Klymaxx

Last updated

Klymaxx
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres Pop, R&B, dance-pop
Years active1979–1994, 2003–present
Labels SOLAR, MCA
MembersBernadette Cooper
Robbin Grider
Joyce Irby
Lynn Malsby
Lorena Shelby
Cheryl Cooley
Past members Penny Ford
M. Ann Williams
Judy Takeuchi

Klymaxx is an American all-female pop/R&B band from Los Angeles, California. The band's classic lineup consisted of Bernadette Cooper, Lorena Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley, Robbin Grider, Lynn Malsby, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby. Klymaxx is best known for their 1985 international hit "I Miss You".

Contents

History

Klymaxx was created and formed in 1979 by Bernadette Cooper (producer/drummer/vocals); she also created the name klymaxx. The other original members included Lorena "Lungs" Porter Shelby (lead vocals), Cheryl Cooley (guitar), Robbin Grider (keyboards/guitar), and Lynn Malsby (keyboards). Joyce "Fenderella" Irby (bass/vocals/producer) joined the band later, before the recording of their debut album. [1] Bernadette developed their core sound and continued becoming the band's figurehead. Their debut album Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman was released in 1981, and their second album was Girls Will Be Girls .

However, their first album to achieve national recognition was 1984 released Meeting in the Ladies Room , featuring the top 5 US Billboard R&B chart success "The Men All Pause", written by Bernadette Cooper and Irby, and the title track. The band's self-produced "I Miss You", penned by Lynn Malsby, became the band's pop breakthrough, [1] peaking at #5 on the Hot 100. [2] Lorena Lungs' vocals gave Klymaxx a clear distinctive sound, while Bernadette Cooper added the spoken word vibe and a musical direction that became their distinctive sound. Critics mentioned that Irby's voice was similar to Michael Jackson's, according to music historian Scot Brown. [3]

The classic lineup disbanded in 1989, [4] though several members regrouped sporadically as Klymaxx over the next five years to release further albums. [5] Following the breakup there was a legal confrontation involving Cooley’s unauthorized use of the band's name and trademark, [4] [6] leading to the trademark decision Cheryl Cooley v. Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby. [7] The ladies agreed to and also, per the Truth In Music Advertising Act, members are allowed to tour, as Klymaxx but must differentiate which version by adding their names.

Five of the six members from the classic Klymaxx lineup (with Robbin Grider being the one exception) met up together in a 2004 episode of VH1's Bands Reunited , for which they had been invited to perform. [8] Cooley appeared, but due to the unresolved friction/tension with other band members, she was not allowed to perform during the group's concert. Around this time, there was also an SNL episode featuring Halle Berry portraying Cooper. Klymaxx officially reformed shortly afterward, now billed as Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper. Currently, individual members tour under Klymaxx featuring their namesake.

In 2009, all six members of the classic lineup participated in the group's episode of the TV One series Unsung .

On June 25, 2021, Klymaxx was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. All the members of Klymaxx accused the organization of honoring the touring lineup featuring Cheryl Cooley, whose contributions were minimal. Cooper, Malsby, and Joyce Irby noted that Cooley had edited the songwriting shares on ASCAP and Sony Music Publishing, by adding her name to the writing credits or taking sole credit in ASCAP's database. [9] On the same day, Billboard magazine released a follow-up article bringing light to the fraudulent attempt uncovered by ASCAP and Sony ATV publishing.

Discography

Studio albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis</span> American R&B songwriting production team

James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B/pop songwriting and record production team. They have enjoyed great success since the 1980s with various artists, most intensively with Janet Jackson. They have written 31 top ten hits in the UK and 41 in the US. In 2022, the duo were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category.

Cheryl Lynn is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her songs during the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, including the 1978 R&B/disco song "Got to Be Real".

Midnight Star is an American musical group that had a string of hit records in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elton John Band</span> Supporting band of the musician Elton John

The Elton John Band is the band that backs singer, composer and pianist Elton John on both studio and live recordings. The band has gone through several lineup changes, but Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, and Ray Cooper have been members since 1970, 1971 and 1973 respectively. The various lineups of the band have consisted of both English and American musicians. The band is often not recognised as a formal entity, and is instead referred to simply as the Elton John Band.

Joyce "Fenderella" Irby is an American singer, songwriter, bass guitarist and producer. She was the co-lead vocalist of the all-female band Klymaxx. Irby has also worked with artists such as Lloyd, Troop, Sammie, The SOS Band and Shalamar.

Henry Paul is an American southern rock and country singer/songwriter who was an original recording member of the Southern rock band Outlaws. He left to form the Henry Paul Band but then returned to the Outlaws. He also is a founding member of the country band Blackhawk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Miss You (Klymaxx song)</span> 1985 single by Klymaxx

"I Miss You" is a hit single recorded by American R&B and pop band Klymaxx for their fourth album, Meeting in the Ladies Room (1984). Written and co-produced by Klymaxx keyboardist Lynn Malsby, the song was released as the album's third single. "I Miss You" eventually reached number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and number 1 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. Despite peaking at number 5 in the US, it was ranked at number 3 on the year-end Billboard chart for 1986, mainly because of its run on the pop chart lasting for 29 weeks.

<i>Meeting in the Ladies Room</i> 1984 studio album by Klymaxx

Meeting in the Ladies Room is the third studio album by Klymaxx, released in 1984. In the US, it reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 9 on the R&B album chart. It is certified Gold.

<i>Klymaxx</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Klymaxx

Klymaxx is the fourth studio album by Klymaxx, released in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Still Say Yes</span> 1987 single by Klymaxx

"I'd Still Say Yes" is a hit single recorded by Klymaxx for the Constellation/MCA label. Written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Greg Scelsa, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, and produced by Fenderella, it was released as the third single from their fifth album, Klymaxx, helping it reach gold status. The song featured backing vocals by R&B singer Howard Hewett. Reaching its peak at number seven on Billboard's Black Singles chart, and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was the group's last Hot 100 entry. "I'd Still Say Yes" also went to number eight on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meeting in the Ladies Room (song)</span> 1985 single by Klymaxx

"Meeting in the Ladies Room" is a song recorded by Klymaxx for the MCA Records label, and the title track from their fourth album. It was written by Reggie Calloway, Vincent Calloway, and Boaz Watson. It was released as a single, reaching number 4 on the Billboard R&B chart, number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

"The Men All Pause" is a hit single recorded by Klymaxx for the MCA label. Written by Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby, this song was recorded and released as the first single off their fourth album, Meeting in the Ladies Room. This song reached number 5 on the Billboard R&B chart, number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 9 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The success of this song helped the group's Meeting in the Ladies Room album reach Platinum status.

"Sexy" is a moderately successful hit recorded by Klymaxx for the MCA label. Produced and written by Bernadette Cooper with George Clinton, the song was recorded and released as the second single from their fifth album, Klymaxx. The song reached number 18 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart.

"Divas Need Love Too" is a single recorded by Klymaxx for the MCA label. Relying on an outside producer and songwriters, this song was recorded and released as the fourth and final single from their fifth album, Klymaxx. This song reached number 14 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.

<i>The Maxx Is Back</i> 1990 studio album by Klymaxx

The Maxx Is Back is the fifth studio album by Klymaxx, released in 1990, by which time the group only consisted of three original members, Lorena Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley (guitar) and Robbin Grider (keyboards). Bernadette Cooper (vocals/drums), Lynn Malsby (keyboards) and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby were not involved in the project.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Klymaxx album) 1996 greatest hits album by Klymaxx

Greatest Hits is the seventh and final album with (Constellation/MCA) by the group Klymaxx. It featured one song from group founder Bernadette Cooper's 1990 solo album Drama According to Bernadette Cooper, called "I Look Good", as well as a compilation of their greatest hits. This is the first greatest hits package released by Klymaxx. Another compilation was released in 2003 as part of the 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection.

<i>Circumstantial Evidence</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Shalamar

Circumstantial Evidence is the ninth album by American R&B group Shalamar, produced by L.A. Reid, Babyface, Jerry Peters, and Klymaxx founding member Bernadette Cooper. Released in 1987 on the SOLAR label. The line-up on this album is Delisa Davis, Micki Free and Sydney Justin, the latter having replaced Howard Hewett, who had left the group in 1986 to pursue a solo career.

<i>Attitude</i> (Troop album) 1989 studio album by Troop

Attitude is the second album by new jack swing group Troop released by Atlantic Records on October 13, 1989. The album features numerous debuts by a few well known musicians. The songs "My Music" and "I Will Always Love You" marked the debut of record producer Dallas Austin, who co-produced the songs with his mentor Joyce "Fenderella" Irby - a former member of the band Klymaxx. A then-unknown Trent Reznor appeared as one of the recording engineers on the Gerald Levert produced songs "That's My Attitude" and "For You". The video version of the single "Spread My Wings" was the one of the first songs remixed by hip hop producer Clark Kent.

<i>Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman</i> 1981 studio album by Klymaxx

Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman is the debut album by R&B group Klymaxx. Released in 1981, it was produced by Otis Stokes and Stephen Shockley. The title is taken from the slogan of Ladies' Home Journal.

<i>Girls Will Be Girls</i> (Klymaxx album) 1982 studio album by Klymaxx

Girls Will Be Girls is the second album by R&B group Klymaxx. Released in 1982, Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Lakeside members Otis Stokes and Stephen Shockley with Dynasty member William Shelby. This would be one of the first acts Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis would begin their writing and production career outside of The Time.

References

  1. 1 2 Huey, Steve. "Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  2. ↑ "US Charts > Klymaxx". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  3. ↑ Portia K. Maultsby and Mellonee V. Burnim (2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis. p. 174-75. ISBN   9781315472089.
  4. 1 2 "When Artists Fight Over a Group Name". BET. May 2013. p. 7.
  5. ↑ Serene Dominic (2003). Burt Bacharach: Song By Song. Schirmer Trade Books. ISBN   9780857122599.
  6. ↑ "TV-One's "Unsung" Features All Female Band Klymaxx". 106.7 WTLC FM. November 15, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Cheryl Cooley v Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby". Law360.
  8. ↑ Randy Lewis (December 29, 2003). "Discord, with a little harmony". Los Angeles Times .
  9. ↑ DiGiacomo, Frank (June 25, 2021). "Klymaxx Members Say Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Is Inducting the Wrong Band". Billboard.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.