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Heatwave
may be available for your next special event!
Heatwave
was formed by the Wilder brothers, Johnnie and Keith, on their
discharge from the U.S. Army while in Germany. An advertisement in a
music paper yielded Hull and England-born songwriter Rod Temperton.
Further members recruited were two more
Americans, Eric Johns and Jessie Whitten, a Czech, Ernest Berger, and
a Spaniard, Mario Mantese.
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Richard De La Font
with Heatwave |
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Heatwave was designed to be a slamming
R&B outfit with strong song sensibilities and equally strong
grooves to keep them dancing in the discos. It succeeded
spectacularly.
Between 1977 and 1981 the
group enjoyed a series of hit singles in both the UK and USA,
including "Boogie Nights," "Always And Forever"
and "Mind Blowing Decisions." Despite maintaining some
links, Temperton officially left the band in 1977 to forge an
impressive songwriting career. Heatwave's own progress was
marred by a series of tragedies. Whitten was stabbed to death, Mantese
left the group following a severe car crash, while Johnnie Wilder was
paralyzed from the neck down as a result of another road accident.
Johnnie Wilder courageously remained at the group's helm, producing
their work and singing in the studio, while another vocalist, J.D.
Nicholas, took his place onstage.
The journey of Heatwave is one of a group
that surged to international prominence, which threatened to be
eclipsed by tragedy, yet continues to shine intensely in the hearts of
those who were ignited on the dance floor by the infectious grooves,
electrified at live concerts by the fiery showmanship, and warmed by
the smooth ballads that have made them internationally famous.
Heatwave has continued on. The group
still tours, keeping the groove line going around the world.
Hit songs include --
- Always and Forever
- Boogie Nights
- The Groove Line
- Gangsters of the Groove
- Eyeballin'
- Mind Blowing Decisions
- Lettin' It Loose
- Where Did I Go Wrong
Heatwave may be available for your next special event!
Watch videos
YouTube |
Vimeo
Genre: R&B
Styles:
.Classic Rock. / ClassicRock
.Disco. / xDisco
.Quiet Storm. / QuietStorm
.Urban. / xUrban
Years active:
x70s, x80s, x90s, x00s, x10s
Formed: ..in Germany
Formed: in 1975
Based: ..in US
Based: ..in Maryland / based nMaryland
Based: ..in Baltimore area
/ based BaltimoreMD
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