Search - Beggars & Thieves :: We Are the Brokenhearted

Beggars & Thieves was formed in New York in 1989 by singer Louie Merlino and guitarist Ronnie Mancuso. After five gigs and a demo recorded with Desmond Child (Bon Jovi, Areosmith), B&T was signed by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. Released around Christmas of 1990, Beggars & Thieves self-titled debut was critically acclaimed. The first single, "Beggars & Thieves", charted in Billboard's Top 40 Album Rock Charts and was in rotation on over 100 AOR radio stations. B&T then recorded their second album "Look What You Create" in Vancouver with collaborator Jim Vallance (Aerosmith, Scorpions, Bryan Adams). By the time of the release, grunge was king and Beggars were lumped in with the hair bands and considered pass their due date and thus disbanded. Louie and Ron started playing together again in 2004, opening shows for Tesla, Vince Neil, Ratt, Slaughter and Skid Row. Soon after, Beggars started recording the basic tracks for "We Are the Brokenhearted" with legendary NYC drummer Thommy Price (Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Billy Idol, Scandal) and his cohort in the Blackhearts, bassist Enzo Penizzotto. The live group is now rounded out by drummer Erik Gloege, who played for years with MCA recording artist Sass Jordan and 22 year old bassist Blake Newman, whose youth has invigorated the band. The new lineup played the renowned Firefest Festival in Nottingham, England in 2010 where they received glowing reviews and were voted biggest surprise of the festival!