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{{Infobox musical artist
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|name = Zapp
|image = Zapp band with Roger Troutman.jpg
|caption = Zapp band with Roger Troutman (centre second row)
|background = group_or_band
|years_active = 1977 - 1999, 2003 - present <small>(tour only)
|origin = [[Hamilton, Ohio|Hamilton]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]]
|genre = [[Funk music|Funk]]
|website = [http://www.thezappband.com www.thezappband.com]
|label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] <small>(1980 - 2000)</small><br/>Zapp Town Records <small>(2003 - present)</small>
|current_members = Lester Troutman<br/>Terry "Zapp" Troutman<br/>[[Gregory Jackson (singer/songwriter)|Gregory Jackson]]
|past_members = [[Roger Troutman]] (deceased)<br/>[[Larry Troutman]] (deceased)
|associated_acts =
}}
'''Zapp''' (also known as the '''Zapp Band''' or '''Zapp and Roger''') is a [[funk]] band that emerged from [[Hamilton, Ohio]], in 1977. Particularly influential in the [[Electro (music)|electro]] sub-genre of funk. Zapp served as partial inspiration toward the creation of the [[G-funk]] sound of [[hip-hop]] popular on the West Coast of the United States in the early to mid 1990s, with many of their songs sampled by numerous hip-hop artists. The original line-up consisted of four brothers—[[Roger Troutman]], [[Larry Troutman]], Lester Troutman and Terry Troutman—and non-Troutman family members Bobby Glover and Gregory Jackson. The group received attention in the early 1980s for implementing heavy use of the [[talk-box]], which became one of their most well known characteristics. Zapp worked closely with members [[George Clinton (musician)|George Clinton]] and [[Bootsy Collins]] of the band [[Parliament-Funkadelic]] during its early stages, their support being a factor in the group gaining a record deal with [[Warner Bros. Records]] in 1979. Zapp released its [[Zapp (album)|eponymous debut album]] in 1980, having a [[P-funk]] reminiscent sound as a result of Clinton's and Collin's input on the production. Zapp achieved most of its mainstream recognition from the single "[[More Bounce to the Ounce]]" from the same album, now widely regarded as a classic example of early 1980s electronic funk. The following year in 1981, Clinton stopped producing the band over a record dispute regarding Roger Troutman's solo debut. Zapp continued to produce several more albums thereafter, releasing ''[[Zapp II]]'' in 1982. The album's musical style veered drastically away from their first release, despite this, the album sold well, and was certified [[Gold record|gold]] by late 1982.


Zapp disbanded in 1999 after both Roger and Larry Troutman were killed in a [[murder-suicide]], that was apparently carried out by Larry. Roger was shot several times before dying in hospital during surgery. Larry's body was found close-by in his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head. The motive behind Larry's attack is unclear, but there are speculations that were arguments over money, and Larry being angry over the lack of consultation Roger had gave as to why he fired him from being his manager. Zapp reformed briefly in 2003 with the remaining brothers of the Troutman family to produce the album ''[[Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand]]''. Zapp currently tours only around small scale concerts in the [[United States]].
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#*** "Produced in 1992, it never aired because tests showed several unintended negative effects." '''good''' (Notability is established ([[WP:BETTER]]))
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==Career==
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===1966–80: Early career and major record deal===
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Born on November 29, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio,<ref name="p. 281">''Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One''. (1996). p. 281</ref> Roger Troutman began recording music in the late to mid 1960s, issuing his first solo recording efforts "Jolly Roger" and "Night Time"<ref>{{cite web|title="Lil" Roger And His Fabulous Vels - Jolly Roger / Night Time Images|url=http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=3169461|publisher=discogs|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref> on the obscure and now defunct Ohio label, Teen Records<ref>{{cite web|title=Teen Records [Ohio]|url=http://www.45cat.com/label/teen-records-ohio|publisher=45cat|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref> in 1966 under the band name 'Lil' Roger and His Fabulous Vels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Independent Record Labels Of Ohio|url=http://www.45rpmrecords.com/OH/Teen.php|publisher=45rpmrecords|accessdate=February 13, 2014}}</ref> Although neither song received recognition due to its very limited release, Troutman and brothers pursued their music career throughout the 1970s, forming Roger & The Human Body in 1976, on their privately owned label Troutman Bros. Records.<ref>{{cite web|title=Troutman Bros. Records|url=http://www.45rpmrecords.com/OH/Troutman%20Bros.php|publisher=45rpmrecords|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref> Their own label allowed Troutman and the band to give a slightly wider and more high profile release of their own music, issuing their first (and only) album ''Introducing Roger'' in 1976.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger And The Human Body – Introducing Roger|url=http://www.discogs.com/Roger-And-The-Human-Body-Introducing-Roger/master/533464|publisher=discogs|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Roger and Zapp performing.jpg|thumbnail|Roger and Zapp performing, ca.1980]]
In the late 1970s Roger Troutman continued to record with his brothers, losing the name Roger & The Human Body and adopting the Zapp nickname from his brother Tony in 1977.<ref name="pp. 333-334">''Third Ear - Funk'' (2001). pp. 333-334</ref> The group searching for recognition, began playing at various small venues locally around Ohio. The Troutman family had long standing friendships with Ohio natives [[Phelps "Catfish" Collins]] and [[Bootsy Collins|William Earl "Bootsy" Collins]],<ref name="pp. 333-334" /> who had both been involved with [[Parliament-Funkadelic]] in the early 1970s. Phelps and Bootsy were attendees at a performance, and were impressed with Zapp's musical abilities, prompting Bootsy to invite Roger to the United Sound Studios in Detroit (the P-Funk studio base) which was frequently used by Parliament-Funkadelic.<ref name="p. 334">''Third Ear - Funk'' (2001). p. 334</ref> Roger Troutman subsequently wrote and recorded the demo for "[[More Bounce to the Ounce]]" in 1978.<ref name="p. 334" /> [[George Clinton (musician)|George Clinton]], the leader of Funkadelic liked the recording and encouraged Troutman to present the demo to [[Warner Bros. Records]].<ref name="p. 334" /> Warner Bros. signed Zapp in early 1979, and on July 28, 1980, Zapp released their [[Zapp (album)|debut album]], which was recorded by Roger and produced by Bootsy between 1979 and early 1980 at the United Sound Studios in Detroit, their first recording on a major label. The album's sound, which is highly influenced by Parliament-Funkadelic, contrasts largely with Zapp's later releases. "More Bounce to the Ounce" reached number two on the [[Billboard R&B chart|Billboard Hot R&B tracks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/roger-troutman-mn0000305501 |title=Roger Troutman |at=para.2 |last1=Hogan |first1=Ed |date= January 17, 2014 |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref> for two weeks during the autumn of 1980. By November 18, 1980, ''Zapp'' had been certified gold by the [[RIAA]].<ref name="RIAA">[http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Zapp%22 RIAA Gold & Platinum Database]. Retrieved 2014-18-01.</ref>


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|source = - Bootsy Collins remembering Clinton's influence toward creating the song 'More Bounce To The Ounce'
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===1980–81: Split with George Clinton and other workings===
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After the 1980 release of Zapp's debut album, tensions rose between Roger Troutman and George Clinton. Troutman's solo album ''[[The Many Facets of Roger]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger – The Many Facets Of Roger|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-many-facets-of-roger-mw0000212101|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=February 13, 2014}}</ref> was primarily funded by Clinton, through CBS, and was slated to be released on his own [[Uncle Jam Records]] label.<ref name="p. 334" /> By early 1980s, Clinton and his musical projects were a midst financial troubles due to his poor management skills and shifting tastes in music.<ref name="pp. 248-249">''Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One''. (1996). pp. 248-249</ref> Around the time of Troutman's to be released debut, Warner Bros. Records dropped Clinton from their label,<ref name="p. 271">''Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One''. (1996). p. 271</ref> and quietly released ''[[The Electric Spanking of War Babies]]'' which Troutman had worked briefly on,<ref name="p. 334" /> in early 1981 without much impact.


Troutman, seeing the disarray that was surrounding Clinton at the time, accepted Warner Bros. offer of more money for the demo recordings of his album. The move resulted in a bitter severing of partnerships between Clinton and Troutman, and with Clinton's departure, Troutman was left to exercise virtually full creative control over the band's later work. In Clinton's biography ''George Clinton: For the Record'', Troutman was quoted commenting on the situation with a blasé attitude, "... Heck gee-willickers, Warner Bros. offered me mo' money".<ref name="p. 334" /> In response, Clinton remarked, "CBS paid for it, I paid for it. I don't like to go into it on the negative side, but it cost about 5 million [dollars], and a lot of people's jobs and what we consider as the empire falling".<ref name="p. 334" /> The loss of money that resulted from the actions of Troutman, is credited as one of the factors that disassembled both Clinton's and Funkadelic's musical careers.<ref name="p. 334" /> ''The Many Facets of Roger'' was eventually released in late 1981 on Warner Bros.
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===1982–85: Style change and gradual decline===
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Zapp released its sophomore album, ''[[Zapp II]]'', on October 14, 1983. It focused on more of an electronic orientated sound, containing greater use of the talk-box that is often considered Troutman's trademark. Despite the contrasting styles between the first and the second albums, ''Zapp II'' attained gold status by September 21, 1982.<ref name=RIAA>certification</ref> The album fared almost as well as Zapp's debut, peaking at number two on the Billboard R&B chart, and reaching 25 on The Billboard 200 Albums chart. The single "Dancefloor (Part I)" peaked at number one on the R&B singles chart of 1982.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapp II Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/zapp-ii-mw0000199209/awards|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130618132238/http://www.allmusic.com/album/zapp-ii-mw0000199209/awards|archivedate=July 18, 2013|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref>
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Zapp spawned several more albums in close succession within the 1980s, retaining the heavily electronic style that ''Zapp II'' had adopted. ''[[Zapp III]]'' was released in 1983, but it did not reach the same chart positions as Zapp's previous efforts. While still gaining a gold certification,<ref name="RIAA">certification</ref> it only peaked at 39 on the Billboard 200 and nine on the R&B chart.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapp III Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/zapp-iii-mw0000738540/awards|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130520051411/http://www.allmusic.com/album/zapp-iii-mw0000738540/awards|archivedate=May 20, 2013|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref> ''<nowiki>Zapp III'</nowiki>''s poorer commercial performance became a sign that the band's popularity and impact were beginning to decline toward the mid 1980s, with post-disco music falling out of trend. By the release of ''[[Zapp IV]]'' on October 25, 1985, Zapp's popularity declined more.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapp IV Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-new-zapp-iv-u-mw0000199937/awards|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130618083916/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-new-zapp-iv-u-mw0000199937/awards|archivedate=June 18, 2013|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}</ref> The album gained gold status,<ref name="RIAA">certification</ref> but only in 1995, a decade after its initial release. Zapp's presence began to fade in the latter half of the 1980s, and Troutman's attention was focused on his solo career. The final release by Zapp before Troutman's death was ''[[Zapp V]]'', on September 12, 1989, which met with moderate commercial success and failed to receive an RIAA certification.
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===1993–96: Resurgence and brief increase in popularity===
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The growing and increasingly dominant West Coast hip-hop scene of the early to mid 1990s brought Zapp and Roger back into the spotlight for a brief amount of time as many hip-hop acts began favoring Zapp's material as a source for sampling in their own music. By 1994, Zapp's compilation album ''All the Greatest Hits'' was certified platinum,<ref name=RIAA>certification</ref> making it one of their highest selling albums to date. Troutman gained recognition for providing talk-box backing vocals for both the original and remixed version of [[Tupac Shakur]]'s 1995-96 comeback single "[[California Love]]"; the alternate version of the music video features Troutman playing the keyboard and talk-box during a party. Roger's involvement in "California Love" awarded him a Grammy nomination for "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group" in 1997.<ref name="p. 334" /><ref>{{cite web|title=39th Grammy Awards - 1997 (held February 26, 1997)
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===1996–present: Deaths of Roger and Larry Troutman, disbandment, and current activity===
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On Sunday morning, April 25, 1999, Roger Troutman was fatally wounded as a result of an apparent murder-suicide that was orchestrated by his older brother, Larry. Roger was shot several times in the torso by Larry as he exited a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio. Roger was taken to [[Good Samaritan Hospital (Dayton)|Good Samaritan Hospital]], but died shortly after.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapp's Roger And Larry Troutman Killed In Apparent Murder-Suicide|date=April 26, 1999|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433975/zapps-roger-larry-troutman-killed-apparent-murder-suicide.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref> Larry's body was found in a car a short distance away from the murder scene. There were no witnesses at the time, and Larry's motive for the murder of Roger remains unclear, however, there were increasingly large troubles over money surrounding Larry who managed the family run housing company, Troutman Enterprises. The business filed for [[chapter 11 bankruptcy]], owing $400,000 in delinquent taxes.<ref name="p. 334" /> Larry was also possibly angry over Roger firing him as manager for his music career, of which Larry had been for several years.


After Troutman's death, [[Ice Cube]] said that "More Bounce To The Ounce" introduced him to hip-hop. "I was in the sixth grade, we'd stayed after school. We had this dude named Mr. Lock, and he used to bring in his radio with these pop-lockers. He used to teach [the dance group] the L.A. Lockers, and he would do community service in after-school programs. He knew a lot of kids and introduced them to all the new dances, he put on that song 'More Bounce', and they started pop-locking. And I think from that visual, from seeing that, it was my first introduction into hip-hop. Period. I didn't know nothing about nothing. I hadn't heard "[[Rapper's Delight]]" yet. It was the first thing that was really fly to me. They started dancing, and since 'More Bounce' goes on forever, they just got down. I just think that was a rush of adrenaline for me, like a chemical reaction in my brain."<ref>{{cite web|title=California Loved|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/2002-08-14/news/california-loved/|work=Sfweekly|last1=Williams|first1=P-Frank|date=August 14, 2002|at= para.2-3|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref> During Roger's funeral, his nephew Clet Troutman performed a talk-box rendition of "[[Amazing Grace]]". Roger is survived by his five sons and daughters, his sixth son Roger Lynch Troutman Jr. died of head injuries several years after the murder of Roger, (January 31, 1970 – January 22, 2003).<ref>{{cite web|title=Remembering Roger Troutman, Jr. in Minneapolis|last=Scholtes|first=Peter|date=May 6, 2003|url=http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/2003/05/remembering_roger_troutman_jr.php |at=para.4|work=Citypages|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref>
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The resulting impact of Roger and Larry's deaths left the band stranded, halting production. Without Roger serving as the creative source, they effectively disbanded, and quietly left the music industry altogether. Warner Bros. Records eventually dropped the band from their label, bringing the professional recording career of Zapp to a close. A few years later, Zapp resurfaced for a short period after the establishment of its own independent label, Zapp Town Records,<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapp Town Records|url=http://www.discogs.com/label/149097-Zapp-Town|publisher=discogs|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref> managed by the Troutman family. The label released its only album, ''[[Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand]]'', in 2003. Zapp returned to performing only in live concert, touring across the U.S. at various small scale venues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapp tour schedule|url=http://www.thezappband.com/#!schedule-and-results/c1x9v|work=Zapp official website|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref>
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==Personnel==
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The main list of members of Zapp are featured here including those who joined the band either as additional members or touring members:


===Original lineup===
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*[[Roger Troutman]]: vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, harmonica, vibraphone, percussion, [[talk box]]
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*[[Larry Troutman]]: percussion
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*Lester Troutman: drums
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*Terry Troutman: keyboards, bass, background vocals
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*Greg Jackson: Keyboards, Lead and Background vocals
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===Other members===
<big>'''2: Verifiable with no original research'''</big>
*Bobby Glover
*'''a.''' Has an [[Wikipedia:LAYOUT#Standard_appendices_and_footers|appropriate reference section]]: {{GAList/check|y}} '''Yes'''
*Eddie Barber
*'''b.''' Citation to reliable sources [[Wikipedia:Good article criteria/where necessary|where necessary]]: {{GAList/check|y}} '''excellent''' Thorough check using Google.
*Jannetta Boyce
*Robert Jones
*Jerome Derrickson
*Sherman Fleetwood
*[[Gregory Jackson (singer/songwriter)|Gregory Jackson]] (Original and Current Member)
*Michael Warren
*[[Shirley Murdock]]
*Nicole Cottom
*Dale DeGroat
*Bart Thomas
*Ricardo Bray
*Bigg Robb (from the early/mid 1990s - 2009)
*Rhonda Stevens
*[[Ray Davis (musician)|Ray Davis]]
*Roger Troutman Jr. (died of head injury in 2003)
*Thomas Troutman
*Rufus Troutman III
*Davis Brown (sound man)
*Wanda Rash (vocalist)


* Toika Troutman (vocalist)
{{cot|reason='''[[WP:RS]]:''' {{GAList/check|y}}}} {{done}}
* Marchelle Smith (vocalist)
==Discography==


===Studio albums===
'''Check for [[WP:RS]]:''' {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}
*1980: ''[[Zapp (album)|Zapp]]''
*1982: ''[[Zapp II]]''
*1983: ''[[Zapp III]]''
*1985: ''[[Zapp IV]]''
*1989: ''[[Zapp V]]''
*2002: ''[[Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand]]''


===Compilation albums===
# Check for ''the material'' ([[WP:RSVETTING]]): {{GAList/check|y}} ('''contentious''') {{done}}
*1993: ''Zapp & Roger: All The Greatest Hits''
#* Is it contentious?: {{GAList/check|y}} '''Yes'''
*1996: ''Roger & Zapp: Greatest Hits Vol. 2 & More''
#* Does the ref indeed support the material?: {{GAList/check|y}}
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#** Borgenicht, David. ([[Hyperion Books|New York: Hyperion Publishing]])
#** Davis, Michael. ([[Viking Press|New York: Viking Penguin]])
#** Gikow, Louise A. ([[Workman Publishing Company|New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers]])
#** Morrow, Robert W. ([[Johns Hopkins University Press|Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press]])
#** Truglio, Rosemary T. et al. ([[Taylor & Francis|Mahweh, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers]])
#** Guernsey, Lisa ([[Newsweek]])
#** Muriel, Cohen ([[The Boston Globe]]).
#** Alaton, Salam ([[Thomson Corporation|The Globe and Mail (Thomson Group)]])
#** ([[The Herald Sun]])
#** Newman, Richard J. ([[U.S. News & World Report]])
#** Hanes, Stephanie ([[The Christian Science Monitor]])
#** The Advertiser ([[News Corporation]])
#** Hartford, Courant ([[The Gazette (Montreal)]])
#** Dawidziak, Mark ([[The Plain Dealer|Cleveland Plain Dealer]])
#** Walters, Laurel Shaper ([[The Christian Science Monitor]])
#** West, Abby ([[Entertainment Weekly]])
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#* [[Hyperion Books|New York: Hyperion Publishing]]
#* [[Viking Press|New York: Viking Penguin]]
#* [[Workman Publishing Company|New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers]]
#* [[Johns Hopkins University Press|Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press]]
#* [[Taylor & Francis|Mahweh, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers]]
#* [[Newsweek]]
#* [[The Boston Globe]]
#* [[Thomson Corporation|The Globe and Mail (Thomson Group)]]
#* [[The Herald Sun]]
#* [[U.S. News & World Report]]
#* [[The Christian Science Monitor]]
#* [[News Corporation]]
#* [[The Gazette (Montreal)]]
#* [[The Plain Dealer|Cleveland Plain Dealer]]
#* [[The Christian Science Monitor]]
#* [[Entertainment Weekly]]
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==Notes==
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{{reflist|2}}


==References==
'''Check for inline citations [[WP:MINREF]]:''' {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}
*Thompson, Dave (2001). ''Third Ear - Funk''. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0879306297.
*Vincent, Rickey (1996). ''Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One''. United States of America: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312134990.


==External links==
# Check for ''Direct quotations'': {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}
*[http://www.thezappband.com Official Zapp Website]
#* "listening to the voices of children and by putting their needs first",[1]
*http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/rogerandzappuk&date=2009-10-26+01:46:56 Roger Troutman and Zapp fansite
#* "extensive research and planning".[4]
*[http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=198484248 Terry "Zapp" Troutman's Myspace Profile]
#* "poignant",[8]
*[http://www.gregjacksoninc.com Gregory Jackson]
#* "Davis called it "a landmark broadcast"[9]
*[http://www.soulandfunkmusic.com/component/option,com_musicdb/Itemid,39/include,zoeknew.php/artistid,12244389080/table,artist/lang,us/years,80s/order,DESC/orderon,year/ http://www.soulandfunkmusic.com]
#* "a truly memorable episode, one of the show's best".[10]
*http://www.soultracks.com/zapp_and_roger.htm - Biography of Zapp and Roger at SoulTracks
#* "My two projects for this year are drugs and divorce. Divorce is a difficult one. Perhaps we could do it with puppets. I am also writing a script on drugs and peer pressure".[15]
*http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Zapp.html
#* "divorce is a middle-class thing," ... [16]
*http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/zapp.htm
#* "We were really nervous about the show, and we didn't think it was a shoo-in. When you're dealing with something like death, the approach can be universal. But with divorce, it's so personal. People react differently."[17] (Random check on source 17, inaccessible, check on Google, query source "'D' Won't Do for Divorce.", 0 results, query quote "But with divorce, it's so personal. People react differently", 10 results, this quote is used in another RS ([[The Baltimore Sun]], title: After preview, 'Sesame Street' cancels a show on divorce) in the context of 'Sesame Street', so check is roughly ''successful'' )
*http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/rogerandzapp/ Yahoo group for Roger Troutman and Zapp
#* "We hope to get to it by the end of the season. It always takes us a while to figure out how to do an issue appropriately, from a child's point of view".[20]
*[http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=144117 Thomas Troutman Releases Album on DSN Music]
#* "Now we delve into things like divorce that are likely to affect small children very heavily. We didn't touch those things before".[22]
*{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5901|label=Zapp}}
#* "about how Snuffy will have good homes, and so on and so on".[19]
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEN1KEHp5mA New Zapp Music video featuring Thomas Troutman
#* "it bombed".[19]
#* "The kids came away with negative messages ... The kids misunderstood arguments. They said arguments did mean divorce. Some thought Snuffy's parents were moving away even though we said just the opposite. A number said the parents would no longer be in love with them".[17]
#* "They wrote a whole show and taped it, and it was just devastating for test groups of kids. So they just threw the whole thing in the garbage and never tried it again. It was just too difficult a concept for a 3-year-old".[23]
#* "back to the drawing board" ... [25]
#* "We ate the cost and never aired it. We feel there are a range of issues that we can deal with in the family that do not go to the extreme of divorce".[25]
#* "listening to the voices of children and by putting their needs first",[1]
# Check for ''Likely to be challenged'': {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}
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{{P-Funk}}
*'''c.''' [[Wikipedia:No original research|No original research]]: {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Zapp}}
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[[Category:African-American musical groups]]

[[Category:American dance music groups]]
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[[Category:American funk musical groups]]
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[[Category:Musical groups from Dayton, Ohio]]
# Check for ''original images'' ([[WP:OI]]): {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}
[[Category:Warner Bros. Records artists]]
{{cob}}
[[Category:P-Funk groups]]


<big>'''3: Broad in its coverage'''</big>

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<big>'''4: Neutral'''</big>

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<big>'''5: Stable:'''</big> No [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|edit wars]], etc: {{GAList/check|y}} '''Yes'''

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'''6:''' Images are [[Wikipedia:Copyright tags|tagged]] with their [[Wikipedia:Copyright FAQ|copyright status]], and [[Wikipedia:Non-free use rationale guideline|valid fair use rationales]] are provided for [[Wikipedia:Non-free content|non-free content]]: {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}}

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#* Lead Image (Snuffy31.jpg): This image is a screenshot of a copyrighted television program or station ID. As such, the copyright for it is most likely owned by the company or corporation that produced it. It is believed that the use of a limited number of web-resolution screenshots (1) for '''identification and critical commentary on the station ID or program and its contents''', and (2) on the English-language Wikipedia, hosted on servers in the United States by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation, qualifies as '''fair use''' under United States copyright law. Other use of this image, on Wikipedia or elsewhere, might be copyright infringement.
# Check for ''copyright status'': {{GAList/check|y}} {{done}} ('''Non-free content''')
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#* Source ([[WP:NFCC#4]]): Screenshot from the TV show
#* Use in article ([[WP:NFCC#7]]): Aloysius Snuffleupagus
#* Purpose of use in article ([[WP:NFCC#8]]): To '''illustrate the character'''.
#* Replaceable?: Since he is a copyrighted character, there are no free alternatives available.

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#* Caption - The Muppet Mr. Snuffleupagus ("Snuffy"). '''succinct and informative'''
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As per the above checklist, the issues identified are:
* The major point ''Legacy'' in the lead is ''not'' a concise summary of the ''Legacy'' section in the body.
* The lead does not give ''relative emphasis'' to the major point ''Legacy'' as is given in the body.
* Can you please check once more that the inline citations are '''correctly placed''' against the content they cite, because the sources are inaccessible to me?

This article is a very promising GA nominee. I'm delighted to see your work here. I'm putting the article on hold. All the best!

Revision as of 11:09, 17 February 2014

Zapp
Zapp band with Roger Troutman (centre second row)
Zapp band with Roger Troutman (centre second row)
Background information
OriginHamilton, Ohio, United States
GenresFunk
Years active1977 - 1999, 2003 - present (tour only)
LabelsWarner Bros. (1980 - 2000)
Zapp Town Records (2003 - present)
MembersLester Troutman
Terry "Zapp" Troutman
Gregory Jackson
Past membersRoger Troutman (deceased)
Larry Troutman (deceased)
Websitewww.thezappband.com

Zapp (also known as the Zapp Band or Zapp and Roger) is a funk band that emerged from Hamilton, Ohio, in 1977. Particularly influential in the electro sub-genre of funk. Zapp served as partial inspiration toward the creation of the G-funk sound of hip-hop popular on the West Coast of the United States in the early to mid 1990s, with many of their songs sampled by numerous hip-hop artists. The original line-up consisted of four brothers—Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Lester Troutman and Terry Troutman—and non-Troutman family members Bobby Glover and Gregory Jackson. The group received attention in the early 1980s for implementing heavy use of the talk-box, which became one of their most well known characteristics. Zapp worked closely with members George Clinton and Bootsy Collins of the band Parliament-Funkadelic during its early stages, their support being a factor in the group gaining a record deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1979. Zapp released its eponymous debut album in 1980, having a P-funk reminiscent sound as a result of Clinton's and Collin's input on the production. Zapp achieved most of its mainstream recognition from the single "More Bounce to the Ounce" from the same album, now widely regarded as a classic example of early 1980s electronic funk. The following year in 1981, Clinton stopped producing the band over a record dispute regarding Roger Troutman's solo debut. Zapp continued to produce several more albums thereafter, releasing Zapp II in 1982. The album's musical style veered drastically away from their first release, despite this, the album sold well, and was certified gold by late 1982.

Zapp disbanded in 1999 after both Roger and Larry Troutman were killed in a murder-suicide, that was apparently carried out by Larry. Roger was shot several times before dying in hospital during surgery. Larry's body was found close-by in his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head. The motive behind Larry's attack is unclear, but there are speculations that were arguments over money, and Larry being angry over the lack of consultation Roger had gave as to why he fired him from being his manager. Zapp reformed briefly in 2003 with the remaining brothers of the Troutman family to produce the album Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand. Zapp currently tours only around small scale concerts in the United States.

Career

1966–80: Early career and major record deal

Born on November 29, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio,[1] Roger Troutman began recording music in the late to mid 1960s, issuing his first solo recording efforts "Jolly Roger" and "Night Time"[2] on the obscure and now defunct Ohio label, Teen Records[3] in 1966 under the band name 'Lil' Roger and His Fabulous Vels.[4] Although neither song received recognition due to its very limited release, Troutman and brothers pursued their music career throughout the 1970s, forming Roger & The Human Body in 1976, on their privately owned label Troutman Bros. Records.[5] Their own label allowed Troutman and the band to give a slightly wider and more high profile release of their own music, issuing their first (and only) album Introducing Roger in 1976.[6]

Roger and Zapp performing, ca.1980

In the late 1970s Roger Troutman continued to record with his brothers, losing the name Roger & The Human Body and adopting the Zapp nickname from his brother Tony in 1977.[7] The group searching for recognition, began playing at various small venues locally around Ohio. The Troutman family had long standing friendships with Ohio natives Phelps "Catfish" Collins and William Earl "Bootsy" Collins,[7] who had both been involved with Parliament-Funkadelic in the early 1970s. Phelps and Bootsy were attendees at a performance, and were impressed with Zapp's musical abilities, prompting Bootsy to invite Roger to the United Sound Studios in Detroit (the P-Funk studio base) which was frequently used by Parliament-Funkadelic.[8] Roger Troutman subsequently wrote and recorded the demo for "More Bounce to the Ounce" in 1978.[8] George Clinton, the leader of Funkadelic liked the recording and encouraged Troutman to present the demo to Warner Bros. Records.[8] Warner Bros. signed Zapp in early 1979, and on July 28, 1980, Zapp released their debut album, which was recorded by Roger and produced by Bootsy between 1979 and early 1980 at the United Sound Studios in Detroit, their first recording on a major label. The album's sound, which is highly influenced by Parliament-Funkadelic, contrasts largely with Zapp's later releases. "More Bounce to the Ounce" reached number two on the Billboard Hot R&B tracks[9] for two weeks during the autumn of 1980. By November 18, 1980, Zapp had been certified gold by the RIAA.[10]

"George Clinton just happened to step into the studio this night and he really liked this one part that we had already re-did on 'Funky Bounce'. He advised us to loop that section and put the other talk-box parts over it. At that time, this was considered a genius act, because you had to actually cut the tape and make the right cut, line it up and loop it. So let us not forget that Dr. Funkenstein was way ahead of his time as well."

- Bootsy Collins remembering Clinton's influence toward creating the song 'More Bounce To The Ounce'

1980–81: Split with George Clinton and other workings

After the 1980 release of Zapp's debut album, tensions rose between Roger Troutman and George Clinton. Troutman's solo album The Many Facets of Roger[11] was primarily funded by Clinton, through CBS, and was slated to be released on his own Uncle Jam Records label.[8] By early 1980s, Clinton and his musical projects were a midst financial troubles due to his poor management skills and shifting tastes in music.[12] Around the time of Troutman's to be released debut, Warner Bros. Records dropped Clinton from their label,[13] and quietly released The Electric Spanking of War Babies which Troutman had worked briefly on,[8] in early 1981 without much impact.

Troutman, seeing the disarray that was surrounding Clinton at the time, accepted Warner Bros. offer of more money for the demo recordings of his album. The move resulted in a bitter severing of partnerships between Clinton and Troutman, and with Clinton's departure, Troutman was left to exercise virtually full creative control over the band's later work. In Clinton's biography George Clinton: For the Record, Troutman was quoted commenting on the situation with a blasé attitude, "... Heck gee-willickers, Warner Bros. offered me mo' money".[8] In response, Clinton remarked, "CBS paid for it, I paid for it. I don't like to go into it on the negative side, but it cost about 5 million [dollars], and a lot of people's jobs and what we consider as the empire falling".[8] The loss of money that resulted from the actions of Troutman, is credited as one of the factors that disassembled both Clinton's and Funkadelic's musical careers.[8] The Many Facets of Roger was eventually released in late 1981 on Warner Bros.

1982–85: Style change and gradual decline

Zapp released its sophomore album, Zapp II, on October 14, 1983. It focused on more of an electronic orientated sound, containing greater use of the talk-box that is often considered Troutman's trademark. Despite the contrasting styles between the first and the second albums, Zapp II attained gold status by September 21, 1982.[10] The album fared almost as well as Zapp's debut, peaking at number two on the Billboard R&B chart, and reaching 25 on The Billboard 200 Albums chart. The single "Dancefloor (Part I)" peaked at number one on the R&B singles chart of 1982.[14]

Zapp spawned several more albums in close succession within the 1980s, retaining the heavily electronic style that Zapp II had adopted. Zapp III was released in 1983, but it did not reach the same chart positions as Zapp's previous efforts. While still gaining a gold certification,[10] it only peaked at 39 on the Billboard 200 and nine on the R&B chart.[15] Zapp III's poorer commercial performance became a sign that the band's popularity and impact were beginning to decline toward the mid 1980s, with post-disco music falling out of trend. By the release of Zapp IV on October 25, 1985, Zapp's popularity declined more.[16] The album gained gold status,[10] but only in 1995, a decade after its initial release. Zapp's presence began to fade in the latter half of the 1980s, and Troutman's attention was focused on his solo career. The final release by Zapp before Troutman's death was Zapp V, on September 12, 1989, which met with moderate commercial success and failed to receive an RIAA certification.

1993–96: Resurgence and brief increase in popularity

The growing and increasingly dominant West Coast hip-hop scene of the early to mid 1990s brought Zapp and Roger back into the spotlight for a brief amount of time as many hip-hop acts began favoring Zapp's material as a source for sampling in their own music. By 1994, Zapp's compilation album All the Greatest Hits was certified platinum,[10] making it one of their highest selling albums to date. Troutman gained recognition for providing talk-box backing vocals for both the original and remixed version of Tupac Shakur's 1995-96 comeback single "California Love"; the alternate version of the music video features Troutman playing the keyboard and talk-box during a party. Roger's involvement in "California Love" awarded him a Grammy nomination for "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group" in 1997.[8][17]

1996–present: Deaths of Roger and Larry Troutman, disbandment, and current activity

On Sunday morning, April 25, 1999, Roger Troutman was fatally wounded as a result of an apparent murder-suicide that was orchestrated by his older brother, Larry. Roger was shot several times in the torso by Larry as he exited a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio. Roger was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, but died shortly after.[18] Larry's body was found in a car a short distance away from the murder scene. There were no witnesses at the time, and Larry's motive for the murder of Roger remains unclear, however, there were increasingly large troubles over money surrounding Larry who managed the family run housing company, Troutman Enterprises. The business filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, owing $400,000 in delinquent taxes.[8] Larry was also possibly angry over Roger firing him as manager for his music career, of which Larry had been for several years.

After Troutman's death, Ice Cube said that "More Bounce To The Ounce" introduced him to hip-hop. "I was in the sixth grade, we'd stayed after school. We had this dude named Mr. Lock, and he used to bring in his radio with these pop-lockers. He used to teach [the dance group] the L.A. Lockers, and he would do community service in after-school programs. He knew a lot of kids and introduced them to all the new dances, he put on that song 'More Bounce', and they started pop-locking. And I think from that visual, from seeing that, it was my first introduction into hip-hop. Period. I didn't know nothing about nothing. I hadn't heard "Rapper's Delight" yet. It was the first thing that was really fly to me. They started dancing, and since 'More Bounce' goes on forever, they just got down. I just think that was a rush of adrenaline for me, like a chemical reaction in my brain."[19] During Roger's funeral, his nephew Clet Troutman performed a talk-box rendition of "Amazing Grace". Roger is survived by his five sons and daughters, his sixth son Roger Lynch Troutman Jr. died of head injuries several years after the murder of Roger, (January 31, 1970 – January 22, 2003).[20]

The resulting impact of Roger and Larry's deaths left the band stranded, halting production. Without Roger serving as the creative source, they effectively disbanded, and quietly left the music industry altogether. Warner Bros. Records eventually dropped the band from their label, bringing the professional recording career of Zapp to a close. A few years later, Zapp resurfaced for a short period after the establishment of its own independent label, Zapp Town Records,[21] managed by the Troutman family. The label released its only album, Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand, in 2003. Zapp returned to performing only in live concert, touring across the U.S. at various small scale venues.[22]

Personnel

The main list of members of Zapp are featured here including those who joined the band either as additional members or touring members:

Original lineup

  • Roger Troutman: vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, harmonica, vibraphone, percussion, talk box
  • Larry Troutman: percussion
  • Lester Troutman: drums
  • Terry Troutman: keyboards, bass, background vocals
  • Greg Jackson: Keyboards, Lead and Background vocals

Other members

  • Bobby Glover
  • Eddie Barber
  • Jannetta Boyce
  • Robert Jones
  • Jerome Derrickson
  • Sherman Fleetwood
  • Gregory Jackson (Original and Current Member)
  • Michael Warren
  • Shirley Murdock
  • Nicole Cottom
  • Dale DeGroat
  • Bart Thomas
  • Ricardo Bray
  • Bigg Robb (from the early/mid 1990s - 2009)
  • Rhonda Stevens
  • Ray Davis
  • Roger Troutman Jr. (died of head injury in 2003)
  • Thomas Troutman
  • Rufus Troutman III
  • Davis Brown (sound man)
  • Wanda Rash (vocalist)
  • Toika Troutman (vocalist)
  • Marchelle Smith (vocalist)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

  • 1993: Zapp & Roger: All The Greatest Hits
  • 1996: Roger & Zapp: Greatest Hits Vol. 2 & More

Notes

  1. ^ Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One. (1996). p. 281
  2. ^ ""Lil" Roger And His Fabulous Vels - Jolly Roger / Night Time Images". discogs. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  3. ^ "Teen Records [Ohio]". 45cat. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "Independent Record Labels Of Ohio". 45rpmrecords. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "Troutman Bros. Records". 45rpmrecords. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  6. ^ "Roger And The Human Body – Introducing Roger". discogs. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Third Ear - Funk (2001). pp. 333-334
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Third Ear - Funk (2001). p. 334
  9. ^ Hogan, Ed (January 17, 2014). "Roger Troutman". AllMusic. para.2. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d e RIAA Gold & Platinum Database. Retrieved 2014-18-01. Cite error: The named reference "RIAA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Roger – The Many Facets Of Roger". Allmusic. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  12. ^ Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One. (1996). pp. 248-249
  13. ^ Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One. (1996). p. 271
  14. ^ "Zapp II Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; June 18, 2013 suggested (help)
  15. ^ "Zapp III Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  16. ^ "Zapp IV Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  17. ^ "39th Grammy Awards - 1997 (held February 26, 1997)". Rockonthenet. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  18. ^ "Zapp's Roger And Larry Troutman Killed In Apparent Murder-Suicide". MTV. April 26, 1999. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  19. ^ Williams, P-Frank (August 14, 2002). "California Loved". Sfweekly. para.2-3. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  20. ^ Scholtes, Peter (May 6, 2003). "Remembering Roger Troutman, Jr. in Minneapolis". Citypages. para.4. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  21. ^ "Zapp Town Records". discogs. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  22. ^ "Zapp tour schedule". Zapp official website. Retrieved January 18, 2014.

References

  • Thompson, Dave (2001). Third Ear - Funk. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0879306297.
  • Vincent, Rickey (1996). Funk - The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One. United States of America: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312134990.
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