52nd Street (band)
52nd Street | |
---|---|
Origin | Manchester, England |
Genres | Jazz, funk, soul, R&B |
Years active | 1980–1991 |
Labels | |
Past members |
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52nd Street were a British
Overview
The original line-up consisted of Tony Henry (guitar), Derrick Johnson (bass), Desmond Isaacs (keyboards), drummer Tony Thompson (drums) (not to be confused with the Chic drummer of the same name), Jennifer McCloud (vocals). Vocalist Rose Williams and saxophonist Eric Godden both came and departed before John Dennison replaced Desmond Isaacs and Beverley McDonald replaced Jennifer McCloud, at which point the lineup stabili[z/s]ed.[2]
The band played gigs around the Manchester scene, whilst at the same time recording demo tapes in local studios. Local funk DJ Mike Shaft became their mentor, playing 52nd Street demos on his
Factory years
52nd Street's first release on Factory Records in 1982 was "Look into My Eyes," backed with "Express", produced by Donald Johnson. Journalist Paul Morley, then reviewing singles for the NME, made it his single of the week, but his approval did little to get daytime radio play or enhance sales.[3]
"Cool as Ice" (backed with "Twice as Nice") was not released in the UK, although the song gained a top 30 Billboard Dance Chart position.[4] A&M flew the band to the US to promote the release, playing live club dates mainly on the east side of the country, including two nights at the Danceteria in New York City. The success of "Cool as Ice" in 1983 led A&M (US) to demand a follow-up single to maintain momentum.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Wilson began to include the band on Factory's publicity material. They also appeared twice on his Granada Reports news programme.
Anxious to release more material, 52nd Street became restless and found themselves caught in a dilemma. While major labels including A&M (UK) were starting to show interest, certain band members felt loyal to the Factory organisation. Discussions followed that led to Wilson's ex-wife, Lindsay Reade, becoming their manager. She could make decisions on behalf of Factory Communications, upon approval from either Rob Gretton or Tony Wilson.
Lindsay Reade years
Reade had returned to Factory Records in 1984, to run the Overseas Licensing Department. Once manager, she put together a strategy to hasten productivity. After a short non-productive period, the band regrouped and reorganised.[5] Vocalist Beverley McDonald departed and promptly began contributing to Quando Quango's LP Pigs and Battleships.[6]
McDonald was replaced by Diane Charlemagne (later lead vocalist with Moby and would go on to bigger UK success with the Urban Cookie Collective).[5]
New Order's
Eleven months had passed since A&M US requested a follow-up single. They finally lost patience with the unprofessionalism of Factory Records. Reade, implementing what she thought was agreed company policies and procedures, mailed copies of the new single to A&M US. They rejected the track, thus leaving the band free to negotiate with other interested parties. Profile Records heard "Can't Afford" on constant rotation in New York night clubs and noted that A&M had declined to exercise the option. Reade, as Overseas Licensing Manager, negotiated with Profile Records who wanted to release the record as bootleg recordings were already beginning to surface.
Reade sacking
Reade's business dealings caused eruptions not just with Wilson and Gretton, but Michael Shamberg who ran Factory US. 52nd Street were caught in the middle and the band members' allegiance to Reade was beginning to fragment. In December 1984, a Factory Records management meeting took place at which Reade was sacked and told to leave the offices without the band.[5]
"Can't Afford" was an even a bigger US success than "Cool as Ice," entering the top 20 on the Billboard Dance Chart in early 1985.[7]
Loyalties within the band were being tested. Derrick Johnson was a Factory Records man. He not only played bass for 52nd Street, but was also session guitarist alongside his brother Barry Johnson (former bass player with Sweet Sensation) in Quando Quango. After deliberation and against the wishes of both Gretton and Wilson, 52nd Street followed Lindsay Reade and left Factory Records in January 1985. Derrick Johnson refused to follow and stayed with the organisation.[8]
Children of the Night
The band went on to have success in the
Something's Going On
Their second and final album, Something's Going On, was released in 1987. It was not a commercial success, although "I'll Return" reached No. 79 on the US R&B Chart.[11] The album and single failed to chart in the UK. One other single from the album was released, "Are You Receiving Me?". In 1988, the group, minus Dennison, released one last unsuccessful single as 52nd Street, "Say You Will".
In late 1987, Dennison co-wrote the dance hit single "Girls Can Jak Too" with his sister Susan (released under the name 'Zuzan'), produced by Mike Pickering.
Cool Down Zone
In 1990, Charlemagne and Bowry re-emerged under the name Cool Down Zone. They invited 52nd Street's live drummer Mike Wilson to join, and they released the album New Direction. They released two singles from the album; "Heaven Knows" and "Waiting For Love". "Heaven Knows" reached No. 52 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] They released two more singles, "Lonely Hearts" in 1992 and "Essential Love" in 1993, before disbanding. Tony Henry went on to form FR'Mystery, releasing music on the imprint Gwarn Records between 1991 and 1994.
Discography
Albums
Year | Album | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
UK [13] |
US R&B [9] | ||
1985 | Children of the Night | 71 | 23 |
1987 | Something's Going On | — | — |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US R&B [4][11] |
US Dance
[4] |
UK
[13] | ||
1982 | "Look Into My Eyes" | — | — | — |
1983 | "Cool as Ice" | — | 29 | — |
"Twice as Nice" | — | — | ||
1984 | "Can't Afford" | — | 16 | — |
1985 | "Tell Me (How It Feels)" | 8 | 14 | 54 |
"You're My Last Chance" | 67 | — | 49 | |
1986 | "Children of the Night" | — | — | — |
"I Can't Let You Go" | — | — | 57 | |
1987 | "Are You Receiving Me?" | — | — | — |
"I'll Return" | 79 | — | — | |
1988 | "Say You Will" | — | — | 98 |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |
References
- ^ a b c Hogan, Ed. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "52ND STREET". The Factory Records catalogue. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ Morley, Paul. "Sparkling", NME. 29 May 1982.
- ^ a b c "52nd Street Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "24 Hour Party People". 22 June 2002. Archived from the original on 22 June 2002. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ^ "HERITAGE: GROUNDBREAKING MANCUNIAN R&B BAND 52ND STREET PERFORM "I'LL RETURN" ON 'SOLID SOUL' (1986)". Trench. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "52nd Street - Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ Blues & Soul, Issues 448-460. Napfield Limited. 1985. p. 11. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ a b "52nd Street – Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "52nd Street - Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "52ND STREET - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2020.