The Ritchie Family

The Ritchie Family was an American vocal group based in Philadelphia that achieved several hits during the disco era.

The Ritchie Family
OriginPhiladelphia, United States
GenresDisco
Years active1975–1984
LabelsRCA, Marlin
Associated actsJacques Morali, Honey & the Bees, Gypsy Lane
MembersCassandra Wooten
Cheryl Mason-Dorman
Renee Guilory-Wearing
Past membersGwendolyn Oliver
Jacqui Smith-Lee
Theodosia 'Dodie' Draher
Ednah Holt
Vera Brown
Linda James

Background

The three original members were not related; the group was a creation of Jacques Morali who also formed the Village People. The group took its name from record producer Richie Rome, who added a T to the name; it originally consisted of three singers: Cassandra Ann Wooten and Gwendolyn Oliver (who eventually married musician Fred Wesley) of the girl group Honey & the Bees, and Cheryl Mason Jacks. Their manager was Jimmy Bishop, a successful Philadelphia radio personality who also managed Barbara Mason. Morali remembered Wooten and Oliver had done some session work for him, and he called them a few years later when he wanted to form a group and the Ritchie Family was born.

Following Brazil, they had success with the Arabian Knights album. Their follow up albums Life Is Music, which followed a 1930s theme, and African Queens were only mediocre successes. Each of these four albums was a concept album featuring songs of a similar theme as suggested by each album title. Each album also featured a long medley, usually running from 15 to 20 minutes.

Career
Brazil

Their first hit single, a reworking of the 1930s song "Brazil" reached the Top 20 in the United States in 1975. It would also later be nominated for the Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 1976 Grammy awards but was beaten by "The Hustle by Van McCoy.[1] The album, also titled Brazil, sold well. By November 1 of 1975, it had been on the Billboard Album Chart for five weeks and had moved up from #72 to #62.[2] Between then and the 6th of December the album did reach #52. By then it had moved down from the previous week's position of #60 to #102.[3] The album did give them another dance hit with "The Peanut Vendor".[4] This first album featured vocals by session singers, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson and Evette Benton. There was no actual group called The Ritchie Family at this stage.[5][6]

Arabian Nights

Cassandra Wooten and Nadine Felder from Honey & the Bees had done some background vocal work for Jacques Morali a couple of years prior and he contacted them as he wanted them to perform live as The Ritchie Family. Not wanting to do secular music anymore, Felder wasn't interested. Wooten and Cheryl Mason-Jacks had been doing some work together in a community theater group. With Wotton's former Honey & the Bee's bandmate, Gwendolyn Oliver they were looking to do background vocal music and started practicing for a few weeks until Wooten got a call back from Morali. So then in 1975, they went down to Sigma Sound Studios to audition. Singing a few bars of Brazil they got the job and became the face of The Ritchie Family. In 1976, they began recording the next album which was Arabian Nights album.[7] The single from the album was "The Best Disco in Town". The song was a medley of recent disco songs linked together with an original chorus got to #17 on the Pop charts and #1 on the Dance charts[8] and it became a worldwide hit. Described in the book Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco by Alan Jones and Jussi Kantonen as magnificent from start to finish, Arabian Knights has a travelogue type of theme to it. It begins at Istanbul and then goes to the "Lawrence of Arabia" theme and then to the finish at a Persian Market. It had a Hollywood feel with lively percussion, disco glamour and uncharacteristic male voices helping with the vocal chanting.[9]

Life is Music

Phil Hurtt who had co-produced Honey & the Bees material with Bunny Sigler had a good understanding of what qualities the vocalists could bring to the group. With their individual style he knew what they would be like together with Gwendolyn's sweet tone, Cassandra's soul and earthiness and Cheryl's more powerful vocals and embodiment of those two other qualities. So he was granted more time to work with them on their vocal arrangements. The respective talents of each vocalist were highlighted as well. The album sessions were kept within the allotted times and six songs were included. The result was a disco-pop album with some elements of Philly soul. This was also the last album that Ritchie Rome was involved with and he quit around this time. His replacement was Horace Ott for further album releases.[10] Released in 1977 Life Is Music came out on Marlin 2203. By February 12 it was at #184 on the Record World Top 200.[11] By the 15th of March it was at #13 on the album chart in Italy.[12] By May 10th it was at #10.[13] The single "Life is Music" peaked at #102 on the Pop charts, #8 on the Dance charts and #74 on the R&B charts.[14]

African Queens

The album was another themed release with a historical nod to three African queens. With the rhythm backing by the group Gypsy Lane the album had a bit more of the driving Euro type snare drum beat to it than the lush Ritchie sound of the previous releases.[15] In July 1977, it was announced in Billboard that TK Productions was embarking on a massive campaign for the group's African Queens album. The campaign involved mounting an African Queens billboard in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, African Queens kites being flown around the country with kite flying contests being linked to radio stations. There were also African Queens canvas tote bags, tee shirts. Included were full-color photos of Cassandra Wooten, Gwendolyn Oliver and Cheryl Mason Jacks dressed as African queens, Nefertiti, Cleopatra and Queen of Sheba.[16] The album also included the song once done by Martin Denny, "Quiet Village".[17]

Dismissal of original members and their replacement

By 1978, the three members, Wooten, Oliver and Mason-Jacks were dismissed without warning. It came as a shock to them as one day they were there and the next day they weren't. Even their songwriter Phil Hurtt was just as surprised. He went to the studio to attend the recording sessions and there were three new members in front of him. They had been replaced by Jacqui Smith-Lee, Theodosia "Dodie" Draher and Ednah Holt. It was believed that Morali had planned not to renew their contract and he had already been looking for some replacements. Gwendolyn Oliver stepped away from performing and Cassandra Wooten and Cheryl Mason-jacks later teamed up with Michelle Simpson and formed CasMiJac.[18][19]

Album with the new line up

The 1978 album, American Generation, featuring the new line-up was a slight departure from disco and more in the style of Europop, although one of the singles from it was called "I Feel Disco Good." The group abandoned the exotic and highly kitsch costumes of their earlier incarnation in favour of a more contemporary, sexually provocative style. For the next album, Bad Reputation, they brought in Victor Willis (original lead singer of Village People) joining Jacques Morali in writing the material. Holt soon departed (and formed her own group Ednah Holt and Starluv) and was replaced by lead singer Vera Brown; the group enjoyed success with "Put Your Feet to the Beat."

The Ritchie Family line-up of Brown, Smith-Lee and Draher next recorded the Give Me A Break album, which contained the hits "Give Me A Break" and "Never Be Able to Set You Free." Continuing with album releases, the next was a markedly different partnership with Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi, the pair behind Change. The album they recorded was I'll Do My Best For You Baby; following that was All Night All Right (1983). By this time, Dodie Draher had left the group and newcomer Linda James took over her spot.

In 1980, they joined Village People for the movie Can't Stop the Music. The film was a resounding failure and still appears on many critics' "worst ever" lists; however, the soundtrack album sold well in some parts of the world. Disco music had peaked in major territories such as the USA.

After deciding to split, when group owner Jacques Morali discovered he had AIDS, the group continued as Vera Brown and the Rich Girls for one song called "Too Much Too Fast" that failed completely. Vera Brown has reformed The Ritchie Family, with Dodie Draher and Jacqui Smith-Lee, but without further releases. With original members Wooten, Mason-Jacks and Oliver, the group achieved its highest grossing sales.

Work outside The Ritchie Family

Cas Mijac

Cas Mijac is the name given to a background vocal group which was made up of Michelle Simpson, Cassandra Wooten and Cheryl Mason Jacks.[20] Wooten and Jacks tried to re-group after their leaving The Ritchie Family. In 1980, Wooten, Mason-Jacks joined Michelle Simpson and sang background vocals on John Lennon's Double Fantasy album.[21][22] Working with Tony Davilio, they first worked on "Starting Over". They were set up in the studio about three feet away from him around a suspended microphone. Because the three ladies didn't read music, Davilio was at the piano giving them their notes. He had to do it a few times and giving each of them their notes a few bars at a time. This method was used in the recording process as well. This can take time. Whenever one of Cas Mijac had to do a retake, the engineer would have to stop the tape and re-cue it back to the point of recording. After the couple of minutes it took to do this, they would sometimes forget their notes which frustrated Davilio who having been a smoker was suffering the effects of nicotine withdrawal. He would forget their names, confusing Cassandra with Cheryl. With the session continuing and both parties forgetting things he was getting frustrated and they were getting annoyed and things were getting unpleasant. While working on the song "Woman" he continued with the misnaming. Meanwhile Lennon had some in to the studio and was standing behind him and slapped him "upside the head".[23] The ladies were discussing going on the road with Lennon, but his being killed ended that opportunity. After that they put priority on new careers and their families.[24]

Other

Cheryl Mason Dorman sang a song "Whatever He Says, Just Do It!" which appears on the Christian-themed Pacita's Friends album which also featured Lenora Davis, Carrie Lloyd and Roz Christian. The album was released in 2007.[25]

Gwendolyn Oliver (married to musician Fred Wesley[26]) opted for the quiet life, is a committed Christian who is very involved in her church and teaches the Bible.[27]

Reformation

Original members Cassandra Wooten, Cheryl Mason-Dorman and new member Renee Guilory-Wearing have reformed the group and are now touring. The Ritchie Family is featured in Jim Arena's book First Ladies of Disco, released in June 2013.[28] In July 2016, The Ritchie Family released a single "Ice" on Martha Wash's Purple Rose recording label.[29] The song was later remixed and released as a maxi-single of six tracks.[30]

Members timeline
1975–78 1978–79 1979–82 1982–84 2011-present
Gwendolyn Oliver Jacqui Smith-Lee Jacqui Smith-Lee Jacqui Smith-Lee Renée Guillory-Wearing
Cassandra Ann Wooten Theodosia 'Dodie' Draher Theodosia 'Dodie' Draher Linda James Cassandra Ann Wooten
Cheryl Mason Jacks Ednah Holt Vera Brown Vera Brown Cheryl Mason Dorman
(formerly Cheryl Mason jacks)

Discography

Studio albums
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US
[31]		 US
R&B
[31]		 AUS
[32]		 CAN
[33]		 NLD
[34]		 NOR
[35]		 SWE
[36]
1975 Brazil 53 26 — 36 — — — 20th Century
1976 Arabian Nights 30 23 3 7 13 17 44 Marlin
1977 Life Is Music 100 — 23 49 — — 35
African Queens 164 57 66 — — — —
1978 American Generation 148 — 78 — — — —
1979 Bad Reputation — — 76 — — — — Casablanca
1980 Give Me a Break — — — — — — —
1981 I'll Do My Best 203 36 — — — — — RCA Victor
1983 All Night All Right — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums
  • Greatest Hits (1990, Unidisc)
  • The Best Disco in Town: The Best of the Ritchie Family (1994, Hot Productions)

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[31]		 US
R&B
[31]		 US
Dan
[31]		 AUS
[32]		 CAN
[33]		 GER
[38]		 NLD
[34]		 NOR
[35]		 SWE
[36]		 UK
[39]
1975 "Brazil" 11 13 1 65 9 47 25 — — 41 Brazil
"Peanut Vendor" / "Frenesi" (medley) — — 4 — — — — — — —
"I Want to Dance with You (Dance with Me)" 84 74 18 — 80 — — — — —
1976 "The Best Disco in Town" [A] 17 12 1 3 15 22 2 10 13 10 Arabian Nights
1977 "Life Is Music" 102 74 8 55 50 50 — — — — Life Is Music
"Lady Luck" — — — — — — — — —
"Disco Blues" — — — — — — — — —
"Quiet Village" — 68 1 — — — — — — — African Queens
"African Queens" — — — — — — — — —
"Summer Dance" — — — — — — — — —
1978 "American Generation" — — 19 — — 28 8 — — 49 American Generation
"I Feel Disco Good" — — — 26 — — — — —
"Music Man" — — — — — — — — —
1979 "It's a Man's World" — — — — — — — — — — Bad Reputation
"Put Your Feet to the Beat" — — 14 — — — — — — —
"Where Are the Men" — — — — — — — — — —
1980 "Give Me a Break" — 80 25 91 — — 15 — 17 — Give Me a Break
"All My Love" — — — — — — — — — —
"I'll Never Be Able to Set You Free" — — — — — — — — — —
1982 "I'll Do My Best (For You Baby)" — 27 17 — — — — — — — I'll Do My Best
1983 "All Night All Right" — 77 — — — — — — — — All Night All Right
1987 "The Best Disco in Town (Original Remix 87)" — — — — — — 93 — — — N/A
2016 "Ice" — — 40 — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
  • A "The Best Disco in Town" also charted at No. 4 on the Disco Action chart as part of all tracks from the album Arabian Nights.

Soundtracks
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gollark: Okay, never mind, the slice there is fine, I did it wrong in *another* thing which somehow worked.
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gollark: I came up with the algorithm and decided it was very cool and immediately needed implementing.
gollark: Possibly not if you can't do imports either.

References
  1. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - page 175 The Ritchie Family, 1975-1978
  2. Billboard - BILLBOARD 200 The week of November 1, 1975
  3. Billboard - BILLBOARD 200 The week of December 6, 1975
  4. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - page 175 The Ritchie Family, 1975-1978
  5. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - Page 176 The Ritchie Family 1975-1978
  6. Discogs - The Ritchie Family ‎– Brazil, Credits
  7. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - Page 176 The Ritchie Family 1975-1978
  8. Music VG.com - The Ritchie Family Top Songs
  9. Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco by Alan Jones and Jussi Kantonen - The Ritchie Family
  10. Pop Matters, 06 Aug 2018 - MUSIC, 'African Queens' and Disco Royalty: An Interview with the Ritchie Family - By Christian John Wikane
  11. Record World, February 12, 1977 - Page 41 151-200 ALBUM CHART
  12. Billboard, April 2, 1977 - Page 63 Billboard Hits Of The World, Italy
    (Courtesy Germano Ruscitto) as of 3/15/77, LPs
  13. Billboard, May 28, 1977 - Page 71 Billboard Hits Of The World, Italy
    (Courtesy Germano Ruscitto)
    As of 5/10/77 ALBUMS
  14. Music VF.com - [The Ritchie Family Top Songs, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1977]
  15. Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco by Alan Jones and Jussi Kantonen - The Ritchie Family
  16. Billboard, July 9, 1977 - 1977-07-09.pdf Page 16 Massive TK Promo On Ritchie Family
  17. Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco by Alan Jones and Jussi Kantonen - The Ritchie Family
  18. Pop Matters, 06 Aug 2018 - MUSIC, 'African Queens' and Disco Royalty: An Interview with the Ritchie Family - By Christian John Wikane
  19. "AllButforgottenOldies.net - The Ritchie Family - Songs, About
  20. Album Liner Notes - Double Fantasy (1980)
  21. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - page 181 The Ritchie Family, 1975-1978
  22. Still the Greatest: The Essential Songs of The Beatles' Solo Careers, Page 159 1980: Other Plans WOMAN LENNON
  23. The Lennon Sessions, By Tony Davilio, Mary Vicari - Page 88 AIN'T THAT A SLAP IN THE HEAD
  24. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - page 181 The Ritchie Family, 1975-1978
  25. Apple Music - Pacita's Friends
  26. Girl Groups: Fabulous Females Who Rocked the World, By John Clemente- Page 30 HONEY and the BEES
  27. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers, By James Arena - Page 181 The Ritchie Family, 1975-1978
  28. James Arena. "First Ladies of Disco: 29 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  29. Ice – Single by The Ritchie Family on Apple Music – iTunes. iTunes Store. Retrieved January 29, 2019
  30. Ice Remixes by The Ritchie Family on Apple Music – iTunes. iTunes Store. Retrieved January 29, 2019
  31. "US Charts > The Ritchie Family". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  32. David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  33. "CAN Charts > The Ritchie Family". RPM. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  34. "NLD Charts > The Ritchie Family". MegaCharts. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  35. "NOR Charts > The Ritchie Family". VG-lista. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  36. "SWE Charts > The Ritchie Family". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  37. "CAN Certifications > The Ritchie Family". Music Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  38. "GER Charts > The Ritchie Family". Media Control Charts. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  39. "UK Charts > The Ritchie Family". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
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