As a child, my uncle would blast music from his stereo with huge speakers. On this particular day, I noticed an album cover with a melted record on the front. I heard a song that had me snapping my fingers and moving to the beat, the song was Goove Line. Heatwave is a sensational group of vocalists, musicians, and song writers. Johnny Wilder's silky vocals, the band's driving beat, and the athletic and acrobatic choreography makes them memorable.
The original members were stationed in Germany during service for the US Army. They would frequent social clubs to play pool and sing. In the early days, they called themselves The Cashmeres. The Cashmeres met a group of females singers called The Black Pearls and merged into one group to emulate The Temptations and The Supremes. The group disbanded when three members of the Cashmeres left for England and Vietnam, The Black Pearls soon left afterwards. Johnny Wilder and one member left over from the Cashmeres regrouped and formed the Noblemen, soon after, they found a back up band and renamed themselves J. Wilder and the Soul Sessions.
When Johnnie's military service ended, the group went through many personnel changes and additions. The remaining members of J. Wilder and the Soul Sessions combined and became the nucleus of Heatwave. (Original members: Eric "Funky Man" Joseph (Bass), Eric Johns (Keyboards), Jessie Whitten (Guitar), Barbara Bell (Vocals), Tommy Harris (Drums, Vocals), and Johnny Wilder (Lead Vocals). The group got the name Heatwave from days of rehearsing in an old building in Germany with a radiator that ran all year long. Rehearsals were brutal and very hot.
Before long, Heatwave was in search of a female vocalist and keyboardist. A young woman named Poochie (vocalist), an Englishman Rod Temperton (Keyboardist, song writer), and Mario Mantese (Bass) joined the band. With the addition of Rod Temperton, opportunities in Great Britain performances and developed a following in England. After two tours, one female singer quit, but they gained two additional singers Latisha Harmon and Audrey Hayes briefly joined. During this time, Heatwave suffered the tragic loss of Jesse Whiten, who lost his life in an accident. The band eventually regrouped and the magic of music healed and flowed.
While playing in Switzerland, drummer Tommy Harris wanted to take a break from the band. Drummer Ernest Berger aka "Bilbo" shortly became a member. After the group landed in London, Eric Johns Rasmussen (Guitar) and Keith Wilder was added to create a distinct sound. Heatwave was working more in England and moved to Northern England.
The first demos were recorded and all songs were written by Rod Temperton. Once recorded and printed, the demos were shopped around with hopes of landing a recording contract. Their popularity grew across Europe especially in London as an opening act for well established groups.
Heatwave garnered interest from a small independent record label GTO RECORDS. GTO loved their sound while major labels passed on them. They soon signed with GTO. Their freshman effort Too Hot to Handle first single Super Soul received little airplay. The second release, No Half Steppin' was popular in dance clubs and received moderate airplay. The third release Boogie Nightswas a number one hit in Europe that paved the way to America. Later that year, the ballot Always and Forever demonstrated the band's versatility.
Heatwave was recording their sophomore effort Central Heating in London while Boogie Nights was rising on the American charts. CBS RECORDS became interested in the band and invited the group to perfom in front of a live audience of 16,000 fans at a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr birthday celebration. Eventually, the band negotiated a record deal.
Thanks to the grueling touring schedules, their popularity grew in America and increased playing of their newest single Groovline and a expansive press and media coverage boast this exciting, energetic band into a must see while Mind Blowing Decisions was climbing the charts.
With heightened visibility, Heatwave's tour schedule were packed with them opening for headliners in America. They received extensive press coverage and increased airplay on American radio. During the recording of the third album, another hard blow was dealt to the band. Johnny Wilder was involved in a traumatic car accident which left him paralyzed from the neck down. Johnny was unable to rejoin the bandfor a year. Hot Property was completed while he was recouping in the hospital. JD Nichols was added to be lead vocals of the group, he later went on to sing lead vocals for the Commodores. Johnny's remarkable recovery made it possible for him to tour with the guys on occasions for performances in America or Germany. Johnny went back into the studio with the band to record Candles. Heatwave went full steam ahead to finish the alblum with Wilder's vocals and Temperton's strong song writing skills.
Heatwave's story is a tale of sheer will and determination from humble beginnings an tragic circumstances that makes them unsung heroes among many. They are truly A Star of a Story.
DISCOGRAPHY http://www.heatwave72.com/albums.htm
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