The Trammps
Encyclopedia
The Trammps were an American
disco
band
, who were based in Philadelphia and were one of the first disco bands. The band's first major success was with their 1972 cover version
of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
". The first disco track they released was "Love Epidemic" in 1973. However, they are best known for their Grammy winning song, "Disco Inferno
", originally released in 1976 becoming a UK pop hit and US R&B hit, then re-released in 1978 and becoming a US pop hit. The music journalist
Ron Wynn
noted "the Trammps' prowess can't be measured by chart popularity; Ellis' booming, joyous vocals brilliantly championed the celebratory fervor and atmosphere that made disco both loved and hated among music fans."
and Earl Young
, with Stanley Wade plus Robert Upchurch joining later on. Their debut chart
entry came via their upbeat cover version
of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
", a Top 20 US R&B
chart hit
in 1972.
Their single
"Disco Inferno
" (1976), which was included on the Grammy Award
winning Saturday Night Fever
soundtrack
in 1977, reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in May 1978.
Other major hits included "Hold Back the Night" (1975) (UK
#5) and "That's Where the Happy People Go" (1976). In late 1977, the Trammps released the song "The Night the Lights Went Out" to commemorate the electrical blackout
that affected New York
on July 13, 1977
.
Their signature song, "Disco Inferno", has been covered
by Tina Turner
and Cyndi Lauper
. In addition, Graham Parker
covered
"Hold Back The Night" on the "The Pink Panther EP" in 1977, and reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart
, and Top 60 in the US.
On September 19, 2005, the groups' signature record "Disco Inferno" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame
at a ceremony held in New York
. During the ceremony, the original band members performed together for the first time in twenty five years.
Two versions of the group, with differing line-ups, currently tour the nostalgia circuit.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, who were based in Philadelphia and were one of the first disco bands. The band's first major success was with their 1972 cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
"Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" is a 1934 popular song with words and music by James F. Hanley. It was introduced by Hal Le Roy and Eunice Healey in the Broadway revue Thumbs Up! Probably the most notable recordings were made by Judy Garland and by The Trammps "Zing! Went the Strings of My...
". The first disco track they released was "Love Epidemic" in 1973. However, they are best known for their Grammy winning song, "Disco Inferno
Disco Inferno
Disco Inferno is a song by The Trammps.Disco Inferno can also refer to:* Disco Inferno , a 1976 disco album recorded by The Trammps featuring the song* Disco Inferno , a band formed in the late 1980s...
", originally released in 1976 becoming a UK pop hit and US R&B hit, then re-released in 1978 and becoming a US pop hit. The music journalist
Music journalism
Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as 'classical music'. This aspect of music journalism, today often referred to as music criticism , comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of...
Ron Wynn
Ron Wynn
Ron Wynn is a music critic, author, and allmusic editor. Wynn was the editor of the first edition of The All Music Guide to Jazz , and from 1993 to 1994 served as the jazz and rap editor of the All Music Guide. Wynn is the former editor of New Memphis Star and the former chief jazz and pop music...
noted "the Trammps' prowess can't be measured by chart popularity; Ellis' booming, joyous vocals brilliantly championed the celebratory fervor and atmosphere that made disco both loved and hated among music fans."
History
The seeds of the Trammps grew from the 1960s outfit, the Volcanos, who later became the Moods. With a number of line-up changes by the mid 1970s the band membership included Jimmy Ellis, Norman HarrisNorman Harris
Norman Harris was an American guitarist, producer, arranger and songwriter associated with Philly soul. He was a founding member of MFSB and one-third of the production trio of Baker-Harris-Young...
and Earl Young
Earl Young (drummer)
Earl Young is a Philadelphia-based drummer who rose to prominence in the early 1970s as part of the Philly Soul sound. Young is best known as the founder and leader of The Trammps who had a hit record with "Disco Inferno". Young, along with Ronnie Baker and Norman Harris, was the owner of the...
, with Stanley Wade plus Robert Upchurch joining later on. Their debut chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
entry came via their upbeat cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
"Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" is a 1934 popular song with words and music by James F. Hanley. It was introduced by Hal Le Roy and Eunice Healey in the Broadway revue Thumbs Up! Probably the most notable recordings were made by Judy Garland and by The Trammps "Zing! Went the Strings of My...
", a Top 20 US R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
in 1972.
Their single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Disco Inferno
Disco Inferno
Disco Inferno is a song by The Trammps.Disco Inferno can also refer to:* Disco Inferno , a 1976 disco album recorded by The Trammps featuring the song* Disco Inferno , a band formed in the late 1980s...
" (1976), which was included on the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack)
Original Vinyl ReleaseSide A:#"Stayin' Alive" performed by Bee Gees, produced by Bee Gees, Albhy Galuten, Karl Richardson – 4:45#"How Deep Is Your Love" performed by Bee Gees, produced by Bee Gees, Albhy Galuten, Karl Richardson – 4:05...
soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
in 1977, reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in May 1978.
Other major hits included "Hold Back the Night" (1975) (UK
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#5) and "That's Where the Happy People Go" (1976). In late 1977, the Trammps released the song "The Night the Lights Went Out" to commemorate the electrical blackout
Power outage
A power outage is a short- or long-term loss of the electric power to an area.There are many causes of power failures in an electricity network...
that affected New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on July 13, 1977
New York City blackout of 1977
The New York City blackout of 1977 was an electricity blackout affected most of New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. The only neighborhoods in New York City that were not affected were in southern Queens, and neighborhoods of the Rockaways, which are part of the Long Island Lighting...
.
Their signature song, "Disco Inferno", has been covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by 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...
and Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
. In addition, Graham Parker
Graham Parker
Graham Parker is a British rock singer and songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the popular British band Graham Parker & the Rumour.-Early career :...
covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
"Hold Back The Night" on the "The Pink Panther EP" in 1977, and reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and Top 60 in the US.
On September 19, 2005, the groups' signature record "Disco Inferno" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame
Dance Music Hall of Fame
The Dance Music Hall of Fame was created in 2003 when music industry veteran John Parker thought that something needed to be done to honor the creators and innovators of dance music...
at a ceremony held in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During the ceremony, the original band members performed together for the first time in twenty five years.
Two versions of the group, with differing line-ups, currently tour the nostalgia circuit.
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | US United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | The Legendary Zing Album The Legendary Zing Album The Legendary Zing Album is an album by the soul-disco group The Trammps, released in 1975. It consists of tracks recorded for Buddah Records in the early 70s, including the singles "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" which peaked at #17 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1972 and #64 on the Billboard... |
Buddah Records Buddah Records Buddah Records was founded in 1967 in New York City. The label was born out of Kama Sutra Records, an MGM Records-distributed label, which remained a key imprint following Buddah's founding... |
- | - |
| 1975 | Trammps Trammps (The Trammps album) The Trammps is an album released by the disco and funk group The Trammps in 1975 on Golden Fleece Records.-Track listing:#"Stop and Think"#"Trusting Heart"#"Every Dream I Dream Is You"#"Love Epidemic"#"Save A Place"#"Trammps Disco Theme"... |
Golden Fleece Records | #159 | #30 |
| 1976 | Where the Happy People Go | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
#50 | #13 |
| 1976 | Disco Inferno Disco Inferno (The Trammps album) Disco Inferno is an album released by the Trammps in 1976.-Track listing:Side A# "Body Contact Contract" – 6:55# "Starvin'" – 7:05... |
Atlantic Records | #46 | #16 |
| 1977 | The Trammps III The Trammps III The Trammps III is an album released by the disco and funk group The Trammps in 1977.-Track listing:Side A# "The Night the Lights Went Out"# "Love Per Hour"# "People of the World, Rise"Side B# "Living the Life"# "Seasons for Girls"... |
Atlantic Records | #85 | #27 |
| 1979 | The Whole World's Dancing | Atlantic Records | #184 | - |
| 1980 | Mixin' It Up | Atlantic Records | - | - |
| 1980 | Slipping Out Slipping Out Slipping Out is an album released by the disco and funk group The Trammps in 1980.-Track listing:# "Loveland" # "Trained-Eye" # "Mellow Out" # "Groove All Mighty" # "Looking for You"... |
Atlantic Records | - | - |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Label | US United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | The Best of the Trammps | Atlantic Records | #139 | #57 |
Singles
| Year | Title | US United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" is a 1934 popular song with words and music by James F. Hanley. It was introduced by Hal Le Roy and Eunice Healey in the Broadway revue Thumbs Up! Probably the most notable recordings were made by Judy Garland and by The Trammps "Zing! Went the Strings of My... " |
#64 | #17 | #29 |
| 1972 | "Sixty Minute Man" | - | - | #40 |
| 1973 | "Pray All You Sinners" | - | #34 | - |
| 1973 | "Love Epidemic" | - | #75 | - |
| 1974 | "Where Do We Go From Here" | - | #44 | - |
| 1974 | "Trusting Heart" | - | #72 | - |
| 1975 | "Hooked for Life" | - | #70 | - |
| 1975 | "Rubber Band" | - | - | - |
| 1976 | "Hold Back The Night" | #35 | #10 | #5 |
| 1976 | "That's Where the Happy People Go" | #27 | #12 | #35 |
| 1976 | "Soul Searchin' Time" | - | #67 | #42 |
| 1976 | "Disco Inferno Disco Inferno Disco Inferno is a song by The Trammps.Disco Inferno can also refer to:* Disco Inferno , a 1976 disco album recorded by The Trammps featuring the song* Disco Inferno , a band formed in the late 1980s... " |
#53 | #9 | #16 |
| 1977 | ""I Feel Like I've Been Livin' (On The Dark Side Of The Moon)" | - | #52 | - |
| 1977 | "The Night The Lights Went Out" | - | #80 | - |
| 1978 | "Disco Inferno" (re-release) | #11 | - | #47 |
| 1978 | "Seasons for Girls" | - | #50 | - |
| 1978 | "Soul Bones" | - | #91 | - |
| 1983 | "Up On The Hill" | - | - | - |
| 1992 | "Hold Back The Night" - (KWS KWS (Band) KWS are a British pop/rave act from Nottingham, England consisting of instrumentalists/record producers Chris King and Winston Williams and vocalist Delroy St... features guest vocals from the Trammps) |
- | - | #30 |
Band members
- Ronnie BakerRonnie BakerRonnie Baker was a famous record producer, bassist, arranger and songwriter. He participated on many Gamble and Huff recordings and was one-third of the production team of Baker-Harris-Young. He was one of The Trammps, who had a #5 UK/#35 US hit with Hold Back The Night....
- (Bass, Vocals)
- Jimmy Ellis (vocals)
- Gene Faith a.k.a. Gene Jones (original lead vocalist)
- Dennis Harris (Guitar)
- Norman HarrisNorman HarrisNorman Harris was an American guitarist, producer, arranger and songwriter associated with Philly soul. He was a founding member of MFSB and one-third of the production trio of Baker-Harris-Young...
- (Guitar, vocals)
- John Hart (Organ) , Died 2008
- Steve Kelly (vocals)
- Ron Kersey b. Tyrone G. Kersey - (Keyboards) , Born 7th April 1945 d. 25th January 2005
- Michael Thomas (drums)
- Robert Upchurch (vocals)
- Harold Doc Wade (Guitar, Vocals)
- Stanley Wade (Bass , Vocals)
- Earl Young - (Drums, Vocals)
Later members
- Jerry Collins - (Vocal)
- Jimmy Williams - (Lead vocal)
Stan Wade & Robert Upchurch Trammps
- Ed Cermanski - (Keyboard)
- Dave Dixon - (Vocals)
- Mike Natalini - (Drums)
- Rusty Stone - (Bass)
- Harold Watkins - (Brass)
- Ruben Henderson - (Brass)
- Fred Vesci - (Keyboard)
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
- Ron KerseyRon KerseyTyrone Garfield "Ron " Kersey was an American keyboardist, songwriter, producer and arranger most known for writing the music to "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps....
, a one-time band member and songwriter - "Hate It or Love ItHate It or Love It"Hate It or Love It" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, featuring vocals from fellow G-Unit member at the time rapper 50 Cent. It was released as the third official single from The Game's debut studio album The Documentary , from record labels Aftermath...
", a single by The GameThe Game (rapper)Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
sampling a Trammps beat