Mercy (band)
Mercy is an American pop group from Florida. The group's 1969 single "Love (Can Make You Happy)", written by Jack Sigler, Jr., soared to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and also peaked at #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[1] "Love (Can Make You Happy)" was released in April and had sold over one million copies by July 15, earning a gold record from the R.I.A.A., although the group did not receive the award until October 2009.[2]
The track was originally released on the small Tampa, Florida-based Sundi record label, at which time it was also included in the movie, Fireball Jungle. The B-side of the Sundi single was entitled "Fire Ball".
During the single's rapid rise in the charts, an album was released by a group calling themselves "The Mercy" (with a cover showing three girls), that included the Sundi recording, as well as several other songs that were not recorded by any of the original Mercy members. Litigation quickly ensued and the Sundi album was banned from distribution.[citation needed]
The song was re-recorded on the Warner Brothers label, with the addition of new band members, and included on the Warner Brothers album, Love Can Make You Happy, which peaked at #38 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.[3] Mercy had one other Billboard Hot 100 hit, the song "Forever", which reached #79 in June 1969.[4]
Sigler earned an award from BMI, in recognition of the song receiving over two million airplays.[citation needed]
The band is still touring with Sigler, the original lead vocalist and founder of the group. Mercy released their latest EP on iTunes in 2009.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Billboard 200 | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Love (Can Make You Happy) | – | Sundi Records |
| 1969 | Love Can Make You Happy | 38 | Warner Bros. Records |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Record Label | B-side | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AC | |||||
| 1969 | "Love (Can Make You Happy)" | 2 | 2 | Sundi Records | "Fire Ball" | Love (Can Make You Happy) |
| "Love (Can Make You Happy)" | – | – | Warner Bros. Records | "Never My Love" | Love Can Make You Happy | |
| "Forever" | 79 | 24 | "The Mornings Come" | |||
| "Hello Baby" | – | – | "Heard You Went Away" | |||
Members
- Current Touring Members
- Jack Sigler, Jr.
- Suzanne Sigler
- Butch Darby
- Kevin Dennis
- Touring Members - Warner Bros. Recording
- Jack Sigler, Jr.
- Ronnie Caudill
- Buddy Good
- Debbie Lewis
- Brenda McNish
- James Marvell
- Roger Fuentes
- Original Members - Sundi Recording
- Jack Sigler, Jr.
- Ann Sigler
- John Hudson
- Roy Shultz
- Brenda McNish
- Debbie Lewis
- Ronnie Caudill
- Lou Facenda
- Deni Hawley
See also
List of one-hit wonders in the United States
References
- ^ Billboard Singles, Allmusic.com
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 264. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic.com
- ^ Joel Whitburn, Top Pop Singles, 12th edn, 2009.
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