GQ (band)

GQ was an American group, formed in The Bronx, New York, primarily noted for its success in disco and R&B. The core membership of the group commenced playing professionally, under different group names, as of 1968.

GQ
Background information
OriginThe Bronx, New York, U.S.
GenresDisco, R&B
Years active1968–1991, 1999
LabelsArista
Associated actsKeith Sweat, Kool & the Gang
Past membersEmanuel Rahiem Leblanc
Keith Crier (deceased)
Herb Lane
Paul Service
Steve Adorno
Kevin J. Zambrana

History

GQ was first formed in 1968 as a quartet called Sabu & the Survivors, with "Sabu" being a moniker of member Keith Crier. The group then evolved in the 1970s as The Rhythm Makers, playing primarily funk music. They were Five Percenters. The Rhythm Makers were composed of Emanuel Rahiem Leblanc (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Keith "Sabu" Crier (bass and vocals).[1] Herb Lane (keyboards and vocals) and Kenny Banks (drums and vocals) The group released one album, Soul On Your Side in 1976 on the De-Lite Records subsidiary Vigor Records, from which the group had one major international dancefloor hit, "Zone". At the time that Kenny Banks was replaced by Paul Service in 1978, and the group's manager suggested that the group name be changed to "GQ", which stood for "good quality".[1] They signed with Arista Records.

GQ became quite successful playing music representative of the period's disco influenced sound. They had several highly ranked singles in multiple markets (US Pop, US Black, US Disco/Club). Their biggest hit was 1979's "Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)", a single from their debut album Disco Nights, which reached #1 (for two weeks) on the R&B singles chart, #3 on the Hot Dance Club Play and #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold over one million copies in the US alone. The track also peaked at #42 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] (It was a reworked version of The Rhythm Makers title-track to Soul On Your Side). The follow-up Billy Stewart remake, "I Do Love You", was also successful, reaching #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Drummer Paul Service fractured his wrist in a car accident in 1980.[3] On the cover of the third and final album by the group, Face to Face, Service is noticeably absent. The band ultimately replaced him with drummer Steve "Beatz" Adorno, who performed with GQ from 1980 to 2010.

Keith "Sabu" Crier was the son of Arthur Crier, a member of the doo-wop group The Halos. Sabu was the uncle of new jack swing/R&B singer Keith Sweat.

Steve Adorno has since become the drummer and bandleader of Fania recording artist Seguida, and SMI recording artist Devoshun. He is also a composer/producer with his own music label Onroda MusicWorks. He has composed music scores for two Off-Broadway plays, music scores for Nintendo video games, and two independent films.

GQ-percussionist, Kevin Zambrana, has since become a trusted associate to Mr-Q as President of ZPI Productions NYC.

Group frontman/primary songwriter Emanuel LeBlanc later signed with Capitol Records and recorded a solo album, Always Be Around, released in 1991. He still tours as GQ, and is widely known as "Mr. Q," an in-name tribute to GQ. In 1999, "Mr. Q" (as a solo performer), recorded a covers album A Tribute to Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart.[1]

Members
  • Emanuel Rahiem Leblanc
  • Keith "Sabu" Crier (died 2013)
  • Herb Lane
  • Paul Service (1978-1980)
  • Kenny Banks (1975-1978)
  • Steve Adorno (1980-2010)
  • Kevin J. Zambrana (1980-1982)

Discography

Albums
Year Title Label US Black Albums[4] U.S. Top 200[4]
1976 Soul on Your Side (as The Rhythm Makers) Vigor Records — —
1979 Disco Nights Arista Records 2 13
1980 Two 9 46
1981 Face to Face 18 140
1999 A Tribute to Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart ITP Records — —

Singles
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Record Label B-side Album
US Pop US Dance US R&B
1976 "Zone" (as The Rhythm Makers) — — 92 Vigor Records "Prime Cut" Soul on Your Side
1979 "Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)" 12 3 1 Arista Records "Boogie Oogie Oogie" Disco Nights
"Make My Dreams a Reality" — — 8 "This Happy Feeling"
"I Do Love You" 20 — 5 "Make My Dreams a Reality"
1980 "Standing Ovation" — 35 12 "Reasons for the Seasons" Two
"Sitting in the Park" 101 — 9 "It's Like That"
"G.Q. Down" — — — "It's Like That"
"Someday (In Your Life)" — — — "Don't Stop This Feeling"
1981 "Shake" — — 23 "Face to Face" Face to Face
1982 "Sad Girl" 93 — 39 "Shy Baby"
"Try Smurfin'" — — — "Try Smurfin'" (Instrumental)
1984 "You Are the One for Me" — — — Stadium Records "You Are The One For Me" (Dub version)
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References
  1. "G.Q. Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 219. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. Jet Magazine "G.Q. Drummer in Hospital After N.Y. Car Accident." June 12, 1980, p. 56. Retrieved 2-28-2016.
  4. Billboard, AllMusic
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