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MMil^ t Star Defiveans Sound Known As ^edmo-Funk”
By Loretta Manago
Entertainment Editor
“Techno-Funk.” Defined, the
word means the usage of the
latest in electronic percussion
sounds and keyboard technolo
gy. Translated into the name of
the group that delivers this
sound of the 80s, the word means
Midnight Star.
Think bade to the grooves, “No
Parking On The Dance Floor,”
and “Freak-A-Zoid” and you can
almost hear the electronic rhy
thms ushering forth sounds too
diverse to be isolated to one
instrument. And what about Mid
night Star’s latest hit, “Opera
tor?” It’s a funky electric boog
ie crafted especially to bring out
the rock and roll/ .
Proving that versatility is a
part of success, Midnight Star
easily breaks away from techno
funk and through ballads like
“Slow Jam” and “Today My
Love” captivates another audi
ence, as well as the rockers. !&#».
While still members at Ken
tucky State University, Midnight
Star was formed nearly 10 years
ago. In the early stages of the
band’s existence rehearsal often
took place in the off-limits con
fines of band leader’s Reggie
Calloway’s dormitory room. It
wasn’t long before the group
realized that it was music that
they were interested in and not
the formal education college
provided. Their next course of
action was to pursue music on a
full-time basis.
Upon hearing about a talent
showcase in New York, Midnight
Star, packed their belongings,
which included all equipment,
stereos and dyno gyms and
| headed for the Big Apple. ^
Midnight Stan must have made
some impression on the sponsors
of the talent showcase. Three ,
thousand miles away, In Los
Angdes, Solar president, Dick
Griffey heard of the group’s
performance and went to see for
jMIDNIGHT STAR
"Coming to Charlotte
nimseii. What he saw was a
group that possessed Incredible
showmanship, songwriting skills
and a mastery of a large array of
instruments. Griffey’s next
move was to sign Midnight Star
to his record company.
Members of the group include:
g^’ kr
Lovelace, Bill Simmons, Bo Wat
son and Belinda Lipscomb.
The leader of the group, Reg
gie CaliOffOg^ believes very
strongly that dreams can come
true. He tea seen his dream
growin^lMUl and popularity of
MicbiighAp^. A highly skilled
musician, Calloway plays trum
'gadJS^MHjkeyboards, perch
sion and kings background
gift as a produc*
hAi i^Khits for the Whisner
Vmmt Calloway,
ieader ia
afiKpiusician. Tn
.Hg trom
euoKn, v
singing background vocals, Cal
loway is\ branching out into
producing and songwriting.
Jeff Cooper is master of the
keyboard and the guitar, but he’s
also discovering a joy for ex
perimentation in electronics and
computers. He has co-produced
songs for both Carrie Lucas, and
the Deele.
From piano to tuba to bass
guitar Kenneth Gant, {flays them
all, including keyboards and
trombone. When not playing,
Gant is busy arranging tunes and
writing songs. He has contribut
ed to the albums of many
artists, including The Whispers.
Melvin Gentry’s background is
full of musicians. Although he is
one of three lead singers for
Midnight Star, he plays guitar,
bass guitar, drums and percus
sions.
Music started for Bobby
Lovelace at the age of 12. A
drummer and percussionist,
Lovelace played with Cameo and
Mantrd before joining Midnight
Star. Immersing himself further
into the music industry, Love
lace is polishing up his song
writing skills and concentrating
on producing. .
At a very early age, teach
ers were calling Bill Simmons
a “child prodigy.” At the age of
five he was a self-taught key
board player and he mesmer
ized his teachers with his mu
sical aptitude. For Midnight Star
Simmons plays saxophone, per
cussions, as well as keyboards,
but he is really interested into
getting involved with producing
and arranging.
At the reign on lead vocals, Bo
Watson has been singing and.
playing since the age of three. It
is his songwriting and keyboard
skills that are displayed on the
hit, “Operator.” Watson has also
worked with The Whispers and
Klymaxx on a number of tunes.
With Belinda Lipscomb as lead
vocalist the talents of Midnight
Star gel together for an effect
that spells success.
On April 7 Midnight Star,
along with Shalamar and Kly
maxx will be in concert at the
Coliseum, beginning at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $12.50.
Apollo Special
Bill Cosby will host a three
hour comedy-and-con temporary
music event celebrating the 50th
anniversary and official re
opening of New York City’s
world-famous Apollo Theatre, on
NBC-TV in May.
The gala special is to be
produced by Motown Produc
tions, whose association with the
Apollo dates back to 1962, when
Motown’s Motor Town Revue
first visited the theatre. Stars
presented by Motown during the
1960s - when Motown became
the Apollo’s major source of
headliner acts - include Stevie
Wonder, Diana Ross and the
Supremes, the late Marvin
Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the
Miracles, Martha and the
Vandellas and The Temptations.