About the film “Tuff Luck” by Adrienne Papp
For every rock and roll band striving to grab that ever elusive brass ring and “make it” in the music business, there’s a million others, equally as talented, equally as inspired, equally as hard working, that unfortunately never get their shot for a confluence of reasons…timing, fate and just plain dumb luck.
This is the story of Tuff Luck.
Some bands were meant to succeed and others, despite their efforts, are destined to crash and burn, their golden dreams of musical stardom abruptly torpedoed and vanquished. Velocity Films is proud to announce their latest film venture. A documentary charting the dramatic rise and fall of Tuff Luck, a criminally unheralded ’80s hard rock band blessed with prodigious musical gifts. In an alternate universe, Tuff Luck should have graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine but instead has withered in total obscurity. That is until now…
The film focuses on Tuff Luck’s formation, rise, and eventual demise while also drawing attention to the once thriving and vital music scene in Florida.
Based in South Florida, the aptly named Tuff Luck became the hottest attraction on the local music scene by 1986, routinely drawing thousands of fans to their gigs. They released one album on Ann Boleyn’s underground label, New Renaissance Records. The self-entitled debut included fan favorites such as “Sleaze if you Please”, “Tonight Tonight”, and “Take it or Leave it.” Tuff Luck was on the precipice of landing a huge record deal with Atlantic Records when they seemingly had everything going for them. Over the course of their ten-year career, the gifted hard rock outfit were an odds on favorite in the “next big thing” rock and roll sweepstakes and had expanded their profile, opening shows for hair metal giants, Dokken and Stryper among others.
What made Tuff Luck stand out from the countless other metal bands populating the region was their uncanny level of musicianship, skill and consummate showmanship. Virtuoso guitarist Dave Scott and bassist James Marino were championed as future stars on the rise in Mike Varney’s high profile monthly column in Guitar Player magazine. Meanwhile, drummer Todd Kelly was voted Florida’s “Best Drummer” on multiple occasions, attracting attention from endorsement suitors such as Paiste. Rounding out the metal quartet was vocalist Kenny Monroe, with his commanding stage presence and smoky charisma, he was the ultimate front man. All the ingredients were in place for a national breakthrough, all except the elusive major record deal.
Had the fickle hand of fate anointed them the career break they deserved, their story would have been an altogether different one. Tuff Luck would have been recognized as one of the leaders of the ’80s hard rock scene. Under the aegis of filmmaker Andrew Klein, the saga of the band doesn’t end there. The documentary chronicles Tuff Luck’s uphill quest for world domination, emboldened by a refreshing “warts and all” slant. It’s a story of survival, a story of stubborn dedication, a story of fierce commitment and unwavering ambition. A story of four close friends who shared big dreams. Quite simply, it’s a tribute to the enduring spirit and magic of rock and roll music and a story that we, the fortunate and the beleaguered, can all relate.
About the Author of This Article: Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist, economist and feature writer, who has written for many publications including Savoir; The Westside Today Publications ; such as Beverly Hills 90210; Malibu Beach; Santa Monica Sun; The Beverly Hills Times; Brentwood News; Bel-Air View ; Celebrity Society ; Celeb Staff ; It Magazine; Chic Today; LA2DAY; West Side Today among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicity and publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazine is owned by Atlantic United, Inc. Atlantic Publicity just opened a new extension to it : PublicityLosAngeles. Adrienne Papp is a member of the International Press Academy.
She is the Founder, CEO and President of Youthful & Ageless ™, Bringing Information to Billions™, An Honorable Cause™
