B. B. & Q. Band

Last updated

B. B. & Q. Band
Origin Bologna, Italy
New York City, United States
Genres Post-disco
Years active1979–1987
Labels Capitol, Elektra
Past members Chieli Minucci
Curtis Hairston
Kevin Nance
Kevin Robinson
Mauro Malavasi
Paolo Gianolio
Paris Ford
Terry Silverlight
Timmy Allen
Tony Bridges
Dwayne Perdue
Curtis Styles
Lori Rose

B. B. & Q. Band (which stands for the Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens Band), was an Italian-American post-disco band, which formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1987. [1] [2]

Contents

A twelve-inch record by the band 12 Inch Single BBQ Band.jpg
A twelve-inch record by the band

Overview

The background

The B. B. & Q. Band was a studio concept created in 1979 by the businessman Jacques Fred Petrus. After the success with Change in 1980, and also with Macho and the Peter Jacques band in the late 1970s, Petrus and his close co-worker Italian Mauro Malavasi decided to launch a new project, named after the three boroughs in New York City that the band members came from. Fred Petrus pulled several musicians together of which New York session bassist Paris Ford (credited as Peewee Ford) and his musicians became the band. [3]

The successful debut

The self-titled debut album on Capitol provided several melodies of which Malavasi wrote all except one. The biggest hit single was "On the Beat", which reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Black Singles chart. Also "Time for Love" (#72 on the same chart) mixed a melody with vocals by the lead singer, Ike Floyd.

After the debut Petrus invited guitarist Kevin Robinson, a former member of the band Kinky Fox that he had met already in 1980, to take over to lead the band. The new line-up included Chielli Minucci, Kevin Nance, and Tony Bridges and for the first time B. B. & Q. band had a more defined role as a band. [3]

Second and third albums

The second album release was 1982's All Night Long (#32 on Billboard 's Black Albums chart), which included "All Night Long (She's Got the Moves I Like)" (#32 on Billboard 's Hot Dance Club Play list), "Imagination" (#21 on Billboard 's Black Singles list) and "Children of the Night" (uncharted).

In 1983 Six Million Times hit the market with influences from The Time and Prince. Petrus faced serious economical problems in 1983, and Six Million Times was produced with a tiny budget during five weeks in Bologna. The album did not become a commercial success and Capitol dropped the band. [1]

Finale

By 1985 Petrus had fixed a contract with Elektra Records, and B. B. & Q. Band was back on track with their last album Genie, including minor hits like the title track "Genie" and "Dreamer". Kae Williams, a former Breakwater member hired by Petrus, wrote all tracks and co-produced the LP in conjunction with Petrus. The album also showed early examples of Curtis Hairston's voice when Petrus invited him to be the new lead singer. The album sold rather well, especially in Europe, but in 1987 the B. B. & Q. Band ended when Petrus was murdered. [1]

"Genie" was released on different labels. In the U.S. "Dreamer" was released as a B-side (with "On the Shelf" as A-side") on the label in Your Face, which was a sublabel of Pretty Pearl Records. Meanwhile, the album "Genie" and accompanying singles "Dreamer" and "Genie" were all released on Pretty Pearl Records/Elektra Records. Both Pretty Pearl Records and Elektra Records logos were used on the record labels. The catalogue numbers were the series used by Elektra Records. This was only the case in the U.S., while in Europe, the album and singles were released by Cooltempo (U.K.), Break (Netherlands) and ZYX (Germany). Furthermore, different pictures were used for the record covers of the album depending on the country of release.

Not only were labels and pictures different. The Shep Pettibone remix of "Dreamer" was included on the U.S. LP, while the European editions of the album included an "album version" of the track. The Shep Pettibone remix was the same as the 12" release on Elektra/Pretty Pearl, while the European album version was the same as the B-side of the 12" "On the shelf" released on in Your Face Records. [3]

The Legacy

Original lead singer Kevin Robinson recorded a new album, The Legacy, credited to Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens, which included one collaboration with Davide Romani on the track Gotta Keep Movin' On (originally released as a solo recording January 2021). Romani is one of the key musicians on their classic 1980s productions. [4]

Discography

The B. B. & Q. Band discography
Studio albums5
Compilation albums3
Singles13

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
US R&B
[5]
US Dance
[5]
UK
[6]
NL
[7]
BE
[7]
1981"On the Beat"83411610B.B. & Q. Band
"Starlette" (Europe)/"I'll Cut You Loose" (UK)76
"Time for Love" (US only)72
1982"Imagination"2169All Night Long
"All Night Long (She's Got the Moves I Like)"32
1983"Keep It Hot"Six Million Times
"She's a Woman"
1985"Genie"4032Genie
"Minutes Away"
"On the Shelf"72
1986"Main Attraction"
"Dreamer"35
1987"Ricochet"71
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hole in My Heart (All the Way to China)</span> 1988 single by Cyndi Lauper

"Hole in My Heart (All the Way to China)" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper for her 1988 film Vibes. It was written by Richard Orange, formerly of the band Zuider Zee. The track saw the light of day on an official CD, as of 2003, with the release of the 3-CD compilation, The Great Cyndi Lauper. It can be found on the following albums: Best Movie Album in the World...Ever! (3 CDs), True Colors: The Best of Cyndi Lauper (2 CDs), 36 All-time Favorites (3 CDs), Monster Hits 1988/Hits of 1988 and Cyndi Lauper Japanese Singles Collection Greatest Hits (audio track on CD and music video on DVD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bizarre Love Triangle</span> 1986 song by New Order

"Bizarre Love Triangle" is a song by English rock band New Order, released as a single in November 1986 from their fourth studio album, Brotherhood (1986), which reached the top five on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart, and No. 5 on the Australian ARIA Charts in March 1987.

Change is an Italian-American post-disco group formed in Bologna, Italy, in 1979 by businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus (1948–1987) and Mauro Malavasi. They were heavily influenced by the disco band Chic. The current incarnation of the group formed in 2018.

Nu Shooz is an American R&B group fronted by husband-and-wife team of John Smith and Valerie Day, based in Portland, Oregon. Nu Shooz released four albums in the U.S. during the 1980s. Poolside, their third album, brought the group's sound to a wider audience.

D Train was an American duo that had hits on the Billboard magazine Dance and R&B charts during the first half of the 1980s. Three of their singles also reached the top 30 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Behind the Wheel</span> 1987 single by Depeche Mode

"Behind the Wheel" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode from their sixth studio album, Music for the Masses (1987). It was released on 28 December 1987 as the album's third single, reaching number 21 in the United Kingdom, number six in both Switzerland and West Germany, also entering the US Billboard Hot 100 as its predecessors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want Your Love</span> 1988 single by Duran Duran

"I Don't Want Your Love" is the seventeenth single from Duran Duran and the first single from the Big Thing album. It was released in September 1988. As with the album, the band's name was rendered on the artwork as Duranduran.

<i>Between Friends</i> (Tamia album) 2006 studio album by Tamia

Between Friends is the fourth studio album by Canadian R&B singer Tamia. Her first project under her own independent label, Plus One Music Group, founded after her departure from Elektra Records in 2004, it was first released in South Africa on May 12, 2006, followed by a worldwide release in the fourth quarter of 2006. A departure from her third studio album More (2004). which included a diverse roster of collaborators, Tamia reteamed with frequent contributor Shep Crawford to work on most of the album, with its title referring to their working relationship and connection during the recording process.

<i>A Nu Day</i> 2000 studio album by Tamia

A Nu Day is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was released by Elektra Records on October 10, 2000, following her transition from Qwest Records. A less ballad-driven collection of songs and more progressive approach than her debut effort, Tamia worked with a smaller number of songwriters and producers on the album, including Dallas Austin, Shep Crawford, Missy Elliott, Bink!, Errol "Poppi" McCalla, and Jazz Nixon, some of whom would become frequent collaborators on subsequent albums. As with Tamia, a cover version, DeBarge's 1983 single "Love Me in a Special Way", was also recorded for the album.

Jacques Fred Petrus was a West Indian-born businessman and a pioneer of post-disco music. He spent much of his career in Italy and the United States.

Peter Jacques Band was an Italian disco band, created by French-Italian-American businessman Jacques Fred Petrus (1949–1987) and songwriter and producer Mauro Malavasi (1958–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say a Prayer</span> 1995 single by Taylor Dayne

"Say a Prayer" is a song by American vocalist Taylor Dayne from her third studio album, Soul Dancing (1993). It was written by Dayne, Shep Pettibone and Tony Shimkin and was produced by Pettibone. The song was released on November 6, 1995 in remix form for her compilation album, Greatest Hits, and was released that same year by Arista Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That</span> 1988 single by Elton John

"I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" is a song by English musician Elton John from his 21st studio album Reg Strikes Back (1988), released as the lead single of the album. The track was written by John and his long-time songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin.

<i>Into the Skyline</i> 1992 studio album by Cathy Dennis

Into the Skyline is the second studio album by English dance artist Cathy Dennis, released in September 1992 in North America, and January 1993 in the UK. Written with an aim toward the US market, the album features the singles "You Lied to Me", "Irresistible", "Moments of Love", "Falling", and "Why" – the latter was credited to D Mob with Cathy Dennis. The album peaked at number 8 in the UK Albums Chart, whilst on the US Billboard Hot 100, "You Lied to Me" was a Top 40 hit, and "Irresistible" made the Adult Contemporary top ten; however, the album descended the chart rapidly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stranger in My House (Tamia song)</span> 2001 single by Tamia

"Stranger in My House" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Tamia. It was written by Shae Jones and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford and produced by the latter. Initially helmed for fellow R&B singer Toni Braxton, it was left unused and later recorded by Tamia for her second studio album, A Nu Day (2000). Inspired by the surprise ending of the supernatural thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999), the strings-led, dramatic contemporary R&B ballad is about a woman who is confused with her partner's recent change in behavior and goes into denial about it.

Curtis Kinnard Hairston was an American soul/funk vocalist, who had a number of top 75 hit singles in the UK and US, both as a solo artist and as a featured artist in the B. B. & Q. Band. Hairston's signature hit came in 1985, when he reached No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart with "I Want Your Lovin' ".

Bang was a Greek male vocal duo, consisting of Paul Stevens and Billy Adams (keyboards). They had chart success with the single "You're the One", released on the RCA label. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 6 May 1989, reaching #74. It was in the chart for two weeks. The B-side of the 7" version was "Don't Burn Down the Bridge", with the 12" having an additional instrumental version.

<i>The B. B. & Q. Band</i> 1981 studio album by B. B. & Q. Band

The Brooklyn Bronx & Queens Band is the debut album by the funk/R&B band B. B. & Q. Band, produced by band creator Jacques Fred Petrus. Its lead single, "On The Beat", was their best known hit song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Make a Fool of Yourself</span> 1988 single by Stacey Q

"Don't Make a Fool of Yourself" is a song by American recording artist Stacey Q. It was taken from her second studio album, Hard Machine (1988). The song was written by Stacey Swain, Jon St. James and Skip Hahn and was produced by Jon St. James. The song was mixed by musician Shep Pettibone, who collaborated with artists like Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, Janet Jackson and others. It was released as the album's first single on March 25, 1988 by Atlantic Records. The song peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Billboard Dance charts.

Jammers were an American boogie music group led by Richie Weeks and consisting of the members of Instant Funk, Weeks & Co and various Salsoul Records acts. Their hit song Be Mine Tonight, composed by singer-songwriter Margaret Blount and producer Richie Weeks, was released in 1982 on Salsoul Records. Their other song entering charts was And You Know That, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Dance chart, as of January 8, 1983. Together with "Be Mine Tonight", it entered the same chart as a double single, reaching No. 37. In March 1983, it was already number 79. The songs also hit the R&B chart. In the United Kingdom, "Be Mine Tonight" peaked at No. 65 on the UK Singles Chart. Last appearance position was number 70.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hamilton, Andrew. "B. B. & Q. Band Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 35. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  3. 1 2 3 "B. B. & Q. Band Biography". jacquespetrus.com. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  4. "BBandQ the Legacy (Digital Download), by Kevin Robinson from Brooklyn, Bronx, & Queens".
  5. 1 2 "B.B. & Q. (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens) Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  6. "BB&Q - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "B.B. & Q. (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens) Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved August 4, 2017.