Midnight Star
Midnight Star was formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University by the Calloway brothers, trumpeter Reginald and trombone player Vincent, with vocalist Belinda Lipscomb.
As the various members graduated, the group wishing to expand and broaden their fan base, relocated to Cincinatti, Ohio. The group now included Melvin and Boaz Watson as vocalists, Jeffrey Cooper on guitar and keyboards, Kenneth Gant on vocals and bass, Bobby Lovelace on drums, and William Simmons on percussion, sax and keyboards.
In search of an illusive recording contract the group made a move to the West Coast in the late 1970's. While in the L.A. area the group made the local rounds of all the R&B clubs.
On the strength of these club appearances they landed a contract with RCA Records. This resulted in their first album "The Beginning" released in 1980.
They came to the attention of Dick Griffey, label head of SOLAR Records. He signed them in 1981 and work began on their first album for their new label.
1982's "Victory" came close to breaking them as a hit act. The title cut and "Hot Spot" both released as 12" singles charted. The group found its niche with their third album "No Parking On The Dance Floor." The first 12" single was the hit "Freak-A-Zoid," and the second single was "Wet My Whistle." The title track was their third chart hit from the album and established them as a club favourite. All three singles went top 40 on the R&B charts.
Midnight Star made their mark with their sci-fi instrumentation and aggressive dance numbers. Their fourth album, 1984's "Planetary Invasion," spawned three singles - "Operator", "Scientific Love" and "Body Snatchers".
The chart success of this album was credited to the production work of Reggie Calloway, the nucleus of the group, who was concurrently producing and writing songs for The Deele and Klymaxx. He and his brother would go on to write and produce number one hits for Natalie Cole, Levert, Teddy Pendegrass, Glady Knight and countless others.
1986's "Headlines" was the final hit album for Midnight Star before the Calloway brothers departed. They had reached their peak and cranked out three solid R&B hits, among them the title track, "Midas Touch" and "Engine No.9".
The group released an album titled "Midnight Star" in 1987 and then disbanded shortly after the release of their 1990 album "Work It Out".
Albums
The Beginning (1980)
Victory (1982)
No Parking On The Dance Floor (1983)
Planetary Invasion (1984)
Headlines (1986)
Midnight Star (1987)
Work It Out (1990)
Tracks currently playing/played on the station
Playmates (Album: No Parking On The Dancefloor)
Feel so good (Album: No Parking On The Dancefloor)
Curious (Album: Planetary Invasion)
Scientific love (Album: Planetary Invasion)
Operator (Album: Planetary Invasion)
Engine No 9 (Album: Headlines)
Midas Touch (Extended Version) (Album: Headlines)
Don't wanna be lonely (Album: Midnight Star)
soul2soul favourites/recommended
Feel so good (Album: No Parking On The Dancefloor)
Wet my whistle (Album: No Parking On The Dancefloor)
Curious (Album: Planetary Invasion)
Scientific love (Album: Planetary Invasion)
Engine No 9 (Album: Headlines)
Dead end (Album: Headlines)
Don't wanna be lonely (Album: Midnight Star)
Midnight Star Album info
More info on Midnight Star