GQ (band)
GQ | |
---|---|
Band members clockwise from top: Keith "Sabu" Crier, Emanuel Rahiem LeBlanc, Herb Lane and Steve Adorno | |
Background information | |
Origin | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Funk, R&B, soul music, disco |
Years active | 1968–1991, 1999 |
Labels | Arista |
Past members | Emanuel Rahiem LeBlanc Keith Crier (deceased) Herb Lane Paul Service Steve Adorno Kevin J. Zambrana |
GQ was an American musical group formed in The Bronx, New York, primarily noted for its success in funk, R&B, soul music and disco. The core membership of the group commenced playing professionally, under different group names, as of 1968.
History
GQ was first formed in 1968 as a quartet called Sabu & the Survivors, with "Sabu" being a moniker of member Keith Crier. The group then evolved in the 1970s as The Rhythm Makers, playing primarily
GQ became quite successful playing music representative of the period's
Drummer Paul Service fractured his wrist in a car accident in 1980.[4] On the cover of the third and final album by the group, Face to Face, Service is noticeably absent. The band ultimately replaced him with drummer Steve "Beatz" Adorno, who performed with GQ from 1980 to 2010.
Keith "Sabu" Crier was the son of Arthur Crier, a member of the doo-wop group the Halos. Sabu was the uncle of new jack swing/R&B singer Keith Sweat.
Steve Adorno has since become the drummer and bandleader of Fania recording artist Seguida, and SMI recording artist Devoshun. He is also a composer/producer with his own music label Onroda MusicWorks. He has composed music scores for two Off-Broadway plays, music scores for Nintendo video games, and two independent films.
GQ-percussionist Kevin Zambrana has since become a trusted associate to Mr-Q as President of ZPI Productions NYC.
Group frontman/primary songwriter Emanuel LeBlanc later signed with Capitol Records and recorded a solo album, Always Be Around, which was released in 1991. He still tours as GQ, and is widely known as "Mr. Q," an in-name tribute to the band. In 1999, "Mr. Q" (as a solo performer), recorded a covers album A Tribute to Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart.[1]
Keith "Sabu" Crier (born November 15, 1954) died in the Bronx, New York on September 29, 2013, at age 58.[5]
Members
- Emanuel Rahiem LeBlanc
- Keith "Sabu" Crier (died 2013)
- Herb Lane
- Paul Service (1978–1980)
- Steve Adorno (1980–2010)
- Kevin J. Zambrana (1980–1982)
Discography
Albums
Year | Title | Label | Peak chart positions | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US R&B [6] |
US Pop [6] | |||||||||
1979 | Disco Nights | Arista Records | 2 | 13 | ||||||
1980 | Two | 9 | 46 | |||||||
1981 | Face to Face | 18 | 140 | |||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Singles
Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Label | B-side | Album | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Pop [6] |
US Dance [6] |
US R&B [6] |
AUS [7] |
UK
[8] | ||||||
1976 | "Zone" (as the Rhythm Makers) | — | — | 92 | — | — | Vigor Records | "Prime Cut" | Soul on Your Side | |
1979 | "Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)" | 12 | 3 | 1 | 97 | 42 | Arista Records | "Boogie Oogie Oogie" | Disco Nights | |
"Make My Dreams a Reality" | — | — | 8 | — | — | "This Happy Feeling" | ||||
"I Do Love You" | 20 | — | 5 | — | — | "Make My Dreams a Reality" | ||||
1980 | "Standing Ovation" | — | 35 | 12 | — | — | "Reasons for the Seasons" | Two | ||
"Sitting in the Park" | 101 | — | 9 | — | — | "It's Like That" | ||||
"G.Q. Down" | — | — | — | — | — | "It's Like That" | ||||
"Someday (In Your Life)" | — | — | — | — | — | "Don't Stop This Feeling" | ||||
1981 | "Shake" | — | — | 23 | — | — | "Face to Face" | Face to Face | ||
1982 | "Sad Girl" | 93 | — | 39 | — | — | "Shy Baby" | |||
"Try Smurfin'" | — | — | — | — | — | "Try Smurfin'" (instrumental) | Non-album singles | |||
1984 | "You Are the One for Me" | — | — | — | — | — | Stadium Records | "You Are the One for Me" (dub version) | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
References
- ^ a b c "G.Q. Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. September 29, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "GQ, "I Do Love You" Chart Positions". Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- ^ "In Memory of Keith "Sabu" Crier". granbysfuneralservice.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "GQ - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "GQ - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 11, 2022.