Sun (R&B band): Difference between revisions
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With the release of their second album, '''Sun Power (pressed on orange vinyl in 1977)''', '''Sun''' sprang into a ten-piece configuration of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists that consisted of Byron Byrd, John Hampton Wagner, Christopher D. Jones, Hollis Melson, Dean Hummons, Kym Yancey, Shawn Sandridge, Bruce Hastell, Gary King and Ernie Knisley. The album also contained “Conscience,” the dramatic "Time Is Passing” (used and sampled many Rap Artists including Dr. Dre)<ref name="Dr Dre">{{cite web|last= Dr. Dre featuring Charis Henry and Mel-Man|title=The Car Bomb|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/2001-mw0000040094|publisher=Death Row}}</ref> plus the driving instrumental “We’re So Hot,” which has been used in many sports telecasts. |
With the release of their second album, '''Sun Power (pressed on orange vinyl in 1977)''', '''Sun''' sprang into a ten-piece configuration of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists that consisted of Byron Byrd, John Hampton Wagner, Christopher D. Jones, Hollis Melson, Dean Hummons, Kym Yancey, Shawn Sandridge, Bruce Hastell, Gary King and Ernie Knisley. The album also contained “Conscience,” the dramatic "Time Is Passing” (used and sampled many Rap Artists including Dr. Dre)<ref name="Dr Dre">{{cite web|last= Dr. Dre featuring Charis Henry and Mel-Man|title=The Car Bomb|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/2001-mw0000040094|publisher=Death Row}}</ref> plus the driving instrumental “We’re So Hot,” which has been used in many sports telecasts. |
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'''Sun’s''' next Lp, '''Destination: Sun (1979)''', contained |
'''Sun’s''' next Lp, '''Destination: Sun (1979)''', contained “Radiation Level,” the horn section showcase “Pure Fire”, “Light Of The Universe,” as well as the ballad, “Baby I Confess.” The album also found the band taking its concept to cosmic levels. The intricate album was done by [[Shusei Nagaoka]], who also illustrated the Sun Power LP as well as [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]’s All ‘N All, I Am and Raise. For the stage, Byron Byrd came up with the idea of robots, Custos Warriors. And to design them, he used the Oscar-winning designers (led by Jamie Shourt) that created “[[R2-D2]]” and “[[C-3PO]]” for [[Star Wars]]. |
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'''Sun''' had people from NASA do the cover animation for their fifth album, '''Sun Over The Universe (1980)'''<ref name="Sun Over The Universe">{{cite web|first=SUN LP|title=Sun Over The Universe|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/force-of-nature-mw0000855551|publisher=Capitol Records|location=http://www.allmusic.com/album/force-of-nature-mw0000855551|year=1980}}</ref> and had some of the first pictures of Jupiter incorporated into moon landing photos. This album also marks the addition of keyboardist Dean Francis and guitarist [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]], the latter of whom who would go on to join two other supergroups: '''The Commodores''' and '''Earth, Wind & Fire'''. Prior to '''Sun''', Sheldon was backing jazz guitarist '''Wilbert Longmire'''. And just after Sheldon joined '''Sun''', Keith Cheatham left, giving Sheldon an opportunity to sing. |
'''Sun''' had people from NASA do the cover animation for their fifth album, '''Sun Over The Universe (1980)'''<ref name="Sun Over The Universe">{{cite web|first=SUN LP|title=Sun Over The Universe|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/force-of-nature-mw0000855551|publisher=Capitol Records|location=http://www.allmusic.com/album/force-of-nature-mw0000855551|year=1980}}</ref> and had some of the first pictures of Jupiter incorporated into moon landing photos. This album also marks the addition of keyboardist Dean Francis and guitarist [[Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)|Sheldon Reynolds]], the latter of whom who would go on to join two other supergroups: '''The Commodores''' and '''Earth, Wind & Fire'''. Prior to '''Sun''', Sheldon was backing jazz guitarist '''Wilbert Longmire'''. And just after Sheldon joined '''Sun''', Keith Cheatham left, giving Sheldon an opportunity to sing. |
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SUN | |
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Origin | Dayton, Ohio, United States |
Genres | Soul, R&B, funk, disco, jazz fusion, rock |
Years active | 1976–present |
Labels | Capitol Records / Air City Records / Century Vista / Blip Blop Records |
Members | Byron Byrd Donovan Blackwood Alfred Holbrook Alfie Harrison Pete Lamar BBIII |
Past members | Byron Byrd: Sax, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals Christopher Jones: Trumpet, Xylophone, Vocals John Wagner: Trumpet, Trombone, Vocals Hollis Melson: Bass, Vocals Dean Hummons: Keyboards, Sax Shawn Sandridge: Guitar,Talk Box, Vocals Kym Yancey: Drums, Vocals Curtis Hooks: Bass Sonnie Talbert: Keyboards Dean Francis: Keyboards, Drums, Vocals Keith Cheatham: Guitar, Vocals Don Taylor: Bass, Vocals Anthony Thompson: Guitar, Vocals Sheldon Reynolds: Guitar, Vocals Tony Allen: Bass Roger Parker: Drums Breck Bombeck: Guitar Thomas Black: Guitar Bruce Hastell: Guitar Larry Houston: Keyboards Ernie Knisley: Percussion, Sax, Background Vocals Gary King: Trombone, Background Vocals Nigel Bolton: Trumpet Robert Arnold: Trumpet, Background Vocals Mitch Kenny: Drums Joey Lobo: Drums Pete Lemarr: Keyboards, Bass, Vocals Donovan Blackwood: Percussion, Vocals Alfie Harrison: Guitar, Vocals Alfred Holbrook: Keyboards, Trumpet, Vocals. BBIII: Keyboards, Vocals |
Website | sun-thelegendaryfunkband |
Sun is an R&B, soul, disco, and funk band that was formed in mid 1970s and recorded prolifically for Capitol Records from 1976 to 1984. The band was founded by Byron Byrd in Dayton, Ohio in 1976. Additional members included Kym Yancey, Chris Jones, John Wagner, Hollis Melson, and Shawn Sandridge.[1] Sun is known for their blazing bass and guitar funk, self contained horn section, and futuristic stage shows, touring with Parliament Funkadelic, The O'Jays, Commodores, James Brown, Natalie Cole, Chaka Kahn, etc.
After being signed to Capitol by Larkin Arnold, Sun was faced with an immediate problem: an incomplete band. The black hole was in the rhythm section, so Byron Byrd recruited Roger Troutman and Lester Troutman (now with Zapp) and paid them to do some studio sessions so he could get the album finished. Lester laid drum tracks with Roger on bass, then Roger overdubbed guitar for four songs on the album, including "Live On, Dream On." But it was on "Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My BIC)"[2]. Roger Troutman died April 25, 1999.
As the first single from the debut LP, Live On, Dream On (1976),[3] “Wanna make Love” became Sun's first hit, peaking at #31 on Billboard’s R&B chart.[4]
With the release of their second album, Sun Power (pressed on orange vinyl in 1977), Sun sprang into a ten-piece configuration of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists that consisted of Byron Byrd, John Hampton Wagner, Christopher D. Jones, Hollis Melson, Dean Hummons, Kym Yancey, Shawn Sandridge, Bruce Hastell, Gary King and Ernie Knisley. The album also contained “Conscience,” the dramatic "Time Is Passing” (used and sampled many Rap Artists including Dr. Dre)[5] plus the driving instrumental “We’re So Hot,” which has been used in many sports telecasts.
Sun’s next Lp, Destination: Sun (1979), contained “Radiation Level,” the horn section showcase “Pure Fire”, “Light Of The Universe,” as well as the ballad, “Baby I Confess.” The album also found the band taking its concept to cosmic levels. The intricate album was done by Shusei Nagaoka, who also illustrated the Sun Power LP as well as Earth, Wind & Fire’s All ‘N All, I Am and Raise. For the stage, Byron Byrd came up with the idea of robots, Custos Warriors. And to design them, he used the Oscar-winning designers (led by Jamie Shourt) that created “R2-D2” and “C-3PO” for Star Wars. Sun had people from NASA do the cover animation for their fifth album, Sun Over The Universe (1980)[6] and had some of the first pictures of Jupiter incorporated into moon landing photos. This album also marks the addition of keyboardist Dean Francis and guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, the latter of whom who would go on to join two other supergroups: The Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire. Prior to Sun, Sheldon was backing jazz guitarist Wilbert Longmire. And just after Sheldon joined Sun, Keith Cheatham left, giving Sheldon an opportunity to sing.
Original group members/instrument played
- Byron M. Byrd (Tenor Saxophone, Keyboards,Vocals)
- Kym Yancey (Drums)
- John Wagner (Trumpet, Vocals)
- Chris Jones (Trumpet, Vocals)
- Hollis Melson (Bass, Vocals)
- Shawn Sandridge (Guitar)
- Note: Roger Troutman played Guitar and talk box on 1st SUN LP Live On, Dream On (1976)
- Note: Lester Troutman played Drums on 1st SUN LP Live On, Dream On (1976)
Past performers and session musicians
Byron Byrd: Sax, Bass, Keyboards Vocals | Christopher Jones: Trumpet, Xylophone, Vocals | John Wagner: Trumpet, Trombone, Vocals | Hollis Melson: Bass, Vocals | Dean Hummons: Keyboards, Sax | Shawn Sandridge: Guitar,Vocals | Kym Yancey: Drums, Vocals | Curtis Hooks: Bass | Sonnie Talbert: Keyboards | Dean Francis: Keyboards, Drums, Vocals | Keith Cheatham: Guitar, Vocals | Don Taylor: Bass, Vocals | Anthony Thompson: Guitar, Vocals | Sheldon Reynolds: Guitar, Vocals | ‘Drac’ (Slave): Guitar | Roger Troutman: Guitar, Bass, Talkbox | Lester Troutman: Drums, Percussion | Tony Allen: Bass | Roger Parker: Drums | Breck Bombeck: Guitar | Thomas Black: Guitar | Bruce Hastell: Guitar | Larry Houston: Keyboards | Ernie Knisley: Percussion, Background Vocals | Gary King: Trombone, Background Vocals | Nigel Bolton: Trumpet | Robert Arnold: Trumpet, Background Vocals | Mitch Kenny: Drums | Joey Lobo: Drums | Pete Lemarr: Keyboards, Bass, Vocals | Donovan Blackwood: Percussion, Vocals | Alfie Harrison: Guitar, Vocals | Alfred Holbrook: Keyboards, Trumpet, Vocals.
Discography
SUN ALBUMS
- Wanna Make Love (1976)
- Sun Power (1977)
- Sunburn (1978)
- Destination Sun (1979)
- Sun Over the Universe (1980)[6]
- Force of Nature (1981)
- Let There Be Sun (1982)
- Eclipse (1984)
Influences
SUN's songs have been covered and sampled by numerous artists, include:
MC Eiht 'Streiht Up Menace' ('Menace to Society' Title Movie Soundtrack) covered 'My Woman’,[7] UGK 'Protect and Serve' used 'My Woman',[8] O.C. 'Stronjay' used 'My Woman',[9] STS 'The Interview' used 'My Woman',[10] WC and the Maad Circle 'A Soldiers Story' used 'My Woman',[11] Dr. Dre feat. Charis Henry and Mel-Man 'The Car Bomb' used 'Time is Passing',[5] Pete Rock 'Just a Word or Two' used 'Time is Passing',[12] Hard Knocks 'Ghetto Love' used 'Time is Passing',[13] DJ JS-One and Dub L feat. Pryme and Common 'While I'm Dancing' used 'Time is Passing',[14] Jet Life 'Lop-Sided' used 'Time is Passing',[15] NEXT ’That’s my Word’ used Time is Passing’ DJ Quik 'Get At Me' used 'Conscience',[16] Poison Clan 'Shine Me Up' used 'Sun Is Here',[17] Sylk-E. Fyne feat. The Chill 'Romeo and Juliet' used 'Sun Is Here',[18] O.S.T.R. 'Przemysi to Sobie' used 'Stay By My Side',[19] Alliance Ethnik 'Respect' used 'On My Radio',[20] Sunz of Man 'Intro' used 'Introduction: You Are My Sunshine', Large Professor 'Love wit U' used 'Give Your Love To Me',[21] Booyah T.R.I.B.E., Payaso, Outtahand, NB Ridaz.
Television
United Negro College Fund "Cavalcade of Stars" Telethon,[22] James Brown's Future Shock (TV series),[23] Soul Train – SUN 'The Show Is Over' ,[24] Soul Train - SUN, 'Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My Bic)',[24] Soul Train - SUN, 'Sun Is Here',[24] Soul Train - SUN, 'Pure Fire',[24] WHIO-TV , ABC Celebrity Superstars.
Articles
'SUN A Shining' Profile and Interview by David Nathan, Blues & Soul Magazine, October 1977[25]
'SUN Destination Superstardom' Profile and Interview by John Abbey, Blues & Soul Magazine, August 1979[25]
References
- ^ Galloway, Scott. "SUN, THE GREATEST HITS CD".
- ^ Byron Byrd (1976). "Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My Bic)". http://www.discogs.com/Sun-Wanna-Make-Love/master/88448.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)CS1 maint: location (link)|location=
- ^ SUN (1976). "Live On, Dream On". http://avaxhome.ws/music/rnb/funk/Funkadelic_165.html.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)CS1 maint: location (link)|location=
- ^ Billboard R&B Chart (1976). "Wanna Make Love".
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ a b Dr. Dre featuring Charis Henry and Mel-Man. "The Car Bomb". Death Row.
- ^ a b "Sun Over The Universe". http://www.allmusic.com/album/force-of-nature-mw0000855551: Capitol Records. 1980.
{{cite web}}
:|first=
missing|last=
(help); External link in
(help)CS1 maint: location (link)|location=
- ^ Eiht, MC (1993). "Menace II Soceity". New Line Cinema.
- ^ "Protect and Serve". http://www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
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missing|last=
(help); External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ "Stronjay". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
:|first=
missing|last=
(help) - ^ STS. "The Interview". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ WC and the Maad Circle (1991). "A Soldiers Story". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Rock, Pete. "Just a Word or Two". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Hard Knocks. "Ghetto Love". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ DJ JS-One and Dub L feat. Pryme and Common. "While I'm Dancing". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Jet Life. "Lop-Sided". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ DJ Quik. "Get At Me". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Poison Clan. "Shine Me Up". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Sylk-E Fyne featuring The Chill. "Romeo and Juliet (LA Groove)". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ O.S.T.R. "Przemysi to Sobie". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Alliance Ethnik. "Respect". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Large Professor. "Love wit U". www.whosampled.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ Bookman, Ron (1978). "Hollywood, CA. United Negro College Fund "Cavalcade of Stars" TV Telethon".
- ^ Brown, James (1978). "Future Shock Television Series". Turner Broadcasting.
- ^ a b c d Don Cornelius. "Soul Train". www.imdb.com.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) - ^ a b Nathan, David. "SUN is Shining". Blues & Soul Magazine.
{{cite web}}
: More than one of|author=
and|last=
specified (help) Cite error: The named reference "David Nathan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).