To give you a detailed history on Cinderella & Britny Fox... Tom Keifer, Eric Brittingham and Michael Kelly Smith (known then as Mike Schermick) played in a cover band in the early 80's with a female singer called the Pricsilla Harriet band. The 3 of them quit the band cause they wanted to play original music and they formed Cinderella with Tony Destra in the band.
They recorded a shitload of demos at this time (Gene Simmons actually expressed interest in the band) and played locally in the Philly/ South Jersey area. While Bon Jovi was recording their 7800 Farenheit album, Jon checked them out at the Empire Rock Club, liked what he saw and put a good word in for them at the record label. At the same time though, Cinderella was talking to this label. The record label told them to get rid of Tony Desta and Mike Schermick (aka Michael Kelly Smith) because image was very important in those days and they didnt really have the "look".
Tony Destra was also considerably older than the rest of the guys so that didnt help him. In comes Jeff LaBar and drummer Jimmy Drnec and the label liked them and they were signed to a 6 month spec deal which gives the label the option of dropping the band if sales sucked. While the band were seeking producers, Jimmy Drnec recommened Andy Johns. Little did he know his recommendation pretty much sealed his fate. While recording Night Songs, Andy Johns flat out just didnt like him. This guy is extremely hard on drummers....the guy recorded Bonham for Christs sake!!!! The band had to make the decision to let Jimmy go and they got session drummer Jody Cortez to do the album. AFTER Night Songs was complete, they settled on Fred Coury.
Meanwhile, Michael Kelly Smith and Tony Destra form Britny Fox with Dean Davidson (who played DRUMS in a band called World War III) and bassist "Wild" Bill Degley (Billy Childs). Dean wrote ALL the songs and it was Dean's choice to emulate Tom Keifer's style. This was stated in an interview with Billy Childs. On the night Britny Fox got their record deal, the band celebrated and while Tony Destra drove home, he was killed in a car accident. The next drummer was a guy by the name of Adam West. He didn't last long and they settle on Johnny Dee who just finished playing in Waysted. Thats the complete story!!!
