Fizzy Qwick
Encyclopedia
Fizzy Qwick is an American
singer and songwriter
who has recorded in various musical styles ranging from R&B
to New Wave
. Her recordings from the early 1980s have become popular among fans of Northern Soul
since the early 21st century.
, the daughter of Edward Z. (October 27, 1925–June 24, 1997) and Ethel (née Devine) Lewis, she grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area
.
Lewis recorded under her own name either as a member of the R&B
group Bridge or as a solo artist. Bridge evolved from an earlier group called Vitamin E, that was produced by Norman Connors
. The new group was a septet that featured both teenager Derick Hughes and Lewis on vocals. Lewis also contributed to the group as a songwriter.
In the early 1980s she formed a New Wave
trio called Tiggi Clay, allegedly named after a notorious bully (who is portrayed in their initial music video). For this group she adopted the colorful stage name Fizzy Qwick. Her bandmates had the equally colorful names of William "Billy" Peaches (real name: Hilary Leon Thompson) and Romeo "Breath" McCall (real name: De Wayne Sweet). In 1983, Tiggi Clay signed with the newly formed Motown rock subsidiary, Morocco. The album jacket from their self-titled debut showed the trio only in silhouette, presumably to create a mystique and/or conceal their racial identity. A similar technique was used with other label artists such as white soul singer Teena Marie
and Berry Gordy's son Rockwell
on their initial releases. In fact, Rockwell's smash hit, "Somebody's Watching Me
" was peaking on the charts at the same time as Tiggi Clay's initial single, "Flashes" entered Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Unfortunately, despite positive reviews from trade publications including Billboard
, their album was not commercially successful.
Two years later, with the Morocco label already shut down, Fizzy Qwick released a self-titled solo album on the parent label. It was co-produced by Tiggi Clay bandmates Peaches and McCall in association with Gregg Crockett. "Hangin' Out," the initial single off of the album (written by McCall) was a significant departure from the Tiggi Clay album. It had more of a pop feel, somewhat reminiscent of 1960's girl groups. Billboard
said the song had "a lot of the spirit of the Supremes
' greatest." The music publication selected it as a "Pick of Week," and went on to describe it as "a class debut for the solo chanteuse." Unfortunately, "Hangin' Out" was unable to rise above the lower third of the R&B charts. The B-side was the jazz-flavored "Angels in the Snow," which is extremely rare because the song does not appear on the album. The follow-up single, "You Want It Your Way, Always" (co-written by Lester Abrams
, perhaps best known for the Doobie Brothers hit, "Minute by Minute") had a grittier sound reminiscent of Tina Turner
. The latter song was also highlighted by a guitar solo by Joe Satriani
. However, it received only regional airplay and failed to make the charts.
In 2000, the UK-based label First Experience Records, released "Crying For Love" a CD of demo recordings of the R&B septet Bridge. These were the recordings that landed Bridge a deal at the CBS subsidiary Bang twenty years earlier. Despite the unfinished quality of some of the tracks, this release has become a favorite of fans of Northern Soul
. Although the proposed album at Bang was never completed, at least two of the demo tracks were recorded by other artists prior to the CD's release. The song "Next to Me" was covered by drummer Kenneth Nash on his 1986 album, "Mr. Ears." Jean Carne
and Glenn Jones
recorded "Sweet and Wonderful" on Carne's 1981 album of the same name. The latter track was co-written by Fizzy Qwick under her birth name, Debravon Lewis.
Most recently, she has written for female vocalist U.Niq.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who has recorded in various musical styles ranging from R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
to New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
. Her recordings from the early 1980s have become popular among fans of Northern Soul
Northern soul
Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged from the British mod scene, initially in northern England in the late 1960s. Northern soul mainly consists of a particular style of black American soul music based on the heavy beat and fast tempo of the mid-1960s Tamla Motown sound...
since the early 21st century.
Biography
Born Debravon Lewis on February 9, 1953 in Solano County, CaliforniaSolano County, California
Solano County is a county located in Bay-Delta region of the U.S. state of California, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento and is one of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. The county's population was reported by the U.S. Census to be 413,344 in 2010...
, the daughter of Edward Z. (October 27, 1925–June 24, 1997) and Ethel (née Devine) Lewis, she grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
.
Lewis recorded under her own name either as a member of the R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
group Bridge or as a solo artist. Bridge evolved from an earlier group called Vitamin E, that was produced by Norman Connors
Norman Connors
Norman Connors is an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, producer, and headliner, who has led some influential jazz and R&B groups. He also achieved several big R&B hits of the day, especially with love ballads.-Biography:...
. The new group was a septet that featured both teenager Derick Hughes and Lewis on vocals. Lewis also contributed to the group as a songwriter.
In the early 1980s she formed a New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
trio called Tiggi Clay, allegedly named after a notorious bully (who is portrayed in their initial music video). For this group she adopted the colorful stage name Fizzy Qwick. Her bandmates had the equally colorful names of William "Billy" Peaches (real name: Hilary Leon Thompson) and Romeo "Breath" McCall (real name: De Wayne Sweet). In 1983, Tiggi Clay signed with the newly formed Motown rock subsidiary, Morocco. The album jacket from their self-titled debut showed the trio only in silhouette, presumably to create a mystique and/or conceal their racial identity. A similar technique was used with other label artists such as white soul singer Teena Marie
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
and Berry Gordy's son Rockwell
Rockwell (musician)
Rockwell is an R&B performer who was signed to the Motown label.-Biography:...
on their initial releases. In fact, Rockwell's smash hit, "Somebody's Watching Me
Somebody's Watching Me
"Somebody's Watching Me" is the debut single by R&B artist Rockwell, released on the Motown label in 1984. The song's lyrics relate the narrator's paranoid fear of being followed and watched. It featured former Motown artists Michael Jackson on the chorus and Jermaine Jackson on additional backing...
" was peaking on the charts at the same time as Tiggi Clay's initial single, "Flashes" entered Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Unfortunately, despite positive reviews from trade publications including Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, their album was not commercially successful.
Two years later, with the Morocco label already shut down, Fizzy Qwick released a self-titled solo album on the parent label. It was co-produced by Tiggi Clay bandmates Peaches and McCall in association with Gregg Crockett. "Hangin' Out," the initial single off of the album (written by McCall) was a significant departure from the Tiggi Clay album. It had more of a pop feel, somewhat reminiscent of 1960's girl groups. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
said the song had "a lot of the spirit of the Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
' greatest." The music publication selected it as a "Pick of Week," and went on to describe it as "a class debut for the solo chanteuse." Unfortunately, "Hangin' Out" was unable to rise above the lower third of the R&B charts. The B-side was the jazz-flavored "Angels in the Snow," which is extremely rare because the song does not appear on the album. The follow-up single, "You Want It Your Way, Always" (co-written by Lester Abrams
Lester Abrams
Lester Abrams is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer who has played with such artists as B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Peabo Bryson, Quincy Jones, Manfred Mann, Brian Auger, The Average White Band, The Doobie Brothers, Rufus and many others. Two of his co-compositions appeared on the Grammy...
, perhaps best known for the Doobie Brothers hit, "Minute by Minute") had a grittier sound reminiscent of Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
. The latter song was also highlighted by a guitar solo by Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
. However, it received only regional airplay and failed to make the charts.
In 2000, the UK-based label First Experience Records, released "Crying For Love" a CD of demo recordings of the R&B septet Bridge. These were the recordings that landed Bridge a deal at the CBS subsidiary Bang twenty years earlier. Despite the unfinished quality of some of the tracks, this release has become a favorite of fans of Northern Soul
Northern soul
Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged from the British mod scene, initially in northern England in the late 1960s. Northern soul mainly consists of a particular style of black American soul music based on the heavy beat and fast tempo of the mid-1960s Tamla Motown sound...
. Although the proposed album at Bang was never completed, at least two of the demo tracks were recorded by other artists prior to the CD's release. The song "Next to Me" was covered by drummer Kenneth Nash on his 1986 album, "Mr. Ears." Jean Carne
Jean Carne
Jean Carn is an American jazz and pop singer known for her unique vocalising and her impressive interpretative and improvisational skills...
and Glenn Jones
Glenn Jones
Glenn Jones, , is an American R&B/soul singer.-Career:He started his career as a gospel singer and has since, managed a successful move into the R&B field. He got his start in R&B in 1980 when Norman Connors featured Jones on a track on his album, Take It To The Limit...
recorded "Sweet and Wonderful" on Carne's 1981 album of the same name. The latter track was co-written by Fizzy Qwick under her birth name, Debravon Lewis.
Most recently, she has written for female vocalist U.Niq.
As Debravon Lewis
- 1981: "The Little Things (That Keep Me Loving You)" b/w "I'm Not That Kind of Girl" (Oakland Smoke 003)
Tiggi Clay (lead vocalist)
- 1984: "Flashes" b/w "Roses For Lydia" (#86 Pop, Morocco 1716)
- 1984: "The Winner Gets The Heart" by "Who Shot Zorro?" (Morocco 1728)
As Fizzy Qwick
- 1986: "Hangin' Out" b/w "Angels in the Snow" (#71 R&B, Motown 1838)
- 1986: "You Want It Your Way, Always" b/w "Young, Single and Tough" (Motown)
Selected Songwriting Credits
| Song | Co-Writer(s) | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Flashes" | De Wayne Sweet (as Romeo "Breath" McCall); Hilary Leon Thompson (as William "Billy" Peaches) | Tiggi Clay |
| "It's The Little Things (That Keep Me Loving You)" | Walter Richardson; Harvey Scales Harvey Scales Harvey Scales is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Scales has been active in the music industry since the 1960s, and has composed songs for groups with a long standing history in the industry as well such as The Dells, The Dramatics, and The O'Jays... |
Debravon Lewis |
| "Sweet and Wonderful" | Derick Hughes; Michael Robinson | Jean Carne Jean Carne Jean Carn is an American jazz and pop singer known for her unique vocalising and her impressive interpretative and improvisational skills... featuring Glenn Jones Glenn Jones Glenn Jones, , is an American R&B/soul singer.-Career:He started his career as a gospel singer and has since, managed a successful move into the R&B field. He got his start in R&B in 1980 when Norman Connors featured Jones on a track on his album, Take It To The Limit... ; Bridge |
| "You Can't Bring Me Down" | Laing Lew | U.Niq |
| "Young, Single and Tough" | De Wayne Sweet (as Romeo "Breath" McCall); Hilary Leon Thompson (as W. Billy Peaches) | Fizzy Qwick |
External links
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlFMSJ6zk1wFlashes music video including introduction by Tiggi Clay on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QV3YqNxtCUIt's The Little Things recording on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
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