Lakeside -

Lakeside was an American soul-funk band from Dayton, Ohio, that released a self-titled debut on ABC in 1977 and then cut a sustained Solar run from Shot of Love through Party Patrol between 1978 and 1990. Their breakthrough came with Fantastic Voyage in 1980, which reached No. 2 on the R&B album chart, earned Gold certification, and spawned the group’s signature hit “Fantastic Voyage,” a No. 1 R&B single.

The band kept its chart run moving with R&B hits such as “It’s All the Way Live,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Raid,” and “Outrageous,” while albums including Your Wish Is My Command, Untouchables, and Outrageous all reached the R&B Top 11. By the late 1980s, Lakeside had established one of the deeper Dayton-to-Solar catalogs of the period, with Power adding later chart entries such as “Relationship” and “Bullseye.”

Members: Stephen Shockley (lead guitar), Mark Adam Wood Jnr. (lead vocals, piano, keyboards, 1969-2011), Norman Beavers (keyboards, 1969-87), Tiemeyer McCain (vocals, 1969-86), Dale E Wilson Sr (1969-77), Vincent Beavers (1969-75), Terry Williams (1969-75), Ricky Abernathy (1969-75), Brian Marbury (1969-70), Tony White (1969-70), Thomas Shelby (vocals, 1970-83, 2007-present), Shirley Wood (1970-71), Marvin Craig (bass, 1973-present), Fred Lewis (percussion, 1974-present), Otis Stokes (guitar, bass, vocals, 1975-86), Floyd Bailey (1975-77), Fred Alexander Jr (drums, 1977-present), Donald Tavie (1985-present), Barrington Henderson (1986-95)

Background

Lakeside formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 1969 when guitarist Stephen Shockley left The Monterreys and started the Young Underground. Vocalist Mark Wood joined from another Dayton group, The Nomads, and in 1971 the two bands consolidated as Ohio Lakeside Express with the addition of Thomas Shelby and Shirley Wood.

The group connected that same year with Eddie Thomas, then associated with Curtom, and signed to his new Lakeside label. Shirley Wood soon stepped away from singing, and the band continued to reshape its lineup through the mid-1970s, adding singer Ricky Abernathy, then vocalist-guitarist Otis Stokes and percussionist Fred Lewis as the group built its stage reputation on the Ohio club circuit.

In 1974 Lakeside met songwriter-producer Frank Wilson and signed with Motown, but the material recorded there did not reach release while the label concentrated on other acts. Wilson moved to ABC Dunhill in 1976, brought the band with him through his Spec-O-Lite production company, and persuaded the group to shorten its name to Lakeside, which set up the release of its 1977 debut album.

Lakeside

Lakeside released their self-titled debut album in 1977 on ABC Records.

The album splits between outside writers and Wilson-led material, recorded with a larger studio cast that includes guest drummer Raymond Pounds, percussionist Jack Ashford, synthesizer programmer Michael Boddicker, and multiple bassists (James Jamerson, Nathan Watts), keyboardists (Bill King, Jerry Peters, John Barnes), and guitarists (Billy Cooper, Greg Poree, Steve Beckmeier).

A1. “Shine On (Lift Your Spirit Higher)” (4:03) – Beloyd Taylor, Peter Cor
A2. “Taboo” (6:24) – Ernestine Madison
A3. “Miss Look But Don’t Touch” (3:43) – John Fox
A4. “I’ll Be There Knocking” (4:28) – Frank Wilson

B1. “Diamond Girl (Tell Me Why You’re Crying)” (6:07) – Frank Wilson
B2. “If I Didn’t Have You” (7:42) – Frank Wilson, John Footman
B3. “It’s Not Only the Outside That Counts” (4:38) – Ernestine Madison, Frank Wilson
B4. “Epilogue” (3:02)

Frank Wilson and Terri McFaddin produced the record after Wilson brought the band to ABC through his Spec-O-Lite company, following the group’s stalled period at Motown. Wilson arranged most of the album and shared production credit with McFaddin on “I’ll Be There Knocking,” “Diamond Girl (Tell Me Why You’re Crying),” and “If I Didn’t Have You.”

Kevin Beamish recorded the album and shared the mixing credit with Wilson. Sanford Shire handled the string arrangement and orchestration on “I’ll Be There Knocking,” while Jerry Peters filled that role on “Diamond Girl (Tell Me Why You’re Crying)” and “If I Didn’t Have You.”

Tim Bryant designed the sleeve with photography by Ron Slenzak.

ABC lifted “If I Didn’t Have You” as a March 1977 single (b/w “It’s Not Only the Outside That Counts”). Lakeside peaked at No. 28 on the R&B Albums Chart.

Shot of Love

Lakeside released their second album, Shot of Love, in March 1978 on Solar.

The album shifts fully to band-written material. Mark Wood, Stephen Shockley, Marvin Craig, Otis Stokes, Thomas Shelby, Fred Lewis, Norman Beavers, and Fred Alexander Jr. share the writing across the seven tracks, with no outside composers in the sequence. The sessions place the group itself at the center: Craig handles bass and backing vocals, Alexander plays drums, percussion, and body percussion, Beavers covers keyboards and vibraphone, Stokes adds lead guitar, bass, and lead vocals, Shockley plays lead guitar and ARP synthesizer, Lewis adds percussion and ARP, Wood plays acoustic piano and sings lead, and Shelby and Tiemeyer McCain supply lead and backing vocals.

A1. “Shot of Love” (3:42) – Alexander, Wood, Craig, Stokes, Shockley, Shelby
A2. “Hold On Tight” (4:05) – Wood, Shockley
A3. “One Minute After Midnight” (4:47) – Wood, Craig, Shockley
A4. “Time” (5:04) – Craig, Beavers, Shockley

B1. “Given In to Love” (5:10) – Shockley
B2. “It’s All the Way Live” (7:14) – Lewis
B3. “Visions of My Mind” (5:12) – Wood

Dick Griffey, Lakeside, and Leon Sylvers arranged and produced the record, with Keith Warfield assisting the production. Don Blake recorded the album at Studio Masters, and Steve Hodge mixed it at Westlake Studios.

Gribbitt! and Tim Bryant handled the album design, and Drew Struzan supplied the illustration. The sleeve also carries a printed thanks to Leon Sylvers for helping bring the project to completion.

Solar issued “It’s All the Way Live” in November 1978 as a two-part single, and it reached No. 4 on the R&B chart. The album reached No. 74 on the Billboard 200 and No. 10 on the R&B albums chart.

Rough Riders

Lakeside released their third album, Rough Riders, in 1979 on Solar.

The album features drummer Fred Alexander Jr., bassist Marvin Craig, vocalists Thomas Shelby and Tiemeyer McCain, keyboardist Norman Beavers (clavinet, string ensemble, synthesizer), keyboardist-vocalist Mark Wood (Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano), guitarist-keyboardist Stephen Shockley (clavinet, synthesizer), percussionist Fred Lewis (bass synthesizer, congas, timbales), and multi-instrumentalist-vocalist Otis Stokes (acoustic piano, bass, clavinet, guitar, synthesizer).

A1. “Rough Rider” (4:45) – Shockley
A2. “All in My Mind” (4:42) – Stokes, Shockley, Tiemeyer McCain
A3. “If You Like Our Music (Get Up and Move)” (4:33) – Stokes, Shockley
A4. “I Can’t Get You Out of My Head” (5:36) – Beavers

B1. “Pull My Strings” (6:54) – Lewis
B2. “I’ll Never Leave You” (6:15) – Bryan Evans, Tiemeyer McCain
B3. “From 9:00 Until” (6:04) – Stokes

Lakeside co-produced the album with Dick Griffey and Leon Sylvers. Steve Hodge recorded the album at Studio Masters in Los Angeles and mixed it at Westlake Studios. Wally Traugott mastered the record at Capitol in Los Angeles.

Gribbitt! and Henry Vizcarra handled the album design under art director Tim Bryant, Drew Struzan supplied the illustration, and Ron Slenzak took the photography.

Solar issued “Pull My Strings” backed with “Visions of My Mind” in December 1979, followed by “From 9:00 Until” backed with “All in My Mind” in March 1980. “Pull My Strings” reached No. 31 on the R&B chart, and “From 9:00 Until” reached No. 44 R&B and No. 73 on the dance chart.

Rough Riders reached No. 141 on the Billboard 200 and No. 21 on the R&B albums chart.

Fantastic Voyage

Lakeside released their fourth album, Fantastic Voyage, in 1980 on Solar.

The album features drummer Fred Alexander Jr., bassist Marvin Craig, percussionist Fred Lewis (bass synthesizer, congas, timbales), vocalists Thomas Shelby and Tiemeyer McCain, keyboardist Norman Beavers (acoustic piano, clavinet, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, ARP Odyssey, ARP Quadra), keyboardist-vocalist Mark Wood (Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, percussion), guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Stephen Shockley (concert bells, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, synthesizers), and multi-instrumentalist-vocalist Otis Stokes (ARP Quadra, bass, clavinet, guitars, Wurlitzer). Gene Dozier arranged and conducted the strings on selected tracks, and William Henderson contracted the string section.

A1. “Fantastic Voyage” (6:10) – Lakeside
A2. “Your Love Is on the One” (6:20) – Fred Alexander Jr., Stephen Shockley
A3. “I Need You” (5:50) – Otis Stokes

B1. “Strung Out” (5:07) – Thomas Shelby
B2. “Say Yes” (5:16) – Fred Alexander Jr., Stephen Shockley
B3. “Eveready Man” (4:37) – Mark Wood, Marvin Craig
B4. “I Love Everything You Do” (4:30) – Norman Beavers, Tiemeyer McCain
B5. “Say Yes (Reprise)” (0:29)

Lakeside produced and arranged the album for Lakeside Productions. Steve Hodge recorded the sessions at Studio Masters and mixed the album with the group at Larrabee Sound Studios, with Barry Rudolph and Bob Brown assisting as additional engineers. Wally Traugott mastered the record at Capitol.

Gribbitt! and Henry Vizcarra handled the art direction, Jeff Wack supplied the illustration, and Ron Slenzak took the photography.

Solar issued “Fantastic Voyage” in January 1981 backed with “I Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” It reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Your Love Is on the One” followed in March 1981 backed with “I Love Everything You Do” and reached No. 14 R&B.

Fantastic Voyage reached No. 2 on the R&B Albums chart and No. 16 on the Billboard 200. The album later received a US Gold certification.

Keep On Moving Straight Ahead

Lakeside released their fifth album, Keep On Moving Straight Ahead, in March 1981 on Solar. The album drew from leftover tracks recorded during the group’s RCA-distributed Solar period before the label shifted distribution to Elektra/Asylum.

The album features drummer Fred Alexander Jr., bassist Marvin Craig, percussionist Fred Lewis (congas, synthesizer, timbales), keyboardist Norman Beavers (clavinet, piano), keyboardist-vocalist Mark Wood (percussion, piano), vocalist Thomas Shelby, vocalist Tiemeyer McCain, guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Otis Stokes (bass, clavinet, piano), and guitarist Stephen Shockley (synthesizer). J. J. Stelmach handled the art direction, and David Jarvis designed the cover.

A1. “Keep On Moving Straight Ahead” (4:39) – Shockley
A2. “It’s You” (5:02) – Stokes
A3. “Be My Lady” (6:13) – Shockley
A4. “It’s Got to Be Love” (3:51) – Wood

B1. “We Want You (On the Floor)” (6:30) – Lewis
B2. “Back Together Again” (4:34) – Stokes
B3. “Anything for You” (5:21) – Stokes
B4. “All for You” (3:49) – Beavers, Thomas Shelby, Tiemeyer McCain

Lakeside wrote, arranged, and produced the album for Lakeside Productions. Bob Brown c-engineered with Steve Hodge and Taavi Mote, while Wally Traugott mastered the record at Capitol Mastering.

Solar issued “We Want You (On the Floor)” backed with “All for You” in October 1981. The single reached No. 44 on the R&B chart.

Keep On Moving Straight Ahead reached No. 32 on the R&B chart and No. 109 on the Billboard 200.

Your Wish Is My Command

Lakeside released their sixth album, Your Wish Is My Command, in 1981 on Solar.

The album features drummer Fred Alexander Jr., bassist Marvin Craig, percussionist Fred Lewis, vocalists Thomas Shelby and Tiemeyer McCain, keyboardist Norman Beavers, keyboardist-vocalist Mark Wood, guitarist-keyboardist Otis Stokes (bass), and guitarist Stephen Shockley (lead guitar, rhythm guitar). David Crawford arranged and conducted the strings, and Janice Gower contracted the string section.

A1. “Your Wish Is My Command” (6:01) – Lakeside
A2. “Something About That Woman” (5:07) – Shockley
A3. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (4:57) – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
A4. “Special” (5:07) – Stokes

B1. “Magic Moments” (5:50) – Alexander, Lewis, Wood, Craig, Beavers, Stokes, Shockley
B2. “The Urban Man” (4:25) – Wood, Beavers
B3. “I’ll Be Standing By” (4:33) – Wood, Beavers
B4. “The Songwriter” (4:30) – Tiemeyer McCain

Lakeside produced and arranged the album. Taavi Mote recorded and mixed the sessions at Kendun Recorders, with Bob Winard, Les Cooper, and Steve Macmillen assisting as additional engineers. Wally Traugott handled the mastering at Capitol Studios. Dick Griffey served as executive producer, Dina Andrews directed the production, and Elektra/Asylum manufactured and distributed the release.

Gribbitt! and Henry Vizcarra handled the art direction. Warren Hile supplied the illustration, Jay Pope shot the dust-sleeve photography, and Ron Slenzak took the inner-spread photographs.

Solar issued “Something About That Woman” backed with “The Songwriter” on July 16, 1981, and it reached No. 25 on the R&B chart. “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” backed with “Magic Moments,” followed in December 1981 and reached No. 5 R&B.

Your Wish Is My Command reached No. 9 on the R&B chart and No. 58 on the Billboard 200.

Untouchables

Lakeside released their seventh album, Untouchables, in 1983 on Solar.

The album features drummer Fred Alexander Jr., bassist Marvin Craig, percussionist Fred Lewis, vocalists Thomas Shelby and Tiemeyer McCain, keyboardist Norman Beavers (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, ARP Quadra, OB-X), guitarist-keyboardist Stephen Shockley (acoustic guitar, lead guitar, talkbox, OB-X), guitarist-keyboardist Otis Stokes (bass, Prophet-5, ARP synthesizer), and keyboardist-vocalist Mark Wood (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes). Benjamin Wright arranged the strings.

A1. “Raid” (6:54) – Lakeside
A2. “Turn the Music Up” (7:26) – Lakeside
A3. “So Let’s Love” (4:58) – Lakeside

B1. “Real Love” (4:48) – Otis Stokes
B2. “Alibi” (4:41) – Lakeside
B3. “Untouchable” (5:58) – Lakeside
B4. “Tinsel Town Theory (Aka: The Hollywood Story)” (5:45) – Lakeside
B5. “So Let’s Love (Reprise)” (0:31) – Lakeside

Lakeside arranged, performed, and produced the album for Oceanfront Productions. The group handled the rhythm and vocal arrangements, while Benjamin Wright supplied the string arrangements. The sessions took place at Studio 54 in Pasadena and Baby’O Recorders.

Solar issued “Raid” backed with “The Urban Man” in March 1983, and it reached No. 8 on the R&B chart. “Turn the Music Up,” backed with “Alibi,” followed in June 1983 and reached No. 38 R&B. “Real Love,” backed with “Tinsel Town Theory (Aka: The Hollywood Story),” followed in September 1983 and reached No. 17 R&B.

Untouchables reached No. 10 on the R&B chart and No. 42 on the Billboard 200.

Outrageous

Lakeside released their eighth album, Outrageous, in April 1984 on Solar.

The album features drummer Fred Alexander Jr., bassist Marvin Craig, percussionist Fred Lewis (congas, timbales), percussionist Terry Santell, vocalist Tiemeyer McCain, keyboardist Norman Beavers (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, OB-X, Roland JPX, Prophet-5), guitarist-keyboardist Stephen Shockley (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, OB-8), guitarist-keyboardist Otis Stokes (bass, Prophet-5, Roland JPX, OB-XA), and keyboardist-vocalist Mark Wood. Johnny Rogers and Monte Seward add piano, and Aaron Zigman handles synthesizer and Emulator programming.

A1. “Outrageous” (6:11) – Shockley
A2. “Make My Day” (5:49) – Alexander, Shockley, Thomas Shelby
A3. “Baby I’m Lonely” (5:25) – Wood, Stokes, Shockley, Thomas Shelby
A4. “Worn & Torn” (5:08) – Shockley

B1. “Restrictions” (6:07) – Stokes
B2. “Show You the Way” (5:40) – Alexander, Shockley
B3. “Something About You” (4:41) – Wood
B4. “Make It Right” (5:17) – Tiemeyer McCain

Lakeside produced, wrote, arranged, and performed the album for Oceanfront Productions. Leanard Jackson recorded the sessions at Baby’O Recorders and Larrabee Sound Studios and mixed the album at Baby’O, with Barry Conley, Connie Hill, and Bert Battaglia assisting as additional engineers. Wally Traugott mastered the record at Capitol Mastering. Dick Griffey served as executive producer, Brenda Patrick handled A&R assistance, and Regina Griffey coordinated A&R. Elektra/Asylum manufactured and distributed the release.

Dennis Lewis handled the art direction and illustration and shared the cover concept with the group. Todd Gray supplied the photography.

Solar issued “Outrageous” backed with “So Let’s Love” in May 1984, and it reached No. 7 on the R&B chart and No. 42 on the dance chart. “Make My Day,” backed with “I’ll Be Standing By,” followed in August 1984 and reached No. 37 R&B. “Show You the Way,” backed with “Worn ’N Torn,” followed in November 1984.

Outrageous reached No. 11 on the R&B chart and No. 68 on the Billboard 200.

Power

Lakeside released their ninth album, Power, in 1987 on Solar.

The album features bassist Marvin Craig, percussionist Fred Lewis (bass synthesizer), backing vocalist Thomas Oliver Shelby, drummer-keyboardist-vocalist Fred Alexander Jr., keyboardist-rapper Norman Beavers, guitarist-keyboardist Stephen Shockley, and lead vocalists Mark Wood Jr. and Barrington Scott. Gerald Albright adds saxophone on “Just a Touch Away,” and the sessions also draw on Chuckie Booker, Cornelius Mimms, Craig Cooper, India Arrington, Lynn Malsby, Robin Q.T. Wartell, Rod Antoon, and Stanley Jones.

A1. “Relationship” (5:32) – Mark Brown
A2. “Power” (5:22) – Craig Cooper, Fred Alexander Jr., G. Johnson, India Arrington, Norman Beavers, Shockley
A3. “Bullseye” (3:15) – Kenny Nolan
A4. “Still Feeling Good” (4:56) – Babyface, Daryl Simmons

B1. “To Be Your Lover” (5:21) – Shockley
B2. “Sensations” (4:15) – Shockley
B3. “Just a Touch Away” (4:36) – Alexander, Shockley
B4. “Love I Can Bank On” (4:17) – A. Rich, L. Sylvers, T. Johnson

Stephen Shockley produced the album for Lakeside Productions, with Lakeside credited as co-producer throughout most of the record. Mark Brown co-produced “Relationship,” Craig Cooper co-produced “Power,” “Bullseye,” “To Be Your Lover,” and “Sensations,” and Dana Meyers and William Zimmerman produced “Love I Can Bank On.” John Payne, Leanard Jackson, and Scott Skidmore recorded and mixed the album at Galaxy Sound Studios and Studio Masters in Hollywood, and Wally Traugott mastered it at Capitol. Brenda Patrick handled A&R assistance and Regina Griffey coordinated A&R.

Dennis Lewis handled the art direction and illustration, Bobby Holland supplied the photography, and Lalette Littlejohn handled make-up.

Solar issued “Relationship” backed with “Homewrecker” in April 1987, and it reached No. 24 on the R&B chart. “Bullseye,” backed with “Sensations,” followed in July 1987 and reached No. 33 R&B. “Still Feeling Good,” backed with “Sensations,” followed in December 1987.

Power reached No. 35 on the R&B chart.

Discography: