Blacksmoke (group)
Blacksmoke is a 1970s music group signed by former Crusaders member-turned-record producer Wayne Henderson for his At-Home Productions.
Blacksmoke | |
|---|---|
| Genres | R&B / Soul |
| Years active | 1972–1978 |
| Labels | Chocolate City Records |
| Associated acts | Donna Summers first American tour, Isley Brothers "Fight the Power" tour |
Originally named Smoke, the group was conceived in Compton, California in 1972. They were signed to Chocolate City Records in 1976 and their self-titled album was distributed by Casablanca Records & Filmworks in 1976. The album produced two hit singles, Your Love Has Got Me Screaming and There It Is. When it was discovered that another music act had been using the name "Smoke" prior to their releases, the initial records were pulled off the market and the label revised the group name and reissued the album with the updated name on the new album cover. They left Chocolate City in 1977 to join Henderson's At-Home Productions, where they remained until the group's disbanding.
The group was composed of songwriter Michael Fisher, on lead vocals and lead guitar, with his brother Anthony "Tony" Fisher, on electric bass and background vocals. Arnold Riggs Jr. sang lead vocals also and played percussion. Ray Genovese played drums and Rodney Thompson played keyboards. Bradford Henry Thoelke III played slide trombone and bass trombone. Clifford Ervin Jr. played trumpet and flugelhorn, and Milton "Buddy" McDaniels played saxophones and flute.