The Emotions | |
---|---|
Also known as | The Hutchinson Sunbeams |
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active |
|
Labels | |
Members |
|
Past members |
|
The Emotions are an American soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago. The group started out in gospel music but transitioned into R&B and disco music. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time. [1] [2] [3]
The group was originally a gospel outfit known as the Hutchinson Sunbeams who toured the gospel circuit with their father Joe Hutchinson. The Sunbeams sang on Jerry Van Dyke’s “Children’s Gospel” television show and also occasionally performed in the concert with Mahalia Jackson. They eventually became an R&B/Soul act with a popular following in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Soon being renamed as The Emotions, they signed with the Memphis-based Volt imprint of Stax Records in the late 1960s. [4] [5] [6] [7] Under the production of Isaac Hayes and David Porter the group issued their 1969 debut album entitled So I Can Love You on Stax. [8]
"So I Can Love You" rose to no. 43 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. [9] The album's title track got to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [10] [11] Another single entitled "The Best Part Of A Love Affair" rose to no. 27 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. [11]
During 1970, The Emotions released a single entitled "Heart Association." That song reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [11] The girl group went on to release their sophomore LP entitled Untouched in 1972 upon Stax. [12] A song from the album called "Show Me How" rose to No. 13 upon the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [11]
During 1972, the girl group also released another single called "My Honey and Me." That song reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [11]
The Emotions then started to work on their third studio album entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience. This LP was due to be issued in 1973, but was eventually shelved. The girl group went on to appear in the 1973 feature film Wattstax , performing the song "Peace Be Still." The tune went on to be added to the movie's soundtrack. Wattstax was also nominated for a Golden Globe in the category of Best Documentary. With Stax becoming defunct in 1975, the group then left the record label altogether. [13] [14] [15] [16]
The group then joined up with Columbia Records where an association with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire brought them their greatest level of success. [1] With White and Charles Stepney on production, The Emotions issued in 1976 their third studio album Flowers on Columbia Records. [17] Flowers rose to No. 5 upon the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 45 on the Billboard 200. The album was also certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. [9] [18] [19] The LP's title track got to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. Another single called "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and No. 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. [20] [11]
Following Charles Stepney's death in 1976, White took over producing the Emotions. [4] During June 1977 the group issued their follow up album entitled Rejoice . [21] The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rejoice has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. [22] [9] [18]
With the LP came the single “Don't Ask My Neighbors" which got to the top ten on the Billboard R&B singles charts. Another song called "Best of My Love" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, as well as an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. [10] [11] [2] [23] "Best of My Love" has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. [24]
A compilation album entitled Sunshine was, in November 1977, released by Stax. Sunshine got to No. 39 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. [25] [9] Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone found the album "is harder edged, more classically soulful than (Rejoice)." John Shearlaw of Record Mirror exclaimed "Old Emotions, new Emotions-they're just as good." [26] [27] Covers of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carla Thomas' "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" appeared on the album. [28] Whilst the album cut "Shouting Out Love" peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [11]
During April 1978, the Emotions issued Sunbeam, their third studio album on Columbia. The album rose to No. 12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. [18] [9] John Storm Roberts of High Fidelity stated ""Sunbeam" sparkles with good tracks." [29] Glenn Clark of The Morning Call wrote "The best thing I can say about this LP is that I like it. The Emotions' brand of snappy and upbeat soul is good for my soul. Maurice White, guru of Earth, Wind & Fire, produced this album, and I think he has blended well the talent he has brought together." [30] At this time, Wanda began dating Brothers Johnson keyboardist Wayne Vaughn, and the two composed "Come into My World" together. They were married in 1980 or '81, and continued to write songs as a team. [31]
Sunbeam has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. [32] An album cut called Smile reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [11]
During 1979, Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with The Emotions on the single "Boogie Wonderland". The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 on the UK Pop Singles and No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs charts. [33] [10] [11] "Boogie Wonderland" has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA and Platinum in the UK by the BPI. [34] [35] "Boogie Wonderland" was also Grammy nominated in the categories of Best R&B Instrumental Performance and Best Disco Recording. [36] [2]
Within October of that year the Emotions issued their follow up studio album again produced by White entitled Come into Our World upon Columbia, which rose to no. 35 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Jon Wall of Melody Maker wrote "throughout Come into Our World The Emotions' superb vocal control, range and harmonic sense are displayed to maximum effect". Wall also added "Come into Our World is one of the most appealing albums I've heard since Off the Wall . I can't get the album off the turntable and I don't want to". Bill Rhedon of The Baltimore Sun noted that the album has "excellent material" with "simply steady, unvarying Coming at You, Soul." A song called "What's the Name of Your Love?" also got to no. 30 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. [37] [38] [39] [11] [9] As well Maurice White went on to be Grammy nominated in the category of Producer of the Year Non-Classical. [40]
Wanda and Jeanette went on to appear on Jennifer Holliday's Grammy nominated 1983 LP Feel My Soul . Pamela and Wanda also featured on Earth, Wind & Fire's 1983 album Electric Universe . [41] [42] [43]
The Emotions' eighth studio album entitled Sincerely was issued in 1984 on Red Label Records. [44] The album rose to No. 3 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart and No. 33 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. [45] [9] Dave Hillson of Blues & Soul said The Emotions "caught the mood of eighties Soul perfectly". [46] Hugh Wyatt of the New York Daily News declared "this album is top shelf". [47] As a single, "You're the One" reached No. 19 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart, No. 34 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and No. 11 on the UK Physical Singles chart. [48] [49] [11] Another single called "You're the Best" rose to No. 33 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. [20] During 1985 the group also issued their subsequent studio LP entitled If I Only Knew on Motown Records. The album got to No. 11 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart. [50] [51]
The Emotions went on to feature on Tyler Collins 1989 album Girls Nite Out . A song off the LP that the girl group sang on called "Watcha Gonna Do?" rose to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [52] [53]
Jeanette and Wanda then appeared upon EWF's 1990 album Heritage . The Emotions also guested upon Nancy Wilson's 1990 album A Lady with a Song and jazz group Urban Knights's 1995 LP Urban Knights I . They then featured on LL Cool J's 1995 LP Mr. Smith which has been certified Double Platinum in the US by the RIAA. [1] [54] The Emotions also appeared on George Duke's 1995 album Illusions and the Gospel Gangstaz's 1996 album Do or Die. During 1998 they featured on an episode of Motown Live with fellow girl group Divine and made a guest appearance on Smokey Robinson's 1999 Grammy nominated album Intimate . [1] [55] [56] [57]
During 2000, Pamela eventually rejoined the group. [1] A year later they were bestowed with the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. [58] The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 album The Promise , which was produced by Maurice White. A song from the album featuring The Emotions called "All in the Way" rose to No. 13 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart. [59] [60] [61] As well the group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti LaBelle where they performed "Best Of My Love". [62] Within September of that year, Songs of Innocence and Experience were finally released by Stax. [13]
The Emotions went on to collaborate with rapper Snoop Dogg on a track called "Life" upon his 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment . [63] The album has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. [64] The Emotions also appeared as a guest artist upon Terrace Martin's 2016 Grammy nominated album Velvet Portraits . [65] [66]
On September 18, 2020, Pamela Hutchinson died at the age of 61. [67]
The Emotions have been sampled by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane, Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Salt-N-Pepa, De La Soul, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest and The Notorious B.I.G.. [68] [69]
Artists such as Toni Braxton, 112, Mariah Carey, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Mary J. Blige, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Tamia and Janet Jackson have also sampled the girl group. [68] [70] [71]
Their songs have also been covered by artists such as Phoebe Snow, Minnie Riperton, Marcia Hines, Patti La Belle, Maysa, The Temptations, Will Downing and Nancy Wilson, backed by The Emotions, and Bobby Caldwell [68]
The Emotions have also influenced artists such as En Vogue, [72] Destiny's Child, [73] Anita Baker, [74] [75] Shanice, [76] Regina Belle, [77] Lalah Hathaway, [78] Jade, [79] Erykah Badu, [80] Kirk Whalum, [81] Sheena Easton, [82] Teena Marie [83] and Fantasia. [84]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | "Best of My Love" | Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus | Won |
1980 | "Boogie Wonderland" | Best Disco Recording | Nominated |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Rhythm & Blues Foundation | Pioneer Award | Won |
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American music band formed in 1969. Their music spans the multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
June Deniece Williams is an American singer. She has been described as "one of the great soul voices" by the BBC.
Maurice White was an American musician, best known as the founder, leader, main songwriter and chief producer of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, also serving as the band's co-lead singer with Philip Bailey.
That's the Way of the World is the sixth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on March 3, 1975, by Columbia Records. This was also the soundtrack for a 1975 motion picture of the same name. The album rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. That's the Way of the World has also been certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA.
Philip James Bailey is an American singer, songwriter and percussionist, best known as an early member and one of the two lead singers of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. Noted for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register, Bailey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Bailey was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with the band.
Gratitude is a double live album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, issued in November 1975 by Columbia Records. The album spent six weeks atop the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and three weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Gratitude has also been certified Triple Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1979 as the second single from their ninth studio album I Am on ARC/Columbia Records. The song reached No. 2 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. "After the Love Has Gone" was certified gold in the US by the RIAA and silver in the UK by the BPI.
Spirit is the seventh studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on September 28, 1976, by Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 2 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. Spirit has also been certified Double Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
Barbara Weathers is an American R&B/soul singer, and former lead singer of R&B vocal group, Atlantic Starr.
I Am is the ninth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in June 1979 by ARC/Columbia Records. The LP rose to number one on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and number three on the Billboard 200 chart. I Am has been certified Double Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA, Platinum in the UK by the BPI, and Platinum in Canada by Music Canada.
Rejoice is an album by American vocal group the Emotions, issued in June 1977 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rejoice has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
Head to the Sky is the fourth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in May 1973 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. Head to the Sky has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
Powerlight is the twelfth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in February 1983 by Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. Powerlight was also certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 is the first greatest hits album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire issued on November 23, 1978 by ARC/Columbia Records. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 6 on the Top LPs chart. The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 has been certified Quintuple Platinum in the US by the RIAA. As well Platinum in both the UK and Canada, by the BPI and Music Canada, respectively.
Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire is a tribute album to the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire produced by Maurice White and released in March of 2007 on Stax Records. The album reached No. 28 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Sunbeam is the fifth studio album by the girl group the Emotions issued in April 1978 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. Sunbeam has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Flowers is a studio album by the American girl group The Emotions, released in 1976 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart. Flowers has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
"Wanna Be with You" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire issued as a single in December 1981 by ARC/Columbia Records. The single rose to No. 15 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, No. 7 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles chart and No. 40 on the RPM Canadian Pop Singles Chart.
This discography documents albums and singles released by American R&B/soul group The Emotions.
Sincerely is the eight studio album of American girl group the Emotions, released in 1984 by Red Label Records. The album reached No. 3 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart and No. 33 on the US Billboard R&B albums chart.