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Home WJOS Playlist Home WJOS Playlist Jody Watley – Biography Overview Full Name: Jody Vanessa Watley Born: January 30, 1959, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Genres: R&B, Soul, Pop, Dance, Jazz, Electronic Occupations: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Performer, Actress Label Affiliations: MCA Records, Avitone Records, Universal Japan, Atco Records Early Life & Influences Raised in Chicago, Jody Watley was inspired early on by Diana Ross. At age 8, she made her stage debut performing with her godfather, Jackie Wilson. By 14, she was dancing on Soul Train, where she caught the eye of the show’s creator, Don Cornelius. Shalamar Era (1977–1983) Alongside fellow Soul Train dancer Jeffrey Daniel, Jody formed Shalamar with Gary Mumford (later replaced by Gerald Brown, then Howard Hewett). As a key member of Shalamar, she contributed to hits like: “The Second Time Around” “A Night To Remember” “Take That To The Bank” “For the Lover in You” “Friends” Jody left the group in 1983 to pursue a solo career. Solo Career Highlights 1980s: Breakout and Awards 1987: Released her debut solo album Jody Watley (MCA), featuring the hit “Looking for a New Love”. Earned the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1988. 1989: Follow-up album Larger Than Life featured dance and R&B hits like “Real Love” and “Friends” (one of the first mainstream singles to feature a rap artist—Eric B. & Rakim). 1990s: Evolution and Independence 1991: Affairs of the Heart peaked at #21 on the R&B chart. 1993: Intimacy included the R&B hit “Your Love Keeps Working on Me”. 1995: Launched her own label, Avitone Records, releasing Affection with production by Booker T. Jones. 1997: Released Flower, featuring “Off the Hook”. 1999: Saturday Night Experience, a club-oriented album, was released in Japan. 2000s: Reinvention and Global Reach 2001: Midnight Lounge was praised for blending soul, jazz, R&B, and electronica. 2005: The Makeover featured collaborations with 4Hero, King Britt, and others. 2008–2009: Expanded her reach by launching an online music store and signing a global distribution deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance Global. Broadway & Cultural Impact In 1996, she became the first African-American woman to play Rizzo in Grease on Broadway. Discography Highlights Studio Albums: Jody Watley (1987) Larger Than Life (1989) You Wanna Dance With Me? (1989 – Remix) Affairs of the Heart (1991) Intimacy (1993) Affection (1995) Flower (1998) Saturday Night Experience (1999) Midnight Lounge (2001) The Makeover (2005) Legacy Jody Watley is widely respected not only for her musical output but also for pioneering independence in the music industry as a woman of color. She helped bridge soul, pop, and electronic music, opened doors for hip-hop collaborations, and set trends in fashion and video style.

Home WJOS Playlist Home WJOS Playlist Slave – Overview Origin: Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A. Formed: 1975 Genre: Funk, R&B Initial Line-Up: Formed by Steve Washington from local bands The Young Mystics and Black Satin Soul. Key Members (Original & Notable Contributors) Founding/Original Members: Steve Washington – Trumpet, percussion, vocals Floyd Miller – Vocals, horns, percussion Tom Lockett Jr. – Sax, keyboards Mark L. Adams (The Hansolor) – Bass, vocals (d. March 5, 2011) Mark Hicks (Drac) – Lead guitar, vocals (d. June 14, 2011) Danny Webster – Lead vocals/guitar (d. September 11, 2020) Orion Wilhoite (Bimmy) – Saxophone (d. March 7, 2020) Tim Dozier (Tiny) – Drums Carter Bradley – Keyboards Later Key Members: Steve Arrington – Drums, vocals (joined 1978) Curt Jones – Vocals Starleana Young – Vocals Others: Raye Turner, Kenny Anderson, Kenni Hairston, Larry Houston, Eugene Jackson, Charles Cedell Carter, and more Albums & Highlights 1977–1981: Cotillion Records Era 1977 – Slave: Featured hits Slide, You and Me 1977 – The Hardness of the World: Included The Party Song, Baby Sinister 1978 – The Concept: Known for Stellar Funk 1979 – Just a Touch of Love: Title track hit UK charts 1980 – Stone Jam: Featured Watching You 1981 – Showtime: Included Wait for Me, Steal Your Heart, Party Lites 1982–1984 1982 – Visions of the Lite: Featured I’ll Be Gone 1983 – Bad Enuff: Included Steppin’ Out 1984 – New Plateau: Notable tracks Ooohh, Motorway Ichiban Label Era (1985–1992) 1985 – Unchained at Last: Included Jazzy Lady 1986 – Make Believe 1988 – Slave 88 1990 – Rebirth: Notable for instrumental Andy’s Ways 1992 – The Funk Strikes Back Later Releases 1996 – Masters of the Fungk: Reworkings and new material Legacy and Deaths of Members Mark Adams – Died March 5, 2011 Mark Hicks (Drac) – Died June 14, 2011 Orion Wilhoite (Bimmy) – Died March 7, 2020 Danny Webster – Died September 11, 2020 Side Projects Steve Arrington, Starleana Young, and Tom Lockett left to form Aurra, which later became Deja. Steve Arrington also pursued a solo career, including the 2009 release Pure Thang.  https://youtu.be/aDQOCRXZMbU?feature=sharedhttps://youtu.be/ON1_QJG01p0?feature=shared

Home WJOS Playlist Home WJOS Playlist 🎵 Starpoint – Band Overview Origin: Maryland, U.S.A. Active Years: Late 1970s – Early 1990s Genres: R&B, Funk, Soul, Dance Early Name: Licyndiana – a name derived from the sisters of the founding members, later changed due to pronunciation difficulties. Breakthrough: They emerged from the local Maryland music scene and gained national attention after signing with Casablanca Records in 1982, later moving to Elektra Records where they found their greatest success. 🧑‍🎤 Key Band Members Renee Diggs Born: July 23, 1954, Annapolis, MD Died: March 18, 2005, Annapolis, MD Lead vocalist with a powerful voice and commanding stage presence. She also worked with James Ingram and Bob James, and released a solo album in 1994 (released posthumously in 2000 by Expansion Records in the UK). Cause of Death: Complications from a heart condition. Ernesto McKenzie Phillips Born: July 13, 1953, Crownsville, MD Died: March 25, 2004, Baltimore Highlands, MD Primary songwriter, keyboardist, and co-founder. George Phillips Jnr. Died: 2021 One of the Phillips brothers and band co-founders. Gregory Phillips Guitarist and co-founding member. Orlando Phillips Bassist and also part of the core family lineup. Kayode Adeyemo Drummer and contributing songwriter. Lionel Job Producer and songwriter involved in the group’s production. 📀 Discography Chocolate City Records: Starpoint (1980) Keep on It (1981) Wanting You (1981) Casablanca Records: All Night Long (1982) Notable tracks: “Bring Your Sweet Lovin’ Back”, “Get Your Body Up” Boardwalk: It’s So Delicious (1983) Elektra Records: It’s All Yours (1984) Restless (1985) – Includes: “Objects Of My Desire”, “Emotions” Sensational (1987) Asylum Records: Hot to the Touch (1988) Elektra Records: Have You Got What It Takes (1991) ⭐ Legacy While Starpoint achieved greater success in the U.S., particularly in the R&B charts, they remained somewhat underground or cult favorites in the U.K. Their most iconic hit, “Object of My Desire,” remains a staple of 80s funk playlists and continues to define their legacy as one of the standout groups of that era. The group’s sound — infused with tight grooves, infectious hooks, and Diggs’ vibrant vocals — made them a standout on the 80s funk and dance scene, and they continue to be respected among collectors and fans of classic R&B and funk.

Home WJOS Playlist Home WJOS Playlist Frankie “Hollywood” Crocker (1937–2000) Occupation: DJ, VJ, Radio Programmer, TV Host, ActorKnown For: Revolutionizing Black radio and popularizing urban contemporary music. 🗣 Radio Career Highlights Early Days: Began his career in Buffalo at WUFO 1080 AM, a soul music station. New York Entry: Worked at WWRL (soul) and WMCA (Top 40) in NYC by 1969. WBLS Legacy: Joined 107.5 WBLS as Program Director and host. Turned it into NYC’s #1 station in the late 1970s. Coined the term “urban contemporary”—a format combining soul, disco, reggae, pop, and more. Known for flamboyant showmanship and signature outro song, “Moody’s Mood for Love” by King Pleasure. Famous for stunts, including entering Studio 54 on a white horse. Innovation: Created “Hollywood Live,” a satellite-enabled call-in radio show using toll-free numbers. Helped popularize artists like Madonna, Blondie, Grace Jones, The Clash, Bob Marley, and Manu Dibango. Gave NYC hits like “Love is the Message” (MFSB) and “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” (McFadden & Whitehead). Other Stations: Programmed for KUTE 101.9 FM in L.A., introducing a “Disco and More” format. 📺 TV and Film Career TV Hosting: One of VH-1’s original VJs. Hosted Solid Gold (syndicated) and Friday Night Videos (NBC). Frequent MC at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. Acting: Appeared in 5 films, including: Cleopatra Jones (1973) Five on the Black Hand Side (1973) Darktown Strutters (1975) ⚖️ Controversies Payola Scandal (1976): Indicted in a federal investigation; WBLS fired him. Charges were eventually dropped. Returned to WBLS in 1979; later left radio in 1985 for VH-1. Legal Troubles: Accused in 1983 of assaulting Carmela Pope—charges dropped. Linked romantically and as a suspect in the unsolved 1977 murder of actress Christa Helm (never charged). 📀 Music Legacy Led a group called The Heart & Soul Orchestra (no discography details provided here). Key figure in breaking multiple genres and artists to American urban audiences. 🏆 Honors Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2000) New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame (2005) 🕊 Death Died October 21, 2000, at age 62, of pancreatic cancer in Miami. Kept his illness a secret until his passing. Remembered as an icon who fused urban culture and radio artistry.

Home WJOS Playlist Home WJOS Playlist Curtis Kinnard Hairston Born: October 10, 1961 – Died: January 18, 1996Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A. Curtis Hairston was an American soul and R&B singer born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Showing a natural gift for music from a young age, he began singing at just 3 years old, participating in his local Tot’s Choir, Children’s Choir, and later, the Spiritual Choir. He first gained recognition locally for his moving rendition of “We Are All God’s Children,” a song he performed at his grandfather’s church. By the age of 13, Curtis had firmly decided to pursue music professionally. He received his early education in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system and continued to Winston-Salem State University. His musical training was further honed at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York. An important connection came when former NBA star Earl Monroe, who had started his own record label, Pretty Pearl, visited Winston-Salem. The two had attended the same school and quickly bonded. After hearing Curtis’s demo tape, Monroe signed him to his label. Curtis Hairston’s debut single, “I Want You (All Tonight),” was licensed to RCA in the U.K. and broke into the Top 50 in 1983. His follow-up single, “I Want Your Lovin’ (Just A Little Bit),” climbed even higher, becoming a Top 15 hit in the U.K. in 1985. In the U.S., he scored an R&B hit with his cover of Jimmy Cliff’s “We All Are One.” After signing with Atlantic Records, Curtis collaborated with legendary singer Nona Hendryx on his self-titled debut album released in 1987. The album featured the single “Chillin’ Out,” which reached the U.K. Top 60. He also fronted an album for the funk/disco group B.B.& Q. (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band), though he was not credited for his vocal work. His solo album featured contributions from notable artists such as Alyson Williams, Jocelyn Brown, Barbara Pennington, and Nona Hendryx. Luther Vandross also lent his background vocals to Hairston’s work at one point. One of the standout tracks from the album, “The Morning After,” became particularly popular in the U.K. Curtis later collaborated with the jazz group Ready For Reality, contributing to their 1990 album released on Next Plateau Records. Throughout his career, much of his material was written and produced by Greg Radford, who was behind an estimated 90% of Hairston’s work. Unfortunately, Curtis’s musical journey was challenged by chronic health issues. A lifelong battle with diabetes eventually led to kidney failure. As his condition worsened, he returned to his hometown of Winston-Salem for treatment. Even in his final days, Curtis remained connected to music and faith — performing before his church congregation just two weeks before his death. Curtis Hairston passed away on January 18, 1996, at the N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. He was only 34 years old. Though his life was brief, Curtis Hairston left a legacy of heartfelt music and vocal brilliance that continues to resonate with soul and R&B audiences around the world. Curtis Hairston Obituary