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Biography
With a line-up of both singers and dancers Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel, Shalamar were joined by producer Leon Sylvers III, and signed with Griffey’s SOLAR Records in 1979 . The same year the group had their debut smash hit with “Take That to the Bank”, which sold over a million copies in the U.S. The single paved the way for a string of subsequent hits in both the U.S. and the UK, including “The Second Time Around” later in 1979, “I Owe You One” in 1980, and “I Can Make You Feel Good” in 1982.
“There It Is”, “Friends” and “A Night to Remember” also became smash hits in 1982, the latter of which popularised the group in the UK for Daniel’s body-popping dancing skills, where he premiered the moonwalk for the first time on the TV show "Top of the Pops". After watching Shalamar on the TV show “Soul Train”, Michael Jackson became a fan of the groups and took his 12 year old sister Janet to see the band perform at Disneyland. In addition Daniel later helped choreograph the iconic moves in Jackson’s “Bad” and “Smooth Criminal” music videos.
The band released three albums with this line-up “Big Fun”, “Three for Love” and “Friends”, representing Shalamar’s golden age. With increasing tensions with Dick Griffey and Solar Records, Watley and Daniel departed the group, making way for Micki Free and Delisa Davis. The change marked a musical move into a more new wave/synth inspired sound, however the band soon found success again. In 1984 the single “Dancing in the Sheets” from the “Footloose” soundtrack saw the band reached the Billboard Top 20 again and “Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly Hills” from “Beverly Hills Cop” earned the band their only Grammy. Hewett left the group shortly after and was replaced by Sydney Justin, although the band quickly sank into obscurity.
In 1996 the original line-up returned alongside LL Cool J and Babyface with the single “This Is for the Lover in You”. The group subsequent played again on “Top of the Pops”, the trio’s first live performance since 1983. Since then with a line-up of Daniel, Hewett and Dick Griffey’s daughter Carolyn Griffey, Shalamar have regularly toured the UK, including as part of “The Ultimate Boogie Nights Disco Concert Series” in 2009.
Live reviews
Shalamar were the “Uptown Festival” singing band who really made a name for themselves throughout the 70’s and the 80’s. They went on to be an extremely influential dance trio. They are also alumni of Soul Train Records. Tonight is a little bit of a reunion for this strong trio, who have still got it years on from their success. “Full of Fire” is the high energy song that opens their set with a bang, seeing all of the members bouncing off the walls with their charismatic dancing, big smiles and singing. “This is for the Love in You” has the WHOLE audience joining in this time, I feel as though they all practiced before hand and I didn’t get the memo. “A Night to Remember” is the song that puts the audience in a reflective place seeing the group show of some insightful lyrics and three part harmonies. “My Girl Loves Me” despite not being the most well known song from this group is their set closer. It goes down ever so well with the audience, with everyone bouncing off the walls.
Lannistaar
For anybody interested in the disco, soul and funk Stateside movement of the 70s, you will know and more than likely love the name Shalamar. Although the musicians were fairly inactive throughout the entirety of the 90s, since 2001 Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett reformed the group with help of vocalist Carolyn Griffey.
The best part of Shamalar's music is the feel good factor and the fact it is accessible to numerous generations. Regardless of your age, you cannot deny the boogie of 'The Second Time Around' and 'Take That to the Bank'. These timeless tracks ooze in retro goodness and the soul vocals sound as warm and inviting as ever. The three musicians all know how to get a party started and the setlist is a culmination of all these hits placed back to back so the pace never drops. Their biggest international hit 'A Night to Remember' has the whole room united in singalong and it is a fitting end to the celebration of Shalamar.
sean-ward
It was an absolutely awesome performance by Shalamar @ The G Live Theatre in Guilford 29.11.16 going through all the classics There It Is, Make That Move, Friends,I Can Make You Feel Good to name a few, Howard Hewitt vocals are still great as is too Jeffrey Daniels robotic dance moves complemented by Caroline's vocals, fantastic musicians and a great sounding PA with the full house crowd on the dance floor for most of the show.
I would highly recommend catching the tour in the uk if you can.
godwin-sylvester
Saturday 26th November 2016 c. 10:15pm GMT -Just left Kings Lynn Corn Exchange having just witnessed one of the finest funk soul bands on planet earth. ...the 80's pop sensation that is the one and only SHALAMAR. Now my life is even more complete.
Thank you Lord!
Tony Eve
(life long Shalamar fan)
Peterborough, UK
evegang
It was an excellent concert, singing all the hits of the 80's. It bought back lots of memories. Just a shame Shalamar weren't on for any longer.
Will definitely go and see them again.
lindaigglesden
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