The Trammps
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
| Products | Disco and soul music |
The Trammps are a Philadelphia-based American group known for their contributions to disco and soul, widely regarded as trailblazers in the disco genre.
Their first major success was a 1972 rendition of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart", while their debut disco track, "Love Epidemic," was released in 1973. Their most famous song, "Disco Inferno", appeared on the Grammy-winning Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Initially issued in 1976, it became a significant hit in the UK and dominated the US Dance chart for six consecutive weeks in early 1977. Following its re-release in 1978, it climbed to number 11 on the US pop charts.
1970s
The Trammps originated from the 1960s ensemble the Volcanos, which later adopted the name the Moods. By the early 1970s, the lineup prominently featured gospel-tinged lead vocalist Jimmy Ellis, drummer and bass singer Earl Young, along with brothers Stanley and Harold 'Doc' Wade. Throughout recording sessions and tours, members of Philadelphia’s acclaimed studio band MFSB supported them, with Robert Upchurch joining at a later stage. Production duties were managed by Philadelphia producers Ronnie Baker, Norman Harris, and Earl Young—key figures within MFSB who also contributed to songwriting.
Their first charting success came with an energetic cover of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart", showcasing Young’s bass vocals, which reached the top 20 on the US R&B charts in 1972.
Among their early releases on Buddah Records was "Hold Back the Night," which charted on Billboard's R&B listings in 1973 and subsequently found success in the UK. After several R&B hits under Philadelphia International’s Golden Fleece label—operated by Baker-Harris-Young—they transitioned to Atlantic Records.
The single "Disco Inferno" (1976), featured on the Grammy-winning Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track, attained No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 by May 1978.
Additional notable tracks included "Hold Back the Night" (1975), which reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, and "That's Where the Happy People Go" (1976). In late 1977, they released "The Night the Lights Went Out" as a tribute to New York City’s blackout that occurred in July.
Their hallmark song "Disco Inferno" has been interpreted by artists such as Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper. Furthermore, Graham Parker’s 1977 cover of "Hold Back the Night" peaked at No. 24 in the UK and entered US charts. In 2021, both "Disco Inferno" and "Can We Come Together" from Where the Happy People Go received Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry.
Dissolution and aftermath
On September 19, 2005, "Disco Inferno" was honored with induction into the Dance Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York City. Co-written by producer and MFSB member Ron Kersey—who also performed with The Trammps during the 1970s—the original lineup reunited for this event after a quarter-century apart. The song gained renewed attention during the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, with its refrain "burn, baby, burn" cleverly adapted as "Bern, baby, Bern."
By 2007, two separate versions of the group were actively performing on nostalgia tours.
Lead vocalist Jimmy Ellis passed away on March 8, 2012, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at age 74 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. Music critic Ron Wynn highlighted Ellis’ "booming, joyous vocals" as a defining element of The Trammps’ distinctive disco sound.
On June 30, 2019, The Trammps made an appearance on HBO’s Big Little Lies, Season 2, episode 4 titled "She Knows."
Stan Wade died in January 2021.
Band members
- Ronnie Baker (1947–1990) – bass guitar, vocals
- Ed Cermanski – keyboard instruments
- John Davis – saxophone
- Jimmy Ellis (1937–2012) – lead singer
- Dennis Harris – guitar
- Norman Harris (1947–1987) – guitar, vocals
- John Hart (1941–2008) – organist
- Reuben Henderson – saxophone
- Rusty Jackmon – bass guitar
- Fred Joiner – trombone
- Gene Jones (also known as Gene Faith) – original lead vocalist
- Steve Kelly – vocals
- Ron Kersey (1945–2005) – keyboards
- Barrington McDonald (1942–2007) – guitarist
- Cubby St Charles – vocals
- Roger Stevens – trumpet
- Michael Thompson – drums (until 1995)
- Robert Upchurch – vocals
- Harold "Doc" Wade – guitar, vocals
- Stanley Wade (deceased 2021) – bass, vocals
- Harold Watkins – trombone
- Priestly Williams – trumpet
- Earl Young (born 1940) – drums, vocals
Later members
- Jerry Collins – vocals
- Jimmy Wells – lead vocals
- Van Fields – vocals
- Lafayette Gamble – vocals
- Michael Natalini – drums
Stan & Doc Wade & Robert Upchurch Trammps (original) current touring lineup
- Ed Cermanski – keyboards
- Harold "Doc" Wade – vocals
- Robert Upchurch – vocals
- Jimmy Wells – vocals
- Lafayette Gamble – vocals
- Van Fields – vocals
- Sheppie Fitts – drums
- Rusty Stone – bass guitar
- David Rue – guitar
- AC King – saxophone
- Carmen Tornambe – trumpet
Discography
- Trammps (1975)
- The Legendary Zing Album (1975)
- Where the Happy People Go (1976)
- Disco Inferno (1976)
- The Trammps III (1977)
- The Whole World's Dancing (1979)
- Mixin' It Up (1980)
- Slipping Out (1980)
- This One Is for the Party (1984)
See also
- List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
- Ron Kersey, former member and songwriter of the band
- "Hate It or Love It", a single by The Game that samples "Rubber Band"