Skyy (band)
Skyy | |
---|---|
Also known as | New York Skyy |
Origin | |
Years active | 1977–1993 |
Labels | Salsoul, Capitol, Atlantic |
Past members | Solomon Roberts, Jr. Anibal "Butch" Sierra Gerald Lebon Tommy McConnell Larry Greenberg Denise Dunning Wilkinson Benita "Bonnie" Dunning Williams Dolores Dunning Milligan Wayne Wilentz |
Skyy (also known as New York Skyy)
Career
Skyy was formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1977.[2] The original line-up consisted of sisters Denise, Delores, and Bonny Dunning as vocalists, with guitarists Solomon Roberts and Anibal Anthony Sierra, keyboardist Larry Greenberg, bassist Gerald Lebon, and drummer Tommy McConnell.[2][3] In 1978 the band was signed to Salsoul Records, releasing their debut album the following year.[2]
After several albums that yielded moderate hits on the
In the mid-1980s, the band signed with Capitol Records and released their next album, From the Left Side in 1986. Apart from the top ten R&B single, "Givin' It (to You)", the album saw limited success, and the group left Capitol soon thereafter.[3][8]
In 1989, after signing to
The sisters have performed consistently since then. In 2007 they attempted to beat a Guinness World Record for the largest kazoo band at the Summerstage Concert Series in Harlem USA, singing their song Skyyzoo.[10][11] Other notable performances have included the Salsoul Reunion Concert, where they performed with former label mates Carol Williams, Double Exposure, Instant Funk and Joe Bataan in New York City.[12]
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications
|
Record label | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [4] |
US R&B [4] |
NZ
[13] |
UK [14] | |||||||||||
1979 | Skyy | 117 | 40 | — | — | Salsoul | ||||||||
1980 | Skyway
|
61 | 17 | — | — | |||||||||
Skyyport
|
85 | 16 | 40 | — | ||||||||||
1981 | Skyy Line | 18 | 1 | — | — | |||||||||
1982 | Skyyjammer | 81 | 22 | — | — | |||||||||
1983 | Skyylight | 183 | 44 | — | — | |||||||||
1984 | Inner City | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
1986 | From the Left Side | — | 33 | — | 85 | Capitol | ||||||||
1989 | Start of a Romance | 155 | 16 | — | — | Atlantic | ||||||||
1992 | Nearer to You | — | 52 | — | — | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Compilation albums
- Skyy Flyy (1982, Salsoul)
- Greatest Hits (1996, The Right Stuff)
- The Anthology (2006, Suss'd)[15]
- Skyyhigh: The Skyy Anthology 1979–1992 (2014, Big Break)
Singles
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [4] |
US R&B [4] |
CAN [16] |
NLD
[17] |
UK
[1] | ||||||||||
1979 | "First Time Around" | — | 20 | 50 | 49 | — | — | Skyy | ||||||
"Let's Turn It Out" | — | 65 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
"This Groove Is Bad" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
1980 | "High" | 102 | 13 | 26 | — | — | — | Skyway | ||||||
"Skyyzoo" | — | 32 | 41 | — | — | — | ||||||||
"Here's to You" | — | 23 | 24 | — | — | — | Skyyport | |||||||
1981 | "Superlove" | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | |||||||
"For the First Time" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
"Call Me" | 26 | 1 | 3 | — | 34 | — | Skyy Line | |||||||
1982 | "Let's Celebrate" | — | 16 | — | — | — | 67 | |||||||
"When You Touch Me" | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
"Movin' Violation" | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | Skyyjammer | |||||||
1983 | "Let Love Shine" | — | 39 | 41 | — | — | — | |||||||
"Bad Boy" | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | Skyylight | |||||||
"Show Me the Way" | — | 35 | 10 | — | — | 97 | ||||||||
"Married Man" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
1984 | "Dancin' to Be Dancin'" | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | Inner City | ||||||
1986 | "Givin' It (To You)" | — | 8 | 42 | — | — | 83 | From the Left Side | ||||||
"Non-Stop" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
"Love Illogical" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
1989 | "Start of a Romance" | — | 1 | 41 | — | — | — | Start of a Romance | ||||||
"Love All the Way" | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
"Real Love" | 47 | 1 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
1992 | "Up and Over (Stronger and Better)" | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | Nearer to You | ||||||
"Nearer to You" | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
2014 | "Top of the World" (Solidisco featuring Skyy) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
References
- ^ a b "NEW YORK SKYY - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ ISBN 9780595370078.
- ^ a b c d Wynn, Ron. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "US Charts > Skyy". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ISBN 9780898200805.
- ^ a b "American certifications – Skyy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "New York Skyy Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ Kwateng, Danielle (July 19, 2017). "Where Are They Now? Black Female Performers From The '80s". Essence.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ Maria Granditsky. "Miss Funkyflyy's Skyy Page". Hem.bredband.net. Archived from the original on July 4, 2004. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ "SKYY Challenges Guiness [sic] Record". Blackstarnews.com. July 24, 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ "Band tries to set new kazoo record". Sun Journal. August 3, 2007.
- ^ "Photo Review: Salsoul Reunion At Summerstage". Vibe.com. August 12, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ "SKYY - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ Dewhirst, Ian (2006). Liner notes from The Anthology. Salsa CD 030.
- ^ "CAN Charts > Skyy". RPM. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- MegaCharts. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
External links
- Skyy at AllMusic