Pajama Party (group)
| Company type | Vocal trio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Jennifer McQuilkin, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Suzi Ranta |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Pajama Party was a female vocal trio from Brooklyn, New York, active between 1988 and 1992. The founding members included Jennifer McQuilkin (New Jersey), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Panama), and Suzi Ranta (Michigan), working alongside songwriter Peggy Sendars and producer Jim Klein.
Career
The group originally consisted of Rubin-Vega, McQuilkin, and Ranta, with McQuilkin serving as the lead singer. In 1989, Lynn Critelli and Amanda Homi joined the lineup, replacing McQuilkin and Ranta.
Their most notable single, "Yo No Sé" (1988), performed by McQuilkin, was among the earliest freestyle songs to feature a fully Spanish title and reached #75 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up track, "Over and Over"—originally recorded by Brenda K. Starr—peaked at #59.
First album
The trio's debut album, Up All Night, was released in 1988 under Atlantic Records. In 1989, Amanda Homi replaced Marialisa Costanzo, a dancer from Club MTV. Their single "Hide and Seek" (1990), remixed by Robert Clivillés and David Cole, marked their first music video release and climbed to #73 on the Hot 100 chart.
The album included songs such as "Lovelight" and the ballad "Living Inside Your Love." Several singles appeared on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. During this period, Pajama Party toured alongside artists like New Kids on The Block, George Lamond, Sweet Sensation, Brenda K. Starr, Linear, and Sa-Fire.
Second album
Their sophomore album, Can't Live Without It (1991), also released through Atlantic Records, featured the single "Got My Eye on You." The title track blended elements of R&B and pop music.
Moving forward
The group disbanded in 1992; however, members continued their careers within the entertainment industry. Rubin-Vega achieved success as a solo dance artist and leads her rock band DRV; she is also known for originating the role of 'Mimi' in the Broadway production of Rent. McQuilkin, Ranta, and Critelli have remained active in music, while Homi and Costanzo transitioned into acting careers.
In 2000, a reformed version of Pajama Party performed at an event honoring Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records. This lineup featured Costanzo alongside new members Janine Acquafredda (previously a backup singer for Lisette Melendez) and Johanna (formerly known as freestyle artist Lil' Johanna), performing both classic hits and new songs.
Discography
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Up All Night Released: October 23, 1989 |
| 1991 | Can't Live Without It
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot Dance Music/Club Play | Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | |||
| 1989 | "Yo No Sé" | 75 | 34 | 17 | Up All Night |
| "Over and Over" | 59 | 26 | 4 | ||
| 1990 | "Hide and Seek" | 73 | 33 | 17 | |
| "Living Inside Your Love" | - | - | - | ||
| 1991 | "Got My Eye On You" | - | - | - | Can't Live Without It |