The Independents (vocal group)
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Genre | R&B |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Defunct | 1975 |
Key people | Charles "Chuck" Jackson, Maurice Jackson, Helen Curry, Eric Thomas, Marvin Jerome Yancy |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Independents were a vocal ensemble specializing in American R&B, active between 1971 and 1975. They secured multiple charting singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and R&B listings. Their 1973 track "Leaving Me" climbed to number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for a total of 14 weeks. This single surpassed one million sales, resulting in a gold certification from the R.I.A.A. on May 23, 1973.
Following the group's dissolution and the release of solo projects Passionate Breezes and Gonna Getcha Love, Chuck Jackson alongside fellow member Marvin Yancy gained recognition as producers and songwriters for much of Natalie Cole's initial success, additionally collaborating with artists such as Phyllis Hyman and Ronnie Dyson. Chuck Jackson is a half-sibling of Reverend Jesse Jackson, but he is not related to the singer Chuck Jackson. In 2019, original member Maurice Jackson revived The Independents with new members Theo Huff, Rashan Thompson, Vanessa Lainey, Parkas Alexander, and himself.
Members
- Charles "Chuck" Jackson – born March 22, 1945, in Greenville, South Carolina
- Maurice Jackson – born June 12, 1942, in Chicago
- Helen Curry – born in Clarksdale, Mississippi
- Eric Thomas – Chicago-born
- Marvin Jerome Yancy – born May 31, 1950, Chicago; passed away March 22, 1985
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Highest chart positions | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US[1] | US R&B[1] | |||
| 1972 | The First Time We Met | 127 | 18 | Wand |
| 1973 | Chuck, Helen, Eric, Maurice | — | — | Wand |
| "—" indicates albums that did not chart or were unreleased. | ||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Peak position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B | |||
| 1974 | Discs of Gold | 42 | Wand |
| 1991 | Leaving Me: Their Golden Classics | — | Collectables |
| 2016 | Just As Long: The Complete Wand Recordings 1972-74 | — | Kent Soul |
| "—" indicates releases that did not chart or were not issued. | |||
Singles
| Year | Single | US | US R&B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | "Just as Long as You Need Me (Part 1)" | 84 | 8 |
| 1972 | "I Just Want to Be There" | 113 | 38 |
| 1973 | "Leaving Me" | 21 | 1 |
| 1973 | "Baby I've Been Missing You" | 41 | 4 |
| 1973 | "It's All Over" | 65 | 12 |
| 1974 | "The First Time We Met" | 103 | 20 |
| 1974 | "Arise and Shine (Let's Get It On)" | — | 19 |
| 1974 | "Let This Be a Lesson to You" | 88 | 7 |