Artist:The Gap Band
Song:I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops!)
Album:20th Century Masters:The Millenium Collection:The Best Of The Gap Band
The Gap Band was one of the top funk groups of the late 70s and into the 80s. Their music is constantly sampled by hip hop guys. The group consisted of the three Wilson brothers from Tulsa, OK. Charlie Wilson was lead singer (born Oct. 9, 1942) along with Ronnie & Robert. Daddy was a preacher so they grew up singing in church. They started performing in Tulsa clubs as teens. They called themselves the Greenwood, Archer & Pine Street Band after three main streets in Tulsa but shortened it to The Gap Band. Tulsa native Leon Russell signed them to his Shelter label. The 1974 album Magician's Holiday was great R & B but didn't sell. Their big break came when singer DJ Rogers introduced them to nightclub owner Lonnie Simmons. He was looking to start a label and The Gap Band was his first signing. Simmons helped write & produce their material. Their 1979 album Gap Band II spawned four hits including I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance AKA Oops Upside Your Head. The guys heard some fans in Pittsburgh chanting the groove and they picked up on it. They continued to have hits and are now considered icons of funk despite the goofy cowboy costumes. This budget comp is a good intro to their music. The Gap Band still reunites occasionally but Charlie Wilson is still a successful recording artist today. His 2005 CD Charlie, Last Name Wilson reached #11 on the Black Album charts. His new CD Supa Sexy will be out this year. Lonnie Simmons still has his Total Experience label and last surfaced in 2004. Here's The Gap Band performing I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops!) in 1979.
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