Giant’s David Huff discusses new LP and classic songs

By Warren Kurtz

Thirty-five years ago, Giant was in the Top 40 with “See You in My Dreams,” a power ballad sharing the chart with a pair of songs in a similar genre, Aerosmith’s “What it Takes” and KISS’ “Forever.” The song was the third single from their debut album Last of the Runaways, with vocalist and guitarist Dann Huff, his brother David Huff on drums, bassist Mike Brignardello, and keyboardist Alan Pasqua. Now the U.S.’s David Huff and Mike Brignardello are joined by Sweden’s vocalist Kent Hilli and guitarist Jimmy Westerlund, on the new Giant album Stand and Deliver from Frontiers Music, based in Italy. Goldmine spoke with David Huff about this international collaboration, after looking back on both sides of their Top 40 hit.

Giant’s current lineup L to R: Mike Brignardello, David Huff, Kent Hilli, Jimmy Westerlund, photo by Enzo Mazzeo

GOLDMINE: Welcome to Goldmine. When singles transitioned from vinyl to cassette, “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” from Last of the Runaways was released and became a wonderful power ballad Top 40 hit. The recording sounds like songs my wife Donna listens to on SiriusXM’s Hair Nation station, with a touch of Scorpions and Whitesnake.

DAVID HUFF: That was an incredible time in our lives when rock and roll was a big part of the pop music scene. We had a lot of influences and the guys from Scorpions would come to our shows in Europe, which was great. It was surreal to hang out with them and KISS, too.

GM: The flip side of the cassette single, also from the album, was “Stranger to Me” with a Bad Company edge. It is powerful, bluesy, and your steady drums are locked in with Mike’s bass.

DH: Thank you. We had such a great time making those recordings back in the day. We stayed at a residential studio in London for four months. It was incredible. In our original lineup, my brother Dann’s voice was influenced by Free and Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers and Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, soulful rock singers who we enjoyed in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Giant

Fabulous Flip Side: Stranger to Me

A side: I’ll See You in My Dreams

Billboard Hot 100 debut: March 24, 1990

Peak position: No. 20

A&M TS-1495

From Frontiers Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats

GM: After the early 1990s, I know you began working with a variety of performers including a pair of country female singers who I have seen here in Daytona Beach as part of the Country 500 festival series, Martina McBride and Sara Evans.

DH: Yes, the band ended its initial run after our second album, Time to Burn, in 1992, and I moved back to Nashville. Martina was the first artist who I worked with, and I am now working with Sara. I have some amazing friends in this business and both ladies are sweethearts.

GM: In addition to the music you have worked on with others, there have been Giant albums; most recently, 2022’s Shifting Time, and now Stand and Deliver which opens with “It’s Not Right.” Kent’s vocals are wonderful, Jimmy’s guitar playing reminds me of Steve Howe’s work with Asia, and the lyrics jump out, “no easy way out” and “it’s not fair to start over again.”

DH: We had a great time making this album. We had a lineup change. John Roth had been playing guitar with us for years, but he had a scheduling conflict with Winger, so we found Jimmy through Frontiers. He is a great player, adding a nice flair to our sound.

GM: Jimmy also has a great guitar solo on “A Night to Remember.” Kent’s vocals are emotional. I mentioned Whitesnake before, in this case he sounds a bit like David Coverdale, and your drumming steadily holds the song together.

DH: Kent’s vocals are powerful but also have a soul to it. Kent and Jimmy are sweethearts of guys, both based in Sweden.

GM: Eddie Money had an ‘80s hit called “I Wanna Go Back,” which I hear a touch of in the catchy “Hold the Night,” along with your explosive drumming.

DH: Do I need to Venmo you some money for these compliments? Eddie Money has a big influence on us. Our original keyboardist, Alan Pasqua, toured with Eddie, and we got to play as his backup band for a couple shows. “Shakin’” and “Two Tickets to Paradise” are my favorite Eddie Money songs. It’s kind of surreal when you get to play with one of your music heroes who you grew up listening to.

GM: The spiritual “I Will Believe” is catchy yet edgy, with an ending reminding me of Journey.

DH: When you make a record, it is like Jambalaya, stirring up different influences. We pay homage to all these different acts including Foreigner, Whitesnake, Bryan Adams, and Elton John.

“When you make a record, it is like Jambalaya, stirring up different influences. We pay homage to all these different acts including Foreigner, Whitesnake, Bryan Adams and Elton John.” – Giant’s David Huff

GM: “Time to Call it Love” has a touch of “St. Elmo’s Fire” with ‘80s keyboard sounds. It is a wonderful love anthem, like what Sammy Hagar can deliver.

DH: This is one of the songs that came from Alessandro Del Vecchio and the guys from Frontiers. We listened to the demo and said, “This is a Giant song! Let’s make it ours.” I must give Serafino Perugino, the founder of Frontiers, a lot of credit for his undying loyalty to rock and roll, and to Giant. He has been a champion of ours to keep Giant alive, and said, “David, there is an audience for you. We must record Giant!” I appreciate his support and your support of Giant and your kind words about our album. It means a lot.