Shalamar – 70’s & 80’s Disco Sensation

Shalamar is a music group in America and was popular in the period from 1970 to 1980. The band gave many hit albums and singles which topped many music charts in the U.S.  Shalamar’s first hit, “Uptown Festival” was in the year 1977. Griffey, the key person of the group replaced his vocalists for Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley and Howard Hewett in 1978. Following the hit sound “The Second Time Around”, the group hit the US R&B charts at No1 and US Pop charts with No 8 and which also became the U.S. million best seller.

The band continued to give hits in UK also which included “Take That To The Bank” in 1978, “I Owe You One” in 1980 “I Can Make You Feel Good” in 1982, “Friends” in 1982, “There It Is” in 1982 and “A Night to Remember” in 1982. Their albums became UK big sellers in genres of soul, disco and pop. After Daniel started including his dance in the albums and demonstrated his dancing Top of the Pops the BBC’s Television music programme, the band sales crossed an all time high in the UK.

The band fell apart in 1983 after the release of “The Look”, when Daniel and Watley left the band over some arguments. This album gave numerous hits including “Over And Over” and “Dead Giveaway” which moved the group to new heights of popularity. Compared to earlier album “Friends”, this one had less to offer in terms of success. Shalamar again returned in 1984 to the U.S. Top 20 with their hit “Dancing In The Streets”. Their soundtrack “Footloose” was also peaked in at No 17 on the charts and “Don’t Get Stopped In Beverly Hills” from Beverly Hills Cop in 1985, won the band a Grammy award.

Following the previous album, the band fell badly in terms of popularity as Hewitt left the band and started his solo career in 1986. He was replaced by Sydney Justin in Shalamar.

Among the three members of the group, Watley made the most out of her solo singing as she teamed up with Prince, Andre Cymone and released “Looking For A New Love” in 1987 “Friends” in 1989 and “When A Man Loves A Woman” in 1994. When Watley rejoined Daniel and Hewitt they released the single “For The Lover In You”.

Shalamar as a band was reformed in 2005 when the band gave “Hit Me Baby” on the UK TV Show as the original band member performed with Carolyn Griffey (the new singer). The band has almost 3 Gold albums in their stride which are “Friends”, Three For Love” and “Big Fun”.

The band gave numerous albums which include “Uptown Festival” in 1977, “Disco Gardens” in 1978, “Big Fun” in 1979, “Go For It” in 1981, “Three For Love” in 1981, “Friends” in 1982, “Greatest Hits” in 1982, “The Look” in 1983, “Heartbreak” in 1984, “Circumstantial Evidence” in 1987 and “Wake Up” in 1990.

The group has a wide set of albums and singles which have made them true pop stars in the music industry.

TJ Grooves

Rare Soul Grooves & Soul Music TV