Shalamar

Shalamar was an influential R&B and soul music vocal group, established by Dick Griffey and Don Cornelius, known for their disco-driven sound and significant impact on dance culture. After achieving their debut hit ‘Uptown Festival’ in 1977, Shalamar quickly established itself as an influential R&B and soul music vocal group. Formed by Dick Griffey and Don Cornelius, the group initially featured Soul Train dancers Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel. Gerald Brown later joined for their second album, ‘Disco Gardens’ (1978), which included ‘Take That to the Bank.’ By 1979, Howard Hewett became lead vocalist, solidifying the classic trio with Watley and Daniel.

This era, under Leon Sylvers III’s production and signed with SOLAR Records, led to their US million-selling single ‘The Second Time Around’ in 1979. The classic lineup earned three US Gold albums: ‘Big Fun’ (1979), ‘Three for Love’ (1980), and ‘Friends’ (1982). Their album ‘Friends’ (1982) achieved Platinum status in the UK, spawning hit singles like ‘I Can Make You Feel Good,’ ‘A Night to Remember,’ and ‘There It Is.’ Jeffrey Daniel’s groundbreaking dance performances on BBC Television’s ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1982, introducing body-popping and demonstrating the moonwalk, significantly boosted Shalamar’s UK record sales. These iconic appearances influenced artists like Michael Jackson, with whom Daniel later co-choreographed for the ‘Bad’ album.

A significant reunion in 1999 brought together Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel, and Carolyn Griffey, daughter of co-founder Dick Griffey. This reunited Shalamar lineup, featuring Hewett, Daniel, and Griffey, continues to perform internationally, including a notable performance at the O2 Arena Entertainment in London in 2009. In 2017, the trio released the single ‘The Real Thing.’ Most recently, in 2023, Shalamar was honored with a prestigious stone on the Music Walk Of Fame in Camden, celebrating their enduring legacy in R&B, soul, and dance music.