The Jets are a Tongan family band from Minneapolis, Minnesota comprising 17 siblings, who specialize in pop, r&b and dance music.

The Band

The original band consisted of the 8 oldest children of Maikeli "Mike" and Vaké Wolfgramm:

• LeRoy (born Jul 19,1965) - electric guitar
• Eddie (born Aug 14,1966) - saxophone, percussion
• Eugene (born Sept 24,1967) - vocals
• Haini (born Jan 25, 1968) - bass guitar
• Rudy (born Mar 1,1969) - drums
• Kathi (born Sept 6,1970) - keyboards
• Elizabeth (born Aug 19,1972) - vocals
• Moana (born Oct 13, 1973) - vocals

Mike and Vaké, who have 17 children total, are originally from the South Pacific island kingdom of Tonga.

The Hits

The Jets under the original lineup had a number of Hot 100 hits, including 5 that hit the Top 10: "Crush On You," "You Got It All," "Cross My Broken Heart," "Rocket 2 U," and "Make It Real." Also One Top 20 Hit "I Do You". "Sendin' All My Love," which only went to #88 on the Hot 100, hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. "You Got It All" and "Make It Real," both ballads featuring lead vocals by Elizabeth Wolfgramm, were #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart. They were nominated for a Grammy award in 1988 for the song "Rocket 2 U".

Outside Projects

In 1988, Eugene (under the alias Gene Hunt) along with Joe Pasquale formed the duo Boys Club ("I Remember Holding You," Hot 100 #8). Eugene later reunited for the album "The Best of The Jets" (1990) but he and other siblings (Eddie, Elizabeth, Kathi) eventually left the band in succession. The band also performed the theme song for the 1989 Disney cartoon series "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers," and were featured in the soundtrack for "Beverly Hills Cop 2" (1987) ("Cross My Broken Heart") and "The Karate Kid Part III" ("Under Any Moon"). In 2007, Kathi, Elizabeth and Moana, along with sisters Jennifer and Hinalei release a gospel themed album called "My Sisters".

Sports Event Performances

The band performed at both the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. They also performed The Star-Spangled Banner at the seventh game of the 1987 World Series, held in their hometown of Minneapolis.

Rupert Holmes

Their 1986 hit "You Got It All" was written and composed by Rupert Holmes, famous for his hit "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" and for his Tony-award winning musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Holmes also penned a few other songs for The Jets but none were as successful as their first collaboration.

Appreciation

American pop sensation Britney Spears has also covered the hit, "You Got It All," which appears on international editions of her 2000 hit album "Oops!...I Did It Again." Also, Arnee Hidalgo, Pinay and MYMP also covered the song. Pop singer Aaron Carter covered their song "Crush On You" on his first album, which became his hit. Singer Nayobe, covered "Make It Real" and her version became a hit in Latin America.

Lineup & Music Changes

Throughout the 1990s, the band picked up other members of the family, and turned more toward religious music increasing their following among fellow Mormons. The current lineup includes founding members LeRoy and Haini, along with Rudy (manages and produces the group) and 6 younger siblings Donnie, EtiVise, Maliana, Mika, Natalia, and Tony, plus cousins Ashton and Leipua Silito. Though nowadays, The Jets rarely perform, some members are still busy in the music business. With the older sisters group "My Sisters", to Haini's group "I'Kona", to the younger sibilings-Mika, Donnie, Kelela and Tiare band called "Against The Season", the family continues to find the love of music in all forms.

Discography

Albums

• The Jets (1985) MCA #19 US - RIAA Platinum
• Christmas with The Jets (1986) MCA
• Magic (1987) MCA #35 US - RIAA Platinum
• Hot Hits (1987) (Exclusive Kool-Aid Koolers promotional cassette)
• Believe (1989) MCA #107 US - RIAA Gold
• The Best of The Jets (1990) MCA
• Love People (1995) Liberty Park
• Love Will Lead The Way (1997) Shadow Mountain
• Then & Now (1998) KTEL
• 20th Century Masters - Millennium Collection (2001) UME
• All Their Best (2003) KTEL
• Versatility (All digital release) (2006) UME