MrScorpio's Super Bomb Group Of The Day: THE OHIO PLAYERS!

[MrScorpio]

>>With their slinky, horn-powered grooves, impeccable musicianship, and eye-popping album covers, the Ohio Players were among the top funk bands of the mid-'70s. Emerging from the musical hotbed of Dayton in 1959, the group was originally dubbed the Ohio Untouchables, and initially comprised singer/guitarist Robert Ward, bassist Marshall "Rock" Jones, saxophonist/guitarist Clarence "Satch" Satchell, drummer Cornelius Johnson, and trumpeter/trombonist Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks. In late 1961, a relative of Ward's founded the Detroit-based Lupine Records, and the group traveled north to the Motor City to back the Falcons on their hit "I Found a Love"; the Ohio Untouchables soon made their headlining debut with "Love Is Amazing," but when Ward subsequently exited for a solo career, the group essentially disbanded.

At that point, the nucleus of Middlebrooks, Jones, and newly added guitarist Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner returned to Dayton; there they recruited saxophonist Andrew Noland and drummer Gary Webster, the latter a somewhat elusive figure whose true involvement in the group's convoluted history has never been definitively answered -- some sources credit him as a founding Untouchable, others even as the band's early leader. In any case, by 1967, with the subsequent addition of singers Bobby Lee Fears and Dutch Robinson, the newly rechristened Ohio Players were signed as the house band for the New York-based Compass Records, backing singer Helena Ferguson on her lone hit, "Where Is the Party," before issuing their solo debut, "Trespassin'," which hit the R&B charts in early 1968.<<

http://www.associatedentertainment.com/aec/National-Acts/Music-Category-1/Ohio-Players

[swag]

1. "Fire" is right up there in the Funky pantheon with

"Brick House," which I admit I voted for as "Funkiest song in the world," a week or two ago.

I wish I had thought of "Fire" when the voting was on.

[MrScorpio]

4. They did so much more than hardcore funk

Their musicianship shined through on many of their ballads.

Check out HEAVEN MUST BE LIKE THIS
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001G03/104-8551644-3981541?v=glance

[bobthedrummer]

5. We cover "Fire" by The Ohio Players.

We are The Books Banned.
It is a lot of fun to play, as my wife is the bass player.

[MrScorpio]

6. It's the bassline that makes that song

I'm sure she does it justice

[johnnie]

2. They were funkin' great

I like to listen to them once in a while. One of the best in their styles.

[BurtWorm]

3. Rollacoasta!

Wooohooohooo!

[LoZoccolo]

7. The killed somebody in the studio!

The model on the cover of Honey got burned when they ripped off the acrylic stuff they put on her on the cover that looked like honey, and she stormed into the studio threatening to sue and they stabbed her to death! You can hear her scream on "Rollercoaster of Love"! I don't listen to bands full of killers!

[swag]

8. You're joking, and if you're not, check the link

http://www.snopes.com/music/hidden/roller.htm

[LoZoccolo]

9. Yes I am joking.

:+

[thecai]

11. Rumors

I heard a different story, that it was a jealous boyfriend who shot her during the recording, but she survived.
There is no mention of Billy Beck, who was manager for a few years, as well as keyboards, songwriter, and more. He is a musical genius and was very young (18?) when they recorded "Fire".
I Love all their music, I partied with them once after their performance at the El Patio at stateline, Idaho.
on edit: the snopes link mentions Billy Beck, and dispels the rumor.

[LoZoccolo]

12. I think I actually first heard of the rumor from Snopes.

:+

[deutsey]

10. What a different time/world the '70s seem to me

I grew up during the '70s and remember listening to Parliament/Funkadelic, Ohio Players, Heatwave, as well as Aerosmith, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John and a wide variety of musical genres on the AM station I used to like.

[dbt]

13. FOPP!

And lookit the picture. My man is playing a DOUBLE NECK MOSRITE!!! It cannot possibly get any cooler!

:smoke: