Lipps Inc.

Lipps, Inc.

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1979
Founder	Steven Greenberg
Headquarters	Minneapolis , United States
Products	Disco and funk music

Lipps, Inc. (a play on the term "lip sync") was a disco and funk ensemble originating from Minneapolis, Minnesota, recognized primarily for their 1980 international smash hit "Funkytown". This track achieved number one positions in 28 countries and earned double platinum accolades.

The lineup included lead singer Cynthia Johnson along with session artists such as guitarist David Rivkin, Tom Riopelle, and bassist Terry Grant. The group’s founder, Steven Greenberg, was responsible for writing and producing the majority of their songs.

History

Lipps Inc. started as Steven Greenberg’s personal endeavor while he was employed as a wedding DJ. Originally planning to use the name Lip Sync, he switched to Lipps Inc. due to conflicts over the original name. After holding auditions for vocalists on the track "Rock It," Cynthia Johnson was selected, creating a duo formation.

Their debut single "Rock It" was released in 1979 under Greenberg’s Flight label, followed by their first album Mouth to Mouth. The album’s follow-up single, "Funkytown," dominated both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and dance charts for four consecutive weeks, selling more than two million copies and receiving platinum certification within the same year. The song also peaked at No. 2 in the United Kingdom and enjoyed widespread international success.

Later singles failed to match this level of achievement; only "Rock It" managed to appear on the Hot 100, reaching No. 64. Nonetheless, dance tracks such as "How Long" (1981) climbed to No. 4 on U.S. dance charts. After releasing their third album Designer Music, Cynthia Johnson departed and was succeeded by Margie Cox and Melanie Rosales. Lipps Inc.’s last album, 4, came out in 1983 before the group dissolved in 1985.

Europe

In Europe, British performer Doris D (Debbie Jenner) lip-synced their hit on the Dutch program TopPop. This exposure led to numerous live appearances throughout Europe, including Germany. Jenner and her dancers subsequently gained recognition as "Doris D & the Pins" in early 1981.

Awards and recognitions

• Platinum and Double-Platinum certifications for Funkytown
• Inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame

Studio albums

Title	Year	Peak chart positions									Certifications
		US Billboard 200	US R&B	AUS	AUT	CAN	GER	NLD	NOR	SWE
Mouth to Mouth	1979	5	5	57	7	12	11	23	21	10	RIAA: Gold MC: Gold
Pucker Up	1980	63	37	—	—	—	—	—	40	46
Designer Music	1981	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4	1983	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Compilation albums

Album title	Details
Funkyworld: The Best of Lipps, Inc.	Issued: 1992 Record label: Island Records
Funkytown	Issued: 2003 Record label: Universal Music Enterprises

Singles

Catalogue of singles with release dates and highest chart rankings

Song title	Release year	Top chart positions											Sales certifications
		US	US Dance	US R&B	AUS	CAN	GER	ITA	NLD	NOR	SWE	UK
"Rock It"	1979	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Funkytown"	1980	1	1	2	1	1	1	5	1	1	2	2	RIAA: Double Platinum British Phonographic Industry: Gold certification MC: Double Platinum	-
64		20	85	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
—		4	29	44	42	32	6	30	—	16	—
1981	—	11	70	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983	—	8	78	—	—	—	—	—
1985	—	32	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

See also

• List of artists who have achieved number one status in the United States
• List of performers who attained number one on the U.S. dance charts

External links

• Lipps Inc. photo collection