The first album on the Varrick label was the re-release of “Ten Years Live.” This was followed by the re-release of the classic first album “Rock-N-Roll.” These came out in 1983. It was also around this time that Gregg Wetzel joined the band on keyboards. This provided a new element in The Nighthawks sound both on record and in concert over the next few years.

As they worked on their next album for Varrick, the band wanted to do a simple, straightforward blues/rock recording that represented what they were all about. Unfortunately, the producer and record company wanted a more pop, radio friendly sound. The differing perspectives made this one of the more challenging studio sessions for the band. The resulting album, “Hot Spot,” was released in 1983 and was more a reflection of what the record company wanted than what the band did. In an ironic twist, it was at about this same time that Stevie Ray Vaughn’s first album, Texas Flood, won critical praise and created renewed interest in the blues.