovi, FM – “Indiscreet”, Nightranger and Icon – “Night Of The Crime” should really enjoy this very mu

From: Dx7	Date: October 30, 2021 at 7:41
Best aor album of all time, if we discard the various Journey, Survivor, Toto, Boston...

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