Shalamar - The 1980's; and that dance move that got everyone talking

The 1980s is tied with the 1960s as the greatest musical decade of the 21^st century. There I’ve said it. A big statement isn’t it? However, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. A very long time indeed in fact I now stand by this.

So much happened musically within the decade of the 1980s that in my opinion ties with the decade of the 1960s.

Now, I will let you into a little secret.

I was an avid watcher of the music show here in England that was “Top of the Pops”.

During the 1980’s we saw musical events, monumental songs, and music videos that turned the music industry on its head.

Here in my opinion are the 5 musical videos or Live performances that wowed, shocked, or spellbound the world during the 1980s. You may have a totally different list than mine below,

These are:

1. Live Aid Event at Wembley Stadium, London, England, and in the USA at Philadelphia live on TV.
2. The 1^st time we saw the UK group called Imagination appearing on the music show called “Top of the Pops” – it seemed dressed in catsuits for men!
3. The 1^st time saw the group called Culture Club live on World Tv was when we saw them on the music show known as  “Top of the Pops” here in the UK – singing "Do you really want to hurt me
4. The 1^st time we saw the Video of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” live on TV across the world.
5. The 1^st time we saw "The Moonwalk” live on TV here in the UK was when Jeffrey Daniels performed it here on the music show called “Top of the Pops” performing the song called “A Night to Remember for the group called Shalamar.

And it’s with the last point that I mentioned that I would like to dig deeper with you. I will never forget (and the same goes for half the nation of the UK at the time!) when we saw that performance by Jeffrey Daniel on “Top of the Pops” for the group called Shalamar – when performing the song called  “Night to Remember”.

(A Night to Remember -Song and Performance by Jeffrey Daniel - 1st time on Uk TV - June 1982)

Dressed in all white we all witnessed Jeffrey Daniel, a gifted dancer in his own right perform the backslide (as he called it and later became the (“Moonwalk”) on live UK TV for the 1^st time on UK Soil.

 

(A Night to Remember - Jeffrey Daniel - Song and Performance - 2nd time on Uk TV - June 1982)

Jeffrey was part of the dance crew known as the Electric Boogaloos  that appeared on the USA music show that was known as “Soul Train”

The group that is  Shalamar came about due to the thoughts and brainstorming of Dick Griffney and Don Cornelius who both worked on the music show called “Soul Train”(within the USA) to create the group.

Griffney was looking for the right blend of singers to create the group. He came up with Jeffery Daniel, Jody Watley, and Gerald Brown.

However Gerald Brown wasn’t too happy with the payment arrangements and schedules that were arranged by Dick Griffney. Gerald Brown left the group because of this. So a replacement was needed.

And this came about when Jeffery Daniel came about a chance meeting with the vocalist called  Howard Hewitt. Eventually, an offer was put over to Howard if he wanted to be a part of Shalamar. He accepted the offer, and  Shalamar had a new lineup.

The group’s first single as Jody Watley, Howard Hewitt, and Jeffery Daniel produced the group's 1^st single together as the new lineup. The single is to be called “Uptown Festival”. The single was a hit.

And Shalamar and that lineup that we know and love were on their way.

So when news reached me that Shalamar was to play in my Home town (Ipswich Town, here in England on the 10^th of April 2016). I was more than determined to get myself a ticket and see them. (www.shalamar.info)

Shalamar we always be remembered here fondly in the UK for 3 things.

1. The classic Shalamar lineup of Jody Watley, Howard Hewitt, and Jeffrey Daniel.
2. They released an album called “Friends” – which produced the hits that made them a household name across the world.
3. The dance was performed on UK TV by Jeffery Daniel (For Shalamar) for the UK music show called “Top of the Pops”.

However, it hasn’t been all sweetness and light within the group.

For instance, the classic lineup ofJeffery Daniel, Jody Watley, and Howard Hewitt is no more. Jeffery and Howard are still there, but there’s no Jody. She has been replaced by the vocalist that is Carolyn Griffney.

According to Jeffery Daniel (Blues and Soul Magazine - March 2016 – issue 1026)

“Carolyn is more Jazzy, Soulful, and Pop which gives it another edge that makes it more interesting; it doesn’t change it, but it enhances it. Her presence on stage is really powerful. It is like an injection for me and Howard. It took Carolyn a while to find her balance with us, but she has earned her strips”.

The dispute between Jody Watley and her use of the name Shalamar has not been solved as yet.

Jeffery Daniel added:

“I don’t want to say anything negative about Jody because I brought her into the industry. I taught her how to sing.  I am the founding member of Shalamar. I bought her and Howard into the group. Howard could already sing.

When we decided to re-group in 1999. I asked Jody if she wanted to be a part of Shalamar again, and she said she wasn’t interested in re-hashing the past. She didn’t want anything to do with Shalamar.

I respected that. She was not interested in the point when she would do a Solo show; if someone requested Shalamar's song she would say – go home and listen to the Cd.

Therefore, here we are today (and) she has formed her own Shalamar. What makes it odd to me is that as long as Howard Hewitt and I are still alive and performing as Shalamar; how do you have another one? Who’s going to sing Howard's parts?  He’s the lead vocalist!

I don’t want to get into a nasty thing; it’s not about negativity. Some people are wise and some people are otherwise. If the public wants to see Jody, go and see Jody. If they want to see us, come and see us. Let the public decide, but Shalamar is Howard Hewitt and Jeffery Daniel”.

With that said, that date of 10^th April 2016 was firmly ironed into my brain to go and see them. Has it been 34 years since the release of the album called “Friends”?

And yes I did go and see them perform at the Corn Exchange here in Ipswich Town, on the 10^th of April 2016. It was a sell-out event. And those that saw it witnessed the show on the 10^th of April 2016 in Ipswich Town, England got their money's worth.

The vocal delivery of the group was spot on. And so was the band that accompanied them.

Howard Hewitt the group's lead singer excelled with the vocal deliveries. And we were allowed to witness this as he did a few solo songs within the show himself so that we can highlight this.

A nice touch was thrown in within the show as Shalamar paid tribute to Maurice White (of Earth, Wind and Fire - USA) and  David Bowie(UK)  who died recently (in 2016!) that made a difference to them musically. They performed a classic Earth, Wind Fire track and a Classic David Bowie track that was met with great approval by the Ipswich Crowd.

Jeffery, excited the Ipswich crowd again when he performed his classic dance moves to the song that made him and Shalamar a household name in 1982. The song in question was “A Night to Remember”.

It was here that Jeffery showed us that he hasn’t any of his dance moves that included the “Lock and Popping moves” that made him a household name across the world.

The crowd in Ipswich didn’t stay in their seats for long; in fact, many rushed to the front of the stage early on during Shalamar's performance.

On a personal note. During 2016, already we have witnessed so many great performers in the world of music or other forms of entertainment pass away. It’s good to see a group that makes you feel good again on stage.

We took the 1980s for granted.  I for one when the opportunity arises will try and see this group whenever I can.

No, I am not stuck in a time warp. That is not the case at all. As I listen to new tracks by todays artists as much as I can.

However, during the 1980’s we saw things happening in front of us for the first time that still influences today’s music entertainment business.

The emerging music and cultural scene of the Hip-Hop musical movement, the Rare Groove explosion within the UK, the House music explosion, The Lovers Rock Reggae explosion from the UK that took Jamaica by surprise, The Techno music explosion, the 2nd musical Invasion from the Uk to the USA during the early 1980’s that included the Brit Funk movement, the music video format and would you believe it the TV Show that was - Miami Vice!!

All become worldwide musical talking points and also changed the face of the music and media entertainment that we take for granted today.

Shalamar was a part of that great era or Decade, and what a group they were. And thankfully they still are with us. Thanks, Shalamar!!

Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.

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Dj Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com