Paul Lekakis
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Paul Lekakis (born 1966) is a Greek-American actor, model, playwright and club music / Hi-NRG artist who was discovered for his singing and dancing skills at a nightclub while on assignment as a model in Italy.
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[edit] Music career
His debut single, "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)" was released in 1987. The hit version was produced by Miki Chieregato and Roberto Turatti (who were noted Italo-disco producers from the 1980s), with additional production done by Ric Wake. The song was originally released on ZYX Records and peaked at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100, #60 on the UK singles chart, #2 in Canada and #1 on the Pop charts in Australia and Japan. This single received a great deal of attention for its suggestive lyrics (Boom boom boom / Let's go back to my room / Where we can do it all night / And you can make me feel right) and is Paul's best known song throughout the world. This led to a major label contract with Sire Records, on which his debut album, Tattoo It, was released in 1990. Despite the fact that the album received generally favorable reviews and dance music was popular on the American charts at the time, the album was a commercial failure by pop standards. The album did better with his pre-existing dance music fanbase, scoring the Top 20 Hot Dance Club Play hit, "My House".
Paul has since had significant success in the dance music community with club hits such as "Let It Out", "Assume The Position" and his latest hit "(I Need A) Vacation". He maintains a large following within the LGBT community.
In late 2006, Paul filmed a music video for the remix of "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)" in Palm Desert, California. The video is actually Paul's first for his hit single directed by Walid Azami. Internet rumors suggest a new album is in the works with new music and the 20th anniversary remix of "Boom Boom". His work even expands to that of the Dancemania Super Classics Best album, where "Boom Boom" was the 8th track. Currently Paul's new video is playing on Canadian music TV and dance clubs around the world. In late July 2007, the 20th anniversary remix appeared on the Billboard dance charts.
[edit] The Fruit Machine
Paul sang the title track to the British film The Fruit Machine, which was released in 1988. In the U.S., the film was re-named Wonderland. This song was produced by the noted production team of Stock Aitken Waterman, although it was never released commercially on any album. In fact, less than a minute of the song is played during the film, although Paul's name does appear in the film's credits. It is unknown whether a full-length version of the song exists or will ever be released.
[edit] Acting career
Lekakis's acting resume includes parts in such films as the queer horror film Hellbent, a co-starring role in the 2001 film Circuit and roles on the TV shows Out of Practice and Passions. In June 2005, Paul (and fitness trainer Clay Adkins) released a fitness DVD into Target stores throughout the United States called Partners.
He performed in the James Edwin Parker two-man stage play 2 Boys in a Bed on a Cold Winter's Night alongside fellow actor Scott Douglas Cunningham at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco, California July 5 - 29, 2007.
[edit] Personal life
Paul Lekakis was diagnosed with HIV around 1989, though he did not make this widely known until the 1990s. In recent years, he has played HIV-positive characters in several of his film appearances, has appeared on the cover of Poz magazine, and has spoken out publicly on HIV-related issues. Paul lives in the Los Angeles area. In a video interview, Ben Patrick Johnson refers to Paul as "my neighbor".[1]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- (1990) Tattoo It
[edit] Singles
- (1987) "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room)" [US #43, US Dance Chart #6, UK #60, CAN #2, AUS #1 (for 5.wks), South Africa #1, Japan #1]
- (1989) "You Blow Me Away"
- (1990) "My House" [US Dance Chart #17]
- (1990) "Tattoo It On Me"
- (1991) "Let It Out"
- (1992) "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room)" ('92 Remix)
- (1997) "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room)" ('97 Skitz Remix) [Australian-only release]
- (2001) "Assume the Position" -- from the "Circuit" movie soundtrack
- (2004) "I Think I Love You" -- from the "Hellbent" movie soundtrack
- (2004) "Paul Lekakis Mega Mix 2004" -- available at www.paullekakis.com
- (2006) "(I Need A) Vacation"
- (2007) "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room)" [20th Anniversary Remix]
[edit] References
- ^ "Left Coast 9/1 - Paul Lekakis", interview by Ben Patrick Johnson, Sep 2007.
Kevin Koffler (Feb 2000) "HIV: Behind The Music." Poz magazine.
