B.B. & Q. Band (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band)

The B.B. & Q. Band was a studio concept group formed in the early 1980s by Jacques Fred Petrus, the mastermind behind other influential disco and funk acts such as Change and High Fashion. Based in New York, the band brought together a lineup of talented session musicians, many of whom would later gain recognition in their own right.

Original Line-Up:

• Mauro Malavasi – Piano & Synthesizers

• Peewee Ford – Bass Guitar

• Paolo Gianolio – Guitar

• Terri Silverlight – Drums

• Kevin Nance – Keyboards

Career Highlights

In 1981, the B.B. & Q. Band signed with Capitol Records, releasing their self-titled debut album. The lead single, “On The Beat”, became an international dancefloor hit and reached the UK Top 50.

Their sophomore album, All Night Long (1982), featured the track “Imagination”, written by Kae Williams (of Breakwater fame) and featuring guest vocals by Rick Brenna.

Their third release, Six Million Times (1983), continued their funk/disco fusion formula with polished studio production and danceable grooves.

In 1985, the group moved to Elektra Records and released Genie, their fourth album. Kae Williams returned to write, arrange, and produce the album. It featured uncredited yet prominent vocals from Curtis Hairston. The singles “Genie” and “I’m a Dreamer” both became UK Top 40 hits.

In 1987, the band released their final single, “Ricochet”, through Cooltempo / Chrysalis Records, which made it to the UK Top 75.

Discography

Tragic End

The story of the B.B. & Q. Band ended tragically. In 1987, Jacques Fred Petrus was murdered, bringing an abrupt close to one of the most influential behind-the-scenes careers in 1980s funk, disco, and post-disco music.