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Wade Flemons

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For the Canadian swimmer, see Wade Flemons (swimmer).

Wade Herbert Flemons (September 25, 1940 – October 13, 1993) was an American soul singer. He was a founding member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire.[1][2]

Career

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He was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to Samuel and Kathyrine Flemons. His father was a minister, who introduced him to gospel music.[3] After his parents' marriage ended in divorce, Wade moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where his mother was living, in 1955.[4] While attending Battle Creek Central High School, Flemons came up with his first hit tune entitled "Here I Stand". A song which he wrote and recorded with his band, the New Comers.[1][5] Released in 1958 by Chicago-based Vee-Jay Records, the tune peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1][6] Here I Stand's success soon earned him appearances upon both American Bandstand and the Alan Freed Show.[7]

His later rendition of Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love," also reached #20 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[1] Flemons eventually started working as a musician and vocalist at Chicago recording studios. Flemons gained a reputation as a prolific songwriter. During his career, he wrote as many as 200 songs for both himself and other musicians.[8]

A songwriting partner of his was Maurice White,[9] later the founder of Earth, Wind & Fire. Having a good rapport with White, in 1969 he became part of his band called the Salty Peppers.[10] Flemons subsequently went on to join White in his next musical venture. Becoming the lead vocalist of White's new band Earth, Wind & Fire. He performed and composed upon the band's 1971 debut LP and 1972 sophomore album. Flemons left the group soon after their second LP was released.[2] Some of Flemons' solo songs are still revered, upon the UK's Northern soul scene.

Personal life

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Flemons married in 1980; he and his wife Brenda had a daughter and three sons.[11] He died from cancer in Battle Creek, Michigan, at age 53.[12] A United States Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, he was buried at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.[1]

One of his sons, Brian Wade Flemons, followed in his father's footsteps and also became a musician.[13]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Wade Flemons (1959), VeeJay LP 1011

Singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions B-side Album
US US
R&B
1958 "Here I Stand" (2:22) 80 19 "My Baby Likes to Rock" (2:21) Wade Flemons (1959)
1959 "Slow Motion" (2:07) —[A] — "Walking By the River"[B] (2:40)
"What's Happening" (2:21) 94 — "Goodnite It's Time to Go" (2:14)
1960 "Easy Lovin'" (2:16) 70 10 "Woops Now" (2:21)
1961 "Please Send Me Someone to Love" (2:10) — 20 "Keep On Loving Me" (2:16) —

Other releases

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1959

  • "Wade Flemons" (Vee-Jay LP-1011)

1960

  • "Little John Green" (with Bobby Hendricks)
  • "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" / "I'll Come Runnin"

1961

  • "At the Party" / "Devil in Your Soul"

1962

  • "I Hope, I Think, I Wish" / "Ain't These Tears?"
  • "Half a Love" / "Welcome Stranger"

1963

  • "I Came Running (Back From the Party)" / "That Time of Year"

1964

  • "I Knew You When" / "That Other Place"
  • "Watch Over Her" / "When It Rains It Pours"

1965

  • "Empty Balcony" / "Where Did You Go Last Night"

1968

  • "Jeanette" / "What A Price to Pay"
  • "Two of a Kind" / "I Knew You'd Be Mine"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Buckley, Nick (November 12, 2020). "Musicians who charted after they started in Battle Creek". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Reigle, Matt (April 30, 2022). "Earth, Wind & Fire Members You May Not Know Have Died". Grunge. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Sonya Bernard-Hollins and Sean Hollins. Here I Stand: One City's Musical History. Fortitude Graphic Design and Printing Inc., 2016, p. 71.
  4. ^ "Services Set for Co-Founder of Vocal Group." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 17, 1993, p. 2.
  5. ^ Mark Schwerin, "B.C. Has Rolled Out Plenty of Rockers." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, September 21, 1995, p. W3.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 304.
  7. ^ "Ramblings." Cashbox, November 22, 1958, p. 46.
  8. ^ S. Renee Mitchell. "A Man With Style, A Man With Love, A Man of Music." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 24, 1993, p. 10.
  9. ^ Paul Zollo. More Songwriters on Songwriting. Da Capo Press, 2016, p. 308.
  10. ^ Gail Mitchell. "Shining Stars." Philadelphia Daily News, September 27, 2005, p. 42.
  11. ^ "Services Set for Co-Founder of Vocal Group." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 17, 1993, p. 2.
  12. ^ "Services Set for Co-Founder of Vocal Group." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 17, 1993, p. 2.
  13. ^ "Musician Releases Single, Starts Record Company." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, June 14, 1998, p. 22.

Notes

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  1. ^ "Slow Motion" never charted on the Hot 100, but peaked at number 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100
  2. ^ This B-side does not appear on the album.
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