Surrender

Websites:  No
Origin: Toronto, Ontario, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Emerging from the neon-lit embers of Toronto’s late-1970s disco scene, Surrender was a creative reinvention led by Italian-born vocalist and guitarist Alfie Zappacosta. After cutting his teeth in local R&B and disco ensembles—including a final stint with the vocal-heavy Janette Brant Lee project—Zappacosta made a conscious pivot away from the era’s glitz. Swapping his trumpet for a guitar, he set his sights on rock’s more textured terrain.

Surrender’s initial lineup drew heavily from the remnants of his previous outfit, with guitarist Steve Jensen and drummer Paul Delaney joining the fold. The group was rounded out in early 1979 with keyboardist Peter Curry and bassist Jeff Waddington, quickly establishing themselves on the Greater Toronto Area’s club circuit. Their sound—rooted in melodic rock but shaded with pop sophistication—attracted the attention of manager Ken Morris, leading to a deal with Capitol Records.

Their self-titled debut album, Surrender (1979), was tracked at Kitchen Sound Recording Studios and featured layered guitar lines, dynamic vocals, and polished arrangements. The lead single, “Finding Your Way,” made a modest impression, peaking at #97 on national charts. By the time the album dropped, however, Curry had been replaced by Peter Boynton on keyboards, marking the beginning of a series of lineup shifts that would challenge the band’s momentum.

Despite extensive touring, Surrender struggled to break into the mainstream. Still, Zappacosta remained the group’s creative anchor. In 1982, he released the No Surrender EP—written and produced by Zappacosta himself. The project featured a revolving cast of musicians who had been involved with the band during its later phase, including Steve Sexton, Gerald O’Brien, Gerry Mosby (ex-Rhinegold), Peter Goodale, Calvin Sauro, David Moyles, and Mitch Starkman.

The EP’s lead track, “It’s All Been Done Before,” became the group’s most successful single, breaking into the Canadian Top 40. A follow-up, “Start Again,” failed to chart, and the band was given one final opportunity—Capitol sent them to Los Angeles to develop a more commercially viable sound. The results, however, failed to impress management, and the project was shelved. Shortly after, the band was officially disbanded.

Post-Surrender, Gerald O’Brien joined Klaatu on tour before founding the jazz-electronic duo Exchange. Jensen and Delaney continued to perform as part of Zappacosta’s touring lineup as he transitioned into a solo career. Many of Surrender’s final recordings were reworked for Zappacosta’s self-titled 1984 solo debut, which featured production by Dee Long (of Klaatu) and songwriting collaborations with Bob Ezrin. Propelled by the hit single “Passion,” Zappacosta earned the 1984 Juno Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist, carrying forward the creative spirit first forged in the rehearsal spaces and stages of Surrender.

Though short-lived, Surrender was a pivotal launching pad for Zappacosta’s solo success and remains a noteworthy chapter in Toronto’s evolving rock landscape of the early '80s.
-Robert Williston