Linear were an American freestyle pop group who emerged from the Miami dance-pop scene in the late 1980s. The group grew out of a collaboration between singer
Charlie Pennachio and producer
Tolga Katas, whose song, "Sending All My Love," would become a Top Ten hit for
Linear when it was picked up by Atlantic in 1990. By the time of their self-titled breakthrough debut,
Pennachio had been joined by guitarist Wyatt Pauley and percussionist
Joey Restivo, and their dance-oriented pop contained elements of guitar rock. While their next single, "T.L.C.," made a good showing at number 30 on Billboard's Hot 100, its accompanying album, 1992's Caught in the Middle, failed to chart. After a handful of lineup shuffles,
Linear released "Let's Go All the Way" in 1994.
Pennachio went on to write and produce a handful of hits for artists like
Mandy Moore,
Anastacia, and
John Rich.
Linear remained active as a duo (
Pennachio and Pauley) into the 2020s. ~ Timothy Monger