The Ohio Players were an American soul-funk band that emerged from Dayton, Ohio, in 1959 under the name The Ohio Untouchables. During their early years, they released six singles between 1962 and 1964 on the Lu Pine and Thelma labels. This formative period established their foundation in rhythm and blues with a lean, guitar-led style […]
Heatwave was a multi-national soul-funk band formed by American servicemen stationed in Germany during the mid-1970s. Based in London, they made the 1976/77 GTO albums Too Hot to Handle and Central Heating. Their best-known songs include the synth-funk classics “Boogie Nights” and “The Groove Line” and the ballads “Always and Forever” and “Mind Blowing Decisions.” […]
Zapp was an American electro-funk band from Hamilton, Ohio, that released four albums between 1980 and 1985 on Warner Bros., followed by a 1989 fifth on Reprise. Members: Roger (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, harmonica, vibraphone, percussion), Zapp Troutman (keyboards, bass, vocals), Tony Troutman (bass), Lester Troutman (drums), Larry Troutman (percussion) Background Zapp evolved from Roger […]
Faze-O was an American soul-funk band that released three albums between 1977 and 1979 and scored an R&B hit with “Riding High.” Members: Keith “Chop Chop” Harrison (keyboards), Ralph “Love” Aikens (guitar), Tyrone “Flye” Crum (bass), Roger “Dodger” Parker (drums), Robert “Bip” Neal, Jr. (percussion) Background Faze-O evolved in Dayton, Ohio, from the earlier funk […]
Sun was an American soul-funk band from Dayton, Ohio, best known for the songs “Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My BIC),” “Time Is Passing,” and “We’re So Hot.” They released seven name-spun albums (1976–1982) on Capitol and a 1984 final on Air City. Members: John Wagner (trumpet), Chris Jones (vocals, keyboards, trumpet), Byron M. Byrd […]
Slave was an American soul-funk band from Dayton, Ohio, that released nine albums (1977–1984) on Cotillion, followed by six further albums on Ichiban Records. They scored a crossover hit with their debut single, “Slide,” and notched further Top 20 placements on the Billboard Hot R&B chart with the 1978–81 singles “Stellar Fungk,” “Just a Touch […]
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 […]
Lea Roberts is an American soul singer who cut five singles between 1969 and 1972, followed by the 1973–75 UA albums Excuse Me, I Want to Talk to You and Lady Lea. In 1982, she reappeared on Skies Unlimited with My Silent Place. Profile Lea Roberts was born Leatha Roberta Hicks on April 15, 1946, […]
Dayton was an American soul-funk band from Dayton, Ohio, that debuted with a self-titled album on United Artists in 1980, followed by a pair of albums on Liberty and another two on Capitol between 1981 and 1985. Members: David Shawn Sandridge (vocals, guitar), Chris Jones (vocals, keyboards, trumpet), Dean Hummons (keyboards), Derrick Armstrong (vocals), Jenny […]
Shadow was an American soul-funk trio from Ohio that made the 1979–81 Elektra albums Love Lite, Shadow, and Shadows in the Streets. The members hailed from the Mercury-era lineup of the Ohio Players. Members: Billy Beck (grand piano, fender rhodes), James Williams (drums), Clarence Willis (lead guitar, bass) Background Shadow formed in Ohio in 1979 […]
Walter “Junie” Morrison (1954 — Feb. 11, 2017) was an American soul-funk musician who served as music director for the Ohio Players on their three Westbound studio albums. He went solo with the 1975 Westbound release When We Do, followed by Freeze and the 1976 album Suzie Super Groupie, billed to his Junie mononym. Background Walter […]
Aurra was an American soul-funk band from Dayton, Ohio, that released a self-titled album on Dream Records in 1980, followed by three titles on Salsoul and a fifth on 10 Records between 1981 and 1985. The band was spawned from the original lineup of Slave and gradually slimmed down to the duo of Starleana Young […]
