Wreckin' Crew

Wreckin' Crew

The Wreckin' Crew was a nine piece funk band that was founded in Chicago, IL in 1977. The genesis of the Wreckin Crew began with bass guitar: Jack Chatman, lead guitarist: Nick Colionne and drummer: Timothy Austin. The trio was the rhythm section for the legendary Staple Singers. They added Michael Avery as lead singer, Wilber Crosby as lead guitarist, Anthony Space and Lonnell Dantzier as keyboardist, Michael Jackson as saxophonist, Mark Rodger as trombonist, Bridget Paig as trumpetist and Dick Flower as lead and background vocals.

The Wreckin Crew was discovered in 1980 by Tom Lewis. Tom Lewis is the owner of the world famous Two Below Disco and Starville Records. They were managed by Carl Davis. They were promoted by Gus Redmond, who also promoted the Chi Lite, The Dells, Walter Jackson and Tyrone Davis.

In 1981 the Wreckin Crew released their first single called Found The Groove. With the help Chicago radio stations: WGCI, WBMX, WJPC, WVON, WXOL, WXFM, WNOV and WWCA in Gary, Indiana, Found The Groove became an instant hit.

Found The Groove was a 1981 Billboard magazine black singles pick hit and the top selling soul single in the midwest. The Wreckin' Crew quickly became the hottest live band in the midwest. The Wreckin Crew were best known for their live shows, they played funk, soul, jazz, rock, gospel and the blues, all rolled up into one show. They went from the opening act to head linng the show overnight. The Wreckin Crew had a style that was similar to Earth Wind and Fire and the GAP band.

The following year they released a funky dance single called Chance To Dance, produce by Jim Porter for Erect Records. Chance To Dance made its debut on Dick Clark's American Bandstand as pick hit of the week. It also debuted on Billboards black singles chart at number 84. Chance To Dance appeared in some of the top dance mixes of 1982. Including Studio 57 mega mix on BMC Records and WBMX dance mix in Chicago.

In 1983 the Wreckin Crew release a rare gospel track called Pick Up The Pieces, written by Thad Bosley, the former outfeilder for the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs. The Wreckin Crew went on to release three more dance singles called Set It On Out, Pixie Dust and Open Up Your Love (Wide). The Pixie Dust dance single made its debut at number 88 on Billboard black singles charts. In 1984 the Wreckin Crew released their first LP called Pixie Dust. Produce by Buddy Scott, for Sound Of Florida Records.

From 1977- to 1985 the Wreckin' Crew had tour all over the world sharing the stage with legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, The Chi Lite, The Dells, The Stylistics, Ray Goodman And Brown, Walter Jackson, Zapp, Slave, Evelyn King, Melba Moore, Midnighr Star, Peobo Bryson and many more.

From four week tours of Africa, Japan and Canada to playing at benefit concerts to help feed the hungry for the Rev. Jessie Jackson, to playing at the campus of Illinois State University, The Park West, The Auditorium Theater and the Cooper Box 2 hosted by WV-103's legendary dj Tom Joyner. The Wreckin' Crew have been there and done it .The Wreckin Crew's music can also be heard on the playlists of some of the top DJs from around the world.

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