Book Of Love/Metrolight

Ted Ottaviano, one of the art-students-turned- musician in the new wave electronic group Book of Love, has a long history with “the perfect pop song.” Book of Love formed in the early ’80s in New York when, as he once put it, “the post-punk thing was in full-fledged formation.” One underground venue, the Pyramid Club, became the band’s “local watering hole.” A DJ there had played a demo of “Boy,” a tune that starts with simple keyboard riff and hushed vocals before distinctive "tubular bells" kick in. Sire Records’ Seymour Stein took notice and signed the band to a record deal; the group went on to became a successful dance act before breaking up in 1993. In the wake of the release of 2016's MMXVI – Book of Love – The 30th Anniversary Collection, an album that features re-mastered versions of the band’s greatest hits and never-before released demos, the band played an anniversary show in New York and has been on the road ever since. (Jeff Niesel)