Fatback

Biography

The Fatback Band, later known simply as Fatback, was formed in New York City in 1970 by veteran session drummer Bill Curtis. Curtis, who had played with a range of prominent R&B and jazz musicians, sought to create a new groove by merging the 'fatback' jazz beat of New Orleans with West Indian and Caribbean rhythms, resulting in a unique blend of funk, jazz funk, and post-disco sounds. The original lineup included Curtis, guitarist Johnny King, bassist Johnny Flippin, trumpet player George Williams, saxophonist Earl Shelton, flautist George Adams, and keyboardist Gerry Thomas. Their early work was marked by energetic performances in New York clubs and cabarets, quickly earning them recognition for their innovative 'street funk' style.[1][2][3][4]

Fatback signed with Perception Records and achieved their first chart success with the single 'Street Dance' in 1973. Over the next decade, the band released a prolific series of albums, including 'Let's Do It Again,' 'People Music,' and 'Feel My Soul,' before moving to Event Records and later Spring/Polydor. Their sound evolved to incorporate more dance-oriented elements, contributing to the disco era with hits like '(Let's Do The) Spanish Hustle,' 'Party Time,' and 'The Booty.' In 1977, the group shortened its name to Fatback and continued to innovate, notably releasing 'King Tim III (Personality Jock)' in 1979, which is widely credited as the first commercially released rap single, predating the Sugarhill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight.'[1][3][4]

Fatback's legacy is significant in the development of funk, disco, and early hip-hop. The band is recognized for its genre-blending approach and for pioneering the integration of rap into recorded music. Their influence extends to later generations of musicians, and their tracks have been widely sampled in hip-hop and dance music. Fatback remains active, with Bill Curtis at the helm, and has released over 35 albums, maintaining their reputation for energetic live performances and musical innovation.[3][4]

Fun Facts

• Fatback's 'King Tim III (Personality Jock)' is often cited as the first commercially released rap single, predating 'Rapper's Delight' by the Sugarhill Gang by one week.
• The band's founder, Bill Curtis, received his nickname 'Fatback' from guitarist Eric Gale, who admired Curtis's funky drumbeat.
• Fatback has released over 35 albums, blending jazz, funk, R&B, disco, rap, and soul.
• Curtis and Thomas's co-written track 'Bring It Here' was sampled by the Beastie Boys for their hit 'Brass Monkey.'

Members

• Earl Shelton - saxophone (from 1970 until 1979)
• Fred Demery - saxophone (from 1977 until 1977)
• Fred Demery - saxophone (from 1979 until 1981)
• Deborah Cooper
• Bill Curtis
• Robert Damper
• Johnny Flippin
• Johnny King
• Gerry Thomas
• George Victory
• Michael Walker - lead vocals
• George Williams - trumpet
• Ed Jackson

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bill Doggett - Bill Curtis played drums for Doggett and learned from his R&B and jazz expertise. (Live performances, touring band) [1960s]
• King Curtis - Curtis joined King Curtis's band, gaining experience in jazz and R&B. (Live performances, touring band) [1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Johnny King - Original guitarist and vocalist, foundational member of Fatback Band. (Early albums ('Let's Do It Again', 'People Music')) [1970–1979]
• Johnny Flippin - Bassist, percussionist, and vocalist, key contributor to the band's groove. (Early and mid-period albums) [1971–1983]
• Gerry Thomas - Keyboardist and co-producer, helped shape the band's sound. (Production and performance on most Fatback albums) [1971–1985]
• Linda Blakely - Vocalist during the 1980s, contributed to the band's evolving sound. (Albums and live performances) [1982–1987]
• Wild Sugar - Produced by Curtis and Thomas, their track 'Bring It Here' was co-written by Curtis and Thomas. ('Bring It Here') [Early 1980s]

Artists Influenced

• Beastie Boys - Sampled Fatback's production ('Bring It Here') for their hit 'Brass Monkey.' ('Brass Monkey') [1986]
• Hip-hop artists - Fatback's 'King Tim III (Personality Jock)' is considered the first commercially released rap single, influencing the genre's development. (Early hip-hop singles) [1979 onward]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I Found Lovin' (With Love)
2. Backstrokin' (Hustle! The Ultimate Fatback)
3. Backstrokin' (Hot Box)
4. Yum Yum (Gimme Some) (Yum Yum)
5. Gotta Learn How to Dance (Yum Yum)
6. Snake (Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell's Sacred Rhythm Version Edit)
7. (Are You Ready) Do the Bus Stop (Hustle! The Ultimate Fatback)
8. Wicky Wacky (Keep on Steppin')
9. Mister Bass Man (Keep on Steppin')
10. Let the Drums Speak (Yum Yum)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #classic-pop-and-rock, #disco, #disco-rap