BoDeans

Like many ambitious artists, BoDeans received a musical boost after being embraced by Hollywood: the Wisconsin band’s rootsy, upbeat 1993 single “Closer to Free” ended up a hit after becoming the theme song of the TV drama Party of Five. That widespread success came more than a decade after school pals Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas started collaborating together and cutting their teeth in Milwaukee’s music scene. Major labels came calling, and the T Bone Burnett-produced 1986 debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams—as well as stirring anthems such as 1987’s “Only Love”—established BoDeans as one of America’s most promising heartland rock bands. Tours with U2, contributions to Robbie Robertson’s 1987 solo debut and sonic experimentation soon followed, highlighted by 1991’s keyboard-buffed Black and White, produced by Prince collaborator David Z. In the ensuing decades, BoDeans weathered challenges—including Llanas’ sudden 2011 departure from the band, followed years later by a deep personal rift between him and Neumann—but maintained a steady touring and recording schedule.