Surviving members of the 1980s South Florida heavy metal juggernaut, Tuff Luck, are the focus of a new documentary to premier at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Saturday, February 21st. Members of the rock quartet as well as the film’s Executive Producer, Andrew Klein, will be present at the premiere that pays homage to the band that put South Florida’s music scene on the map for others to follow.

Before South Florida gave rise to Marilyn Manson, Saigon Kick, and The Mavericks, there were four outstanding musicians that drew the attention of large music labels, legendary record producers, and industry executives. They were collectively known as Tuff Luck. Music business moguls like Tom Dowd, Jason Flom, CBS Records, and many others were courting the group in search of the next cash cow in what was an explosion of rock romanticism in America in the mid to late 1980s.

“It was a surreal time… we thought they were destined for the stars,” shares film producer, Andrew Klein, brother of the group’s late drummer. “The film focuses on the band’s meteoric rise in the South Florida area and the industry’s relentless quest to snatch the group.”

As the world’s insatiable appetite for rock was exploited by the industry, members of the Fort Lauderdale band suddenly found themselves in the pages of national and international music magazines among some of the world’s most celebrated rock icons of the time – Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake. Fans by the thousands began filling local music venues to catch the musical virtuosos. Sadly, at the height of the group’s popularity, drummer, Todd Kelly, was gunned down in North Miami, bringing momentum to a screeching halt.

Tuff Luck, the film, features all surviving members of Tuff Luck, the group: Dave Scott (guitarist), James Marino (bassist), Kenny Monroe (lead vocals), and original bassist, Kenny Allen Thomas, as well as Jason Flom of Lava Records, Marc Ferrari of Keel and Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, among others. Check out the official movie trailer:

The Tuff Luck documentary will see a DVD release on the same date as its theatrical premier, February 21st; pre-order your copy via the Amazon widget below.