US melodic pomp-rock band formed at the end of the 70s by Kevin Russell (guitar/vocals), Jim McClarty (drums), Duke McFadden (b. John McFadden, USA, d. 5 April 2005; keyboards/vocals), and Phil Bryant (bass/vocals). 707 debuted in 1980 with a radio-friendly self-titled album, characterized by strong musicianship and instantly contagious hooklines and choruses, most notably on the minor US hit ‘I Could Be Good For You’. McFadden left following the release of the debut album and the band’s next two albums adopted a more metallic approach, with The Second Album deservedly reaching the lower reaches of the US Billboard chart. 1982’s Mega Force, produced by Keith Olsen and featuring additional members Tod Howarth (keyboards/guitar) and Kevin Chalfant (vocals), also provided the theme tune for the movie of the same name. Unfortunately, the creative ideas had started to run dry by this stage, while the songs duplicated earlier ideas and were generally less immediate. Internal disputes became more and more common, and, despite the addition of Felix Robinson (bass, ex-Angel), the band finally fell apart in 1983.
Howarth went on to play with Frehley’s Comet and Cheap Trick while Chalfant backed Kim Carnes and Night Ranger before co-founding the Storm in 1991. Russell went on to work with Phantom, Rocker And Slick before resurrecting the 707 name in 2000, recording a new studio album with Don Bassey (bass) and Denny Carmassi (drums). He has continued to fly the 707 flag in the early 00s.
