ELI HOLLAND, a native of Brooklyn, New York, now resides in Ramona, California, with a ZIP code of 92065. As of 2025, he will be 72 years old and boasts over 35 years of experience as a professional vocalist. Currently, he serves as the lead vocalist and frontman for a San Diego-based group known as The Original Starfires (2). In addition to his performance work, Eli is a prolific songwriter, having composed more than two dozen songs, several of which have been recently recorded and performed by his band.

Eli's musical journey began at the age of sixteen when he formed his first cover band to combat stage fright, a move that proved successful. He continued to refine his skills through various cover bands and gained notable recognition when he starred in the first post-Broadway production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” It was during this time that he discovered his talent for songwriting, subsequently fronting several original bands in the New York tri-state and New England areas, most notably “Rags,” “Life As We Know It,” and “Steeplechase.” Eli toured the New York tri-state area for five years with Steeplechase, a band that shared the stage with acts such as Twisted Sister, Rick Derringer, David Johansson, Zebra, Orleans, and The Good Rats.

During this early period, Eli studied under the esteemed vocal coach Katie Agresta. Her innovative approach to vocal training significantly influenced Eli's singing technique. Later, a mutual acquaintance introduced him to Peter Baumann, a former member of the techno group Tangerine Dream. Seeking a vocalist for collaboration, they co-wrote and recorded the album “Strangers In the Night,” which was released on Portrait/CBS and Arista worldwide in 1983. The title track, an electro-pop rendition of Frank Sinatra's classic "Strangers In The Night," was released as a single and received heavy rotation on MTV.

Eli also became a co-owner of the Scrap Bar, a notable venue in Greenwich Village on MacDougal Street, NYC. The bar quickly transformed from a local hangout into a celebrity hotspot, attracting patrons like Guns N’ Roses, Joey Ramone, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie.

After his venture into electronica, Eli returned to his rock roots and recorded the CD “One” in collaboration with Japanese guitarist Heday Uchiyama, blending rock, pop, and blues. A significant moment in his career occurred when Frank Charles from “Rags” contacted him after a two-year search, leading to a reunion that sparked renewed creativity and the reformation of “Rags” as “Identical Strangers.” The song “Everyone has Gone” has since gained traction on several radio stations in England, Germany, and Australia, in addition to college radio in the U.S.

Now based on the West Coast, Eli continues to write and perform throughout Southern California. He is currently the lead singer for “Howard Blank's The Outsiders.” The original Outsiders achieved four Billboard Top 100 hits, including “Time Won’t Let Me,” which reached number 5 for 15 weeks.

In pursuit of personal development, Eli has studied Cognitive Hypnotherapy at the Motivational Institute of Hypnosis in San Diego, aiming to assist individuals in overcoming subconscious barriers during challenging times.

Identical Strangers released a five-track EP on March 16, 2009, which has not yet been cataloged on Discogs. The band consists of:

- Eli Holland – Lead vocals and guitar - Mike Slahetka – Lead guitar - Frank Charles – Guitar and vocals - Rob Bierwith – Bass and vocals - Steve Wyatt – Piano - Keith Leverault – Drums

Featured musician: - Darby Wolf – Hammond organ

The EP was produced by Identical Strangers, recorded at Northern Track Studios in Wilmington, VT, with Gary Henry as chief engineer and Colby Dix as assistant engineer. It was mastered by Mark Miller at Slaughterhouse Studio, with cover art created by Nancy Kirk.