Jump to content

Shalamar

From Alfawiki
Shalamar
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1977
FounderDick Griffey, Don Cornelius
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
Area served
United States, United Kingdom, Europe
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances
Websitewww.shalamar.com

Shalamar () is a United States-based R&B and soul music vocal ensemble established in 1977 by Dick Griffey and Don Cornelius, primarily active throughout the 1980s. The most recognized formation under the SOLAR label consisted of Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel. Initially conceived as a disco-oriented act by Soul Train booking agent Griffey alongside producer Cornelius, Shalamar evolved into a prominent dance trio under Griffey's management. Their first recording contract was with Soul Train Records, but following the dissolution of the Cornelius-Griffey Entertainment partnership, they transitioned to Griffey's Solar Records.

As noted in British Hit Singles & Albums, Shalamar not only influenced music but also became style icons, credited with introducing "body-popping" dance moves to audiences in the United Kingdom. The group's name was created by Griffey.

Career

The debut hit from Shalamar, "Uptown Festival" (1977), was laid down at Ike & Tina Turner’s Bolic Sound studio and released through Soul Train Records. Its popularity prompted founders Griffey and Cornelius to substitute session vocalists with well-known Soul Train dancers Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel, who joined original lead singer Gary Mumford. For their sophomore album, Disco Gardens (1978), Gerald Brown replaced Mumford and delivered the successful single "Take That to the Bank". Following disagreements over compensation with Griffey and SOLAR Records, Brown departed in 1979 and was succeeded by Howard Hewett. The group then collaborated with producer Leon Sylvers III, signed with SOLAR Records, and scored a million-selling hit in the US with "The Second Time Around" (1979). This era featuring Hewett, Watley, and Daniel is considered Shalamar’s definitive lineup.

In the United Kingdom, Shalamar achieved chart success with tracks such as "Take That to the Bank" (1978), "I Owe You One" (1980), along with songs from their Platinum-certified album Friends (1982): "I Can Make You Feel Good", "A Night to Remember", Silver-certified "There It Is", and the album’s title track. This record blended elements of pop, disco, and soul, securing substantial sales across UK markets. Jeffrey Daniel’s performance of body-popping on BBC’s Top of the Pops, which marked the television debut of the moonwalk, significantly enhanced their visibility in Britain. Michael Jackson admired Daniel’s dance artistry after witnessing him on Soul Train, leading to Daniel’s role as co-choreographer on Jackson's music videos for "Bad" and "Smooth Criminal" from the 1987 Bad album.

The combination of Hewett, Watley, and Daniel produced three Gold-certified albums in the United States: Big Fun (1979), Three for Love (1980), and Friends (1982). In 1983, Watley and Daniel exited the group due to internal disagreements and conflicts with Griffey and SOLAR Records. Although their follow-up album The Look did not replicate the success of Friends, it achieved Gold status in the UK and featured singles such as "Disappearing Act", Grammy-nominated "Dead Giveaway", and "Over and Over", which incorporated new wave and synth-pop influences.

After replacements Micki Free and Delisa Davis joined for Daniel’s and Watley’s departures respectively, Shalamar reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Dancing in the Sheets", featured on the Footloose soundtrack. Additionally, they contributed "Don't Get Stopped in Beverly Hills," co-written by Hewett, Free, and David "Hawk" Wolinski, to the Grammy-winning soundtrack for Beverly Hills Cop. Both songs were included on Shalamar’s eighth studio release, Heartbreak (1984).

Howard Hewett pursued a solo career starting in 1985 but made a comeback to Shalamar in 2001. Sydney Justin succeeded Hewett as lead vocalist for their albums Circumstantial Evidence (1987), co-produced by Babyface and L.A. Reid, and Wake Up (1990), which were Shalamar's final projects before disbanding.

Reunions

In 1996, Watley collaborated with Hewett and Daniel on Babyface's hit single "This Is for the Lover in You," which sold over a million copies and was a rendition of Shalamar's original 1980 track. A music video brought the three former members together through digital effects, with each credited individually. Hewett, Watley, and Daniel also appeared alongside Babyface and LL Cool J to perform the song on the UK's Top of the Pops, marking Shalamar's first live reunion since 1983.

Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel revived Shalamar in 1999 for shows in Japan, followed by tours across the UK in 2000, 2001, and 2003. Beginning in 2001, the group consisted of Hewett, Daniel, and Carolyn Griffey—who is both the daughter of Shalamar’s founder Dick Griffey and a longtime admirer of the band. Carolyn’s mother is Carrie Lucas, for whom Watley provided backing vocals. This formation appeared on the UK series Hit Me, Baby, One More Time in 2005, advancing to the finale. Subsequently, they embarked on annual tours throughout the UK, Cannes, USA, Nigeria, and Japan.

Shalamar was featured on TV One’s Unsung, where Watley, Daniel, and Hewett shared insights into the band's beginnings, financial difficulties with SOLAR Records, their achievements, and various lineup shifts. Interviews also included Dick Griffey and other key figures.

In October 2009, Hewett, Daniel, and Griffey performed at London’s The O2 Arena as part of "The Ultimate Boogie Nights Disco Concert Series," which led to a UK tour in April 2010. The group continued to perform at IndigO2 annually from 2011 through 2014.

Since 2015, Shalamar—comprising Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel, and Carolyn Griffey—has maintained a robust touring schedule in the UK with up to thirty performances yearly at prestigious venues such as The London Palladium and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Their tours have also extended to France, South Africa, Spain, Holland, and Mozambique, with appearances at notable festivals including Boogietown and Love Supreme.

In 2017, Shalamar released "The Real Thing," marking their first new single since 1991.

As of July 2018, all Shalamar licensing rights across the UK and 28 European countries are officially held by Carrie Lucas and Carolyn Griffey. Carolyn Griffey contested Jody Watley’s US trademark claim over Shalamar but was unsuccessful after the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favor of Watley. Nevertheless, as of August 2025, Jody Watley no longer holds registration for the US Shalamar trademark.

In September 2023, Shalamar was honored with a stone on Camden’s Music Walk Of Fame. Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel, and Carolyn Griffey accepted the accolade on behalf of all members. The ceremony included tributes from prominent industry personalities such as DJ Spoony and Nile Rodgers.

In 2024, Shalamar conducted six US concerts including a performance at the "Fool In Love" Festival alongside Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

Personnel

  • Jeffrey Daniel – vocals, guitar (1977–1983, 1996–1997, 1999–present)
  • Jody Watley – vocals (1977–1983, 1996–1997)
  • Gary Mumford – vocals (1977–1978)
  • Gerald Brown – vocals (1978–1979)
  • Howard Hewett – vocals, piano, guitar (1979–1985, 1996–1997, 1999–present)
  • Delisa Davis – vocals, keyboards (1983–1991)
  • Micki Free – vocals, guitar (1983–1991)
  • Sidney Justin – vocals, keyboards (1985–1991)
  • Carolyn Griffey – vocals (2001–present)

Discography

Studio albums

See also

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Shalamar&oldid=81197"