The Unifics
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Al Johnson, Robert Hayes, George Roland, Marvin Brown, Thomas Fauntleroy |
| Defunct | 1972 (initial disbandment) |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Soul music recordings |
The Unifics were a soul ensemble originating from Washington, D.C. in the United States.
History
The group began in 1966 when a collection of students at Howard University in Washington D.C. formed a band called Al & the Vikings. This lineup included singer and songwriter Al Johnson, Robert Hayes, George Roland, Marvin Brown, and Thomas Fauntleroy. Shortly thereafter, they adopted the name the Unique Five before finally settling on the Unifics. They became recognized for their polished vocal harmonies and unique stage presentation, which featured signature white gloves and strobe lighting effects, helping them establish a devoted local fan base and attract broader recognition.
With Johnson as the lead vocalist, the Unifics secured three entries on the Billboard Hot 100 charts between 1968 and 1969 during their time with Kapp Records. Their first single, "Court of Love," climbed to #25 on the Hot 100 and reached #3 on the R&B chart. The next release, "The Beginning of My End," attained #36 on the Hot 100 and #9 on the R&B listings. They issued two more singles in 1969 that also appeared on R&B charts. Their initial album was launched in 1968.
For the original album recording, Michael Ward and Hal Worthington took over from Marvin Brown and Thomas Fauntleroy but exited the group in 1970. Brown and Fauntleroy briefly returned before the band ultimately dissolved in 1972.
In 2005, Johnson and Fauntleroy brought back the Unifics, adding Newport News vocalists Charlie Lockhart and Garrett Hall to complete the ensemble. They independently released Unifics Return, marking their first album release in over thirty years, with Marvin Brown stepping in for Hall.
During the 1980s, Al Johnson embarked on a solo path, collaborating with notable artists such as Norman Connors, Jean Carn, and The Whispers. He died on October 26, 2013, at age 65.
After Johnson’s passing, Fauntleroy ceased performing to focus on managing and choreography before retiring completely. Subsequently, the group introduced a refreshed lineup including Hall, Lockhart, tenor Ned Harris, and baritone Bruce Justice.
Greg Cook passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 8, 2023, aged 72.
Albums
- Sittin' in at the Court of Love (Kapp Records, 1968)
- Unifics Return (Somodo Records, 2005)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B | CAN | ||
| 1968 | "Court of Love" | 25 | 3 | 13 |
| 1969 | "The Beginning of My End" | 36 | 9 | 44 |
| "It's a Groovy World!" | 97 | 27 | 88 | |
| "Toshisumasu" | — | 36 | — | |
A dash ("—") indicates singles that did not chart.