i-Ten

i-Ten was a short-lived hard rock/AOR venture by the legendary '80s pop songwriting team of Billy Steinberg (guitar/vocals) and Tom Kelly (guitar/keyboards/vocals), who had had some success writing for others but hadn't yet hit the big time. Steinberg and Kelly teamed up with a number of rock session vets, including Toto's Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, and David Paich, plus Journey drummer Mike Baird, Richard Page (later of Mr. Mister), and others. i-Ten's lone album, Taking a Cold Look, was released in 1983 and co-produced by Lukather and Keith Olsen. While it produced no hit singles (and most of the musicians returned to their day jobs), the title track was later covered by Honeymoon Suite, and the ballad "Alone" was taken to the top of the charts by Heart in 1987. By that time, Steinberg and Kelly would be established pop hitmakers, penning songs like Madonna's "Like a Virgin," Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors," Whitney Houston's "So Emotional," and the Bangles' "Eternal Flame." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide