Champaign (band)
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| Champaign | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Champaign, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soft rock |
| Years active | 1981–1984, 1990–present |
| Past members | |
| Pauli Carman Rena Day Michael Day Dana Walden Michael Reed Rocky Maffitt Howard Reeder |
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Champaign was a 1980s United States R&B band with adult contemporary leanings, best known for their 1981 hit, "How 'Bout Us."
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[edit] Career
The mixed-race septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones (later Day) on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Leon Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffitt on percussion/drums. The title track from their 1981 album, How 'Bout Us, was a hit single, reaching #5 in the UK Singles Chart,[1] and on the US Billboard R&B chart (also #12 US Billboard Hot 100). Their second album, Modern Heart, was released in 1983 and contained the Top 10 R&B track "Try Again" (also #23 US Pop). Another follow-up, 1984's Woman in Flames, included the Top 10 R&B song "Off and On Love." Other songs include "Party People" and "Walkin'".
In the mid 1980s Carman left the band to begin a solo career. He released his first solo album, Dial My Number in 1986, scoring an R&B hit with the title track. His second album, It's Time was released the following year. This follow-up effort proved less successful. In 1990, Champaign (including Carman) reconvened to record, and the Champaign IV album was released the following year. While it was not a hit, it did herald a brief return to the US R&B chart with the single, "Trials of the Heart."
Former band member Michael Day died of cancer in 2001.
In 2003, a greatest hits compilation album was released that included most of the group's hits, though several (most notably "Try Again") were absent.
By 2008, Pauli Carman, the original lead singer, continued to represent the group. The Carma album, released in 2008, included original songs along with a remake of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" and the Stevie Wonder track "I Love, I Love". In 2010, Get Back 2 Love was released (included a remaster of "How 'Bout Us"). The title track "Get Back 2 Love" made reference to Champaign's top hits. The same year the single "Mercy" was released (a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit "Mercy Mercy Me)". This single was to assist those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of the proceeds was donated to various agencies assisting with the clean up and restoration in the area.
In November 2010, Carman produced The Pauli Carman Show (a television pilot online show). In 2011, the single "Share"[2] was released, with the attendant album, 'The Kind', to be released in 2012.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- 1981: How Bout Us?
- 1983: Modern Heart
- 1984: Woman in Flames
- 1991: Champaign IV
- 2008: "Carma"
- 2010: "Get Back 2 Love"
[edit] Compilation albums
- 2003: Greatest Hits
[edit] References
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 99. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Amazon.com
[edit] External links
- Champaign — official website
- Champaign (band) at Allmusic
- Rock'n Roll Star at MusicBrainz
