KC and the Sunshine Band

KC and the Sunshine Band, founded by Harry Wayne Casey in 1973, rapidly became a global force in disco and funk, earning a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2002) and a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars (2013). The band, with Casey, bassist Richard Finch, guitarist Jerome Smith, and drummer Robert Johnson, achieved early international success with singles ‘Blow Your Whistle’ (1973) and ‘Sound Your Funky Horn’ (1974) on the U.S. R&B chart. Casey also co-wrote George McCrae’s ‘Rock Your Baby’ (1974), a number one hit in 51 countries.

Their self-titled album, KC and the Sunshine Band (1975), delivered a U.S. breakthrough, with ‘Get Down Tonight’ topping the Billboard Hot 100 in August and R&B chart in April, followed by ‘That’s the Way (I Like It)’ reaching number one in November 1975. Building on this success, Part 3 (1976) yielded two additional number one hits: ‘I’m Your Boogie Man’ and ‘(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty.’ The band received two Grammy Award nominations in 1976, with another in 1977. Further achievements included ‘Keep It Comin’ Love’ (1977), peaking at number two, and the iconic ‘Please Don’t Go,’ which became the first number one hit of the 1980s in January 1980.

Their enduring cultural impact is highlighted by the KC and the Sunshine Band Musical Who Do Ya Love?, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024. This theatrical success continues with a reworked musical, Get Down Tonight, scheduled to transfer to London’s West End in 2025, ensuring their iconic sound and story captivate audiences worldwide.