She Sheila

The song She Sheila by The Producers from their 1982 album You Make the Heat carries a nostalgic charm that resonates with fans of early '80s new wave and power pop. One fascinating story comes from a fan named Shelia, who shared on the blog 45 Ruminations Per Megabyte that in 1982, after a heated argument with her boyfriend, he stormed off in his car only to return frustrated because She Sheila was blasting on the radio when he turned it on. This serendipitous moment tied the song to their personal drama, highlighting its emotional pull. Another tidbit from a Reddit post in the r/80smusic community praises the song’s infectious energy, with a user noting they played it during a solo '80s dance party at home, appreciating the band’s use of heavy Oberheim synthesizers, which the keyboardist wielded like a keytar. The song also found a home in college radio, as a DJ recalled in the same 45 Ruminations blog, sneaking She Sheila into early morning rotations at WLLI in Joliet in 1991, drawn to its starred prominence in their station’s vinyl collection.

Despite its popularity on MTV, where the video was in heavy rotation during the channel’s early years, She Sheila only reached #48 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, as noted on 45 Ruminations Per Megabyte. Fans on Reddit lament that the song and the album You Make the Heat deserved more mainstream success, with one user calling the entire album “fantastic from start to finish.” The Eighties Rare Videos blog highlights the song’s role in The Producers’ brief MTV stardom, noting their performance at the 1982/83 MTV New Year’s Eve concert. The quirky video, described as “wonderfully ridiculous” yet polished, added to its charm, cementing She Sheila as a cult favorite among Zoo Freaks who love its catchy hooks and retro vibe.

The Producers began as a Beatles cover band named Cartoon in Atlanta, Georgia, before shifting to original material in the late 1970s. The original lineup featured Van Temple on guitar and vocals, Kyle Henderson on bass and vocals, Wayne Famous (Wayne McNatt) on keyboards, and Bryan Holmes on drums. Their energetic performances in Atlanta nightclubs quickly caught attention, leading to a deal with Columbia Records’ subsidiary Portrait Records, facilitated by producer Tom Werman, known for working with Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon. Their debut album, The Producers (1981), included the hit What She Does to Me, which reached #61 on the Billboard Hot 100, while their follow-up, You Make the Heat (1982), spawned She Sheila. The band toured extensively, opening for acts like Cheap Trick and The Motels, but was dropped by Portrait after their second album. Despite later releases on smaller labels and a brief MCA contract in the late 1980s, they never regained their early momentum.

Today, The Producers maintain a modest online presence. Their official website, theproducersmusic.com, offers updates on their music and history. You can follow them on Facebook for posts about performances and nostalgia, and on Instagram for visual throwbacks. Their X account shares band updates and retro content, engaging with Zoo Freaks and '80s music lovers. Fans also connect through the The Producers Fan Club on Facebook, a group where enthusiasts share memories, rare videos, and vinyl finds. While Kyle Henderson now fronts Kyle Henderson’s Blue Eyed Soul and has a solo career, Wayne Famous works as a taxi driver and session musician, and Bryan Holmes runs a flooring business, the band occasionally reunites for shows, keeping the spirit of < She Sheila alive for their devoted fanbase.