The Blackbyrds

The Blackbyrds are an American rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group, formed in Washington, D.C., in 1973 and reformed in 2012 by Keith Killgo.[1]

The Blackbyrds
OriginWashington, D.C., United States
GenresR&B, jazz-funk
Years active1973–1981, 2012–present
LabelsFantasy
Associated actsKOJO
MembersJoe Hall
Keith Killgo
Orville Saunders
Past membersAllan Barnes
Donald Byrd
Barney Perry
Kevin Toney
Jay Jones
Ray Armando
Oscar Brashear
Perk Jacobs
David Williams
Stephen Johnson
Gary Hart

History

The group was inspired by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) joined later. On "Rock Creek Park" and "Happy Music", Merry Clayton joined them on vocals.[2] They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. Their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm" received a Grammy nomination and sold over one million copies by May 1975. It was later awarded a gold disc.[3]

The Blackbyrds have influenced the hip-hop generation, with Gang Starr, Da Lench Mob, and Full Force sampling their music.[4] In particular, their 1975 song "Rock Creek Park" from the City Life album has been sampled numerous times by groups and artists such as MF DOOM, De La Soul, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, N.W.A, Massive Attack, Ice Cube, Heavy D, Nas and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Tone Lōc and Wiz Khalifa.[5]

Founding member Allan Barnes died on July 25, 2016, aged 66.[6]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations
  • 1978: Night Grooves (Fantasy)
  • 1989: Greatest Hits (Fantasy)
  • 2007: Happy Music: The Best of The Blackbyrds (Fantasy FCD-30194-2)

Singles
  • "Do It, Fluid" (1974) - R&B #23, Pop #69
  • "Walking in Rhythm" (1975) - R&B #4, Pop #6, Easy Listening #5, UK #23
  • "Flyin' High" (1975) - R&B #22, Pop #70, Easy Listening #25
  • "Happy Music" (1976) - R&B #3, Pop #19
  • "Rock Creek Park" (1976) - R&B #37, Pop #93
  • "Time Is Movin'" (1977) - R&B #15, Pop #95
  • "Party Land" (1977) - R&B #30
  • "Soft And Easy" (1977) - R&B #20
  • "Supernatural Feeling" (1978) - R&B #19
  • "What We Have Is Right" (1980) - R&B #38
  • "Love Don't Strike Twice" (1981) - R&B #52
  • "Dancin' Dancin" (1981) - Dance #59

All singles released on the Fantasy label.

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References
  1. "The Blackbyrds". Discogs. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  2. "The Blackbyrds : Rock Creek Park". Songfacts.com. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  3. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 354. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. "The Blackbyrds: Talking In Rhythm". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  5. Thompson, Dave (2001). Funk. Backbeat Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-87930-629-7
  6. Stryker, Mark (July 29, 2016). "Allan Barnes, soulful Detroit saxophonist, dies at 66". Detroit Free Press.
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