It’s a rock music celebration that has been expected for many, many years! On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the legendary American rock band The Hooters will perform for the first time in Greece, gracing the stage of Technopolis in Athens. It’s a historic moment not only for the Greek audience that grew up with their genre-defying hits, but also for a band that has continuously evolved and redefined the boundaries of rock music for 45 years.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Born out of Philadelphia’s thriving music scene in 1980, The Hooters — founded by Rob Hyman (vocals, keyboards) and Eric Bazilian (vocals, guitar) — rose to fame by blending rock, reggae, ska, folk and a healthy dose of New Wave sensibility into a sound that was not only radio-friendly but also deeply original. Armed with sharp songwriting and an ear for melodic innovation, the band carved out a distinct space in the rock landscape of the 1980s — a time when MTV reigned supreme and authenticity was often sacrificed in favor of style. The Hooters managed both, combining substance and flair in a rare, enduring balance.
The band’s origin story reads like a classic tale of American rock perseverance. After years of gigging through the East Coast circuit and releasing their independent debut album, “Amore” (1983), The Hooters caught the attention of Columbia Records, leading to the release of their breakthrough album “Nervous Night” (1985). That record, which achieved double platinum status in the U.S., catapulted them to international fame with hits like “And We Danced”, “Day by Day” and the mystically political “All You Zombies”.
Their blend of acoustic textures, reggae rhythms, folk-inspired harmonies, and rock hooks resonated not just in the U.S., but across the Atlantic. By the late 1980s, The Hooters had become major stars in Europe, with “Satellite” and “Johnny B” charting impressively and securing them appearances on shows like Top of the Pops.
The Hooters were never just entertainers. From their politically-charged “Zig Zag” (1989) — featuring a powerful reimagining of the folk classic “500 Miles”— to their participation in monumental cultural events such as Live Aid in 1985 and The Wall Concert in Berlin in 1990, the band repeatedly used their platform to stand for something greater than music alone.
Even their most accessible hits often bore lyrical weight. “Where Do the Children Go” explored themes of youth despair and alienation, while “Satellite” delivered biting satire aimed at televangelism and religious hypocrisy. These were messages delivered with catchy refrains and earnest performances, the result of the band’s ability to combine activism with accessibility.
Unlike many of their contemporaries, The Hooters did not fade into nostalgic obscurity. Even after a hiatus in the mid-1990s, they re-emerged in the early 2000s with the same fire and creative vitality that defined their early years. The album “Time Stand Still” (2007) was a reaffirmation of their musical integrity, marked by maturity, reflection and consistency. Their 2023 release, “Rocking & Swing”, signaled a return to their reggae and ska roots — not as a throwback, but as a reaffirmation of identity in a world that often chases novelty for novelty’s sake.
If The Hooters’ recordings have captivated listeners for decades, it is their live performances that solidified their reputation. Known for their on-stage energy, multi-instrumental dexterity and genuine camaraderie, the band transforms every concert into an intimate dialogue with the audience.
Their long-time lineup — including guitarist John Lilley, drummer David Uosikkinen and bassist Fran Smith Jr. — brings not only instrumental precision but an emotional authenticity that few legacy acts manage to maintain. It is this spirit that will animate Technopolis in June, as Greek fans finally get the chance to share the same physical space with a band that has accompanied them emotionally for decades.
The Hooters offer something timeless. Their music — sincere, melodic, rebellious in its own quiet way — still speaks. Their songs are postcards from different moments in time, yet they remain strangely relevant, perhaps even more so today than when they first charted. So, whether you’re a longtime fan who played “Nervous Night” on vinyl, or a younger listener curious to discover what makes The Hooters so enduring, their upcoming concert in Athens promises to be a celebration of authenticity, connection and sheer musical joy. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness one of rock’s most beloved bands live for the first time on Greek soil.
Some interesting facts about The Hooters!
- Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian met in 1971 at the University of Pennsylvania.
- They played in a Philadelphia-based band called Baby Grand, in the late 70s. Baby Grand released two albums on Arista Records.
- The Hooters took their name from a nickname for the melodica, a type of keyboard harmonica.
- In 1983 Bazilian and Hyman were asked to write, arrange and perform on the debut album of a singer named Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual”, which was being produced by their former producer and friend, Rick Chertoff. Hyman co-wrote the song “Time After Time” (and also sang the lower harmony vocal in the choruses), which went to hit Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and was subsequently nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year!
- Just before the band were about to experience mainstream success, Rob Miller (bass) was seriously injured in an automobile accident and was replaced by Andy King.
- The band first released “All You Zombies” independently in 1982. The version most people know is a re-recorded version from their Columbia Records debut “Nervous Night” (1985), which gave it a wider audience.
- While The Hooters enjoyed moderate success in the U.S., they achieved huge popularity in Europe, especially in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. They headlined stadium shows and appeared regularly on European TV.
- Eric Bazilian is a musical polymath: he plays guitar, bass, mandolin, saxophone and vocals—and even wrote “One of Us”, the 1995 hit sung by Joan Osborne! Rob Hyman plays keyboards, accordion, melodica, and sings lead and harmony vocals.
- The video for “And We Danced” was filmed at the Exton Drive-In Theater in Pennsylvania. With its catchy chorus and quirky visual appeal, the video became a regular on MTV, helping the band gain widespread attention.
