Rediscovering Saraya

Sometimes you just want a little obscure Glam.

Saraya were one of the few female fronted Glam bands of the 1980s. Hailing from the east coast, the band formed in the mid 1980s under a different name. Eventually becoming "Saraya" after lead singer Sandi Saraya, the band also featured Tony "Bruno" Rey (guitar), Gary Taylor (bass), Gregg Munier (keyboard) and Chuck Bonfante (drums). Saraya landed a deal with Polygram and released two albums.

Sandi was once married to Brian Wheat, the bassist for Tesla. The marriage didn't last and neither did Saraya...but the songs we have are true gems and so are the videos!

Check out these *very* Glam clips:

"Back to the Bullet"

"Love Has Taken Its Toll"

Comments

[aXe mAn]

Sandi Saraya had such a great voice! Too bad that they didn't get to release more stuff...

[captkid7800]

SARAYA is one the best bands that never really got popular. Both albums are incredible and have songs that could & should have been radio/MTV hits. I was never fortunate enough to see them live, but can only imagine.

My brothers and I will never forget SARAYA, since one of my brothers named his daughter SARAYA.

[Christine]

Didn't they do a song featuring Kip Winger? I can't remember the name of it to save my life, but I loved it. I apologize if it is one of videos posted above; my work internet doesn't allow videos so I can't see them. :)

[Jay]

Saraya was a fav of mine back in the day. I can't believe how little info there is on them out on the internet. What Allison posted is pretty much all I've seen.

[kari]

Hairball John was talking about this band just a few weeks ago. Had me CRACKIN' up laughing at his stories. Everyone be sure to check out the Hairball John Radio Show on the web. Great Stuff!

[Ryo Vie]

The one thing I will always remember about Saraya is how Sandi did not want the band to gain popularity with her image. She wanted it to be all about the music, not her looks. That's why on the cover of their debut, her face is mostly obscured by dark shadows.

That was a bold move back in the day and I always respected her for that. And Saraya's debut album (which I own on cassette) is an excellent recording.

[gerry g]

Saraya's original tour manager, Howard Samuels, is a good friend. These days, it's Dr. Samuels, and he is worth millions of dollars as the founder of Wonderland, a treatment facility in West Hollywood that has seen such celebs as Lindsay Lohan and Mike Tyson (wonder if they hooked up?) among dozens of other big names trying to recover from addiction ...

[lajustice77]

the guitar player Tony Bruno also played the majority of the guitars on Danger Danger's debut.

[Steve]

GREAT to even see Saraya's name mentioned again! I saw them many, many times in the late 80's/early 90's. They headlined a few smaller venues, but also opened for bands like Bad English.

There are two great bootleg videos floating around out there as well as a CD of studio demos (it's almost like having a NEW Saraya release).

And by the way, Saraya never did a song with Winger. You're thinking of Fiona (Your Sex in Me). They did, however do a song on the Shocker movie soundtrack called Timeless Love.

What an awesome band. They had the look, the sound and I'm sure a few hits in them if they only had a chance.

Thanks for spending a little time on one of the truly unsung bands of the day!!

[Roy]

The band I was in around the late 80's, DC STRUT supported Saraya in Syracuse New York at The Lost Horizon. Great band. I still have the advertisment in my scrap book. Now years later Strut has signed to Retrospect Records. www.myspace.com/dcstrut

[Nellie]

Wow1 I did need a little obscure glam; I've never heard of Saraya (I'm a young-un :D). She has a lovely voice, a little though and rough, but man can she hit and hold those notes!

[Dick]

Tony Bruno also played guitar for Joan Jett, and now plays for Enrique Iglesias! :-))

[Kat]

That video/song you're talking about with Kip Winger was with Fiona, and it was called, "You're Sexing Me." :)

[Hwyman]

Wow...by far one of my favorite bands from the late 80's. "Love Has Taken It's Toll" was almost like a theme for me growing up and perhaps form many years after. All their songs just never get old! Thanks to everyone for sharing.

[Rob]

But now theyre back!
www.thefirefest.com

[James]

I seen Saraya back in the day, they came to Toronto and opened for Badlands (I think, twas many moons ago). That live show did it for me, I was a Saraya fan ever since. It was the tour for BlackBird. I carried that album out to BC with me when I was 19 and shared it around, I was responsible for growing a small pocket of Saraya fans out there, that was my contribution to the Band's fame :)

I miss this band and always wondered what happened to them all, I never understood what kept them from being such a bigger band, they were good and great performers. Perhaps the music scene was changing or promotionally they just didnt get the breaks.

Last I heard was Sandi has 5 kids and her husband (Don't know who) recently had surgery, that is why she missed FireFest, the medical bills were way up to $200k and she wanted to also bring her kids, the gig fell through.

I really liked Tony's playing on the Blackbird album, his sound was great as well. I used to practice his solos and attempt to steal his sound.. failed, but, I had a lot of fun pretending I was going to be famous like the rest of us Guitar Hero's from the 80's and 90's.

There is stuff around the Net about Saraya but the Band's story is nowhere, I'd like to see a book or Documentary on this band! Please, someone capture the history and share it!

Perhaps build Dedicated Saraya Site, with some interviews with the band mates.. I think the KB player passed away.

Not sure how to get in touch with any of these people but it would be nice to hear what they've all been doing.

Saraya Rocks!

[Bogota Local]

Knew her from age 5 through 18. Great person and wish her all the best.