Kinsman Dazz was signed to 20th Century Records by Joe Lewis in 1978. The group went to Los Angeles to record for producer Marvin Gaye. Owing to illness, Gaye had to back out of the duties. Harris requested and got Philip Bailey, the vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire, to produce the group's first album, Kinsman Dazz. Bailey would co-produce the second album, Dazz, and had a major input into the group's vocal arrangements. They released their first single, "I Might as Well Forget About Loving You", in late 1978. "Catchin' Up on You" followed in 1979.
The Kinsman Dazz became the Dazz Band in 1980. Separately, the 20th Century Records label was closed, and the Dazz Band was signed to Motown Records. The group expanded from the original quintet โ Harris, Calhoun, Pettus, and the Wiley brothers โ with newcomers Kevin Kendrick, Steve Cox, Eric Fearman, Pierre DeMudd, Sonny "Skip" Martin, Jerry Bell and Terry Stanton. They had their first hit with "Shake It Up" in 1980.
Dazz's first album for Motown was Invitation to Love (1980), a self-produced set, whose title track, the ballad "Invitation to Love", began a string of hits for the band starting in March 1981. The group's next album, Let The Music Play (1981), featured the minor hit single "Knock! Knock!", reaching the Top 50. The group's biggest breakthrough came with the album Keep It Live (1982), containing the hit "Let It Whip" โ which reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. They would go on to score R&B hits with the songs "Party Right Here" (1983), "Joystick" (1984), and "Let It All Blow" (which was also their biggest UK single, peaking at #12) (1984).
After Keep It Live, the band recorded the albums On the One, Joystick, Jukebox and Hot Spot, all for Motown. The band was known for its live performances, often proving more popular than the headlining act. In 1985, Fearman left the group and were replaced by Marlon McClain and Keith Harrison. In 1986, Dazz Band recorded Wild & Free for Geffen Records, and moved to RCA Records.
[edit] 1990s revival
The popularity of classic funk/R&B/soul acts performing in the US and abroad started to expand in the mid-1990s on events like the awarded Sinbad's Summer Jam: '70s Soul Music Festival. Bobby Harris decided to form a tribute band with members from the Bar-Kays, Con Funk Shun, the Gap Band and the SOS Band, called the United We Funk All-Stars. A studio album followed, including a tribute to the late Roger Troutman, who performs on the album as well. Other artists from the genre who contributed to the album were the late Rick James and The System. The concept was a great success, and was captured on a live CD, presented and promoted by radio jockey Tom Joyner, who made the announcements on the UWF-All Stars shows.
Current members
* Bobby Harris - saxophone, clarinet, background vocals
* Sennie Skip Martin - trumpet, vocals
* Marlon McClain - vocals and guitar
Past members
* Jerry Bell (Lead Vocals, Background Vocals)
* Juan Lively(Lead Vocals, Background Vocals)
* Michael Calhoun(Lead Guitar)
* Steve Cox - (keyboards)
* Pierre DeMudd - (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals)
* Eric Fearman - (lead guitar, songwriter)
* Keith Harrison - (keyboards)
* Kenny Pettus -( percussion, vocals)
* Terry Stanton - (lead vocals R.I.P.)
* Michael Wiley - bass (R.I.P.)
* Isaac Wiley, Jr. - (drums, percussion, background vocals)
Discography
Albums
Year Title Peak chart positions Label
US 200 US R&B
1980 Invitation to Love - - Motown
1981 Let the Music Play 154 36 Motown
1982 Keep It Live 14 1 Motown
1983 Joystick 73 12 Motown
1983 On the One 59 12 Motown
1984 Jukebox 84 18 Motown
1984 Greatest Hits - - Motown
1985 Hot Spot 114 24 Motown
1986 Wild & Free 178 37 Geffen
1988 Rock the Room - 91 RCA
1996 Under the Streetlights - 42 LKY
1997 Double Exposure - - Intersound
1998 Here We Go Again - 99 Intersound
2001 Time Traveler - - Eagle Music Group
Singles
Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US R&B US Dance
1980 "Shake It Up" - 65 - Invitation to Love
1981 "Invitation to Love" 109 51 - Invitation to Love
1981 "Knock Knock" - 44 - Let the Music Play
1982 "Let It Whip" 5 1 - Keep It Live
1982 "Keep It Live (On the K.I.L)" - 20 - Keep It Live
1983 "On The One For Fun" - 9 52 On the One
1983 "Cheek To Cheek" - 76 - On the One
1983 "Party Right Here" - 63 - On the One
1983 "Joystick" 61 9 - Joystick
1984 "Swoop (I'm Yours)" - 12 - Joystick
1984 "Let It all Blow" 84 9 - Jukebox
1985 "Heartbeat" 110 12 - Jukebox
1985 "Hot Spot" - 21 33 Hot Spot
1986 "L.O.V.E. M.I.A." - 48 - Wild & Free
1986 "Wild and Free" - 44 - Wild & Free
1988 "Anticipation" - 38 - Rock the Room
1988 "Single Girls" - 19 38 Rock the Room
1988 "Open Sesame" - 83 - Rock the Room
1998 "Ain't Nothin' but a Jam Y'all" - 58 -
1998 "Girl Got Body" - 81 - Here We Go Again
Keep It Live
Dazz Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to keep it live or bust
If you came to jam like us, whoa
Got to keep it live or bust
Romancing and dancing
Romancing and dancing is the main dress
Romancing and dancing
Now if you came to jam like us, whoa
We got to keep it live or bust
Keep it live like our music
Keep it live, don't use it
Keep it live, dig it, use it
Keep it live
Now you say
Keep it live like our music
Keep it live, don't use it
Keep it live, dig it, use it
Keep it live
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la
Halt, oh, yeah
Dancin' on the K.I.L.
(Uh, huh, uh, huh)
On the K.I.L. machine
Gonna spread it all around
Now it's your turn to get down
Get ready, go
K
(K)
Alright, I
(I)
Ho, ho, L
(L)
So what's that mean?
Keep it live
Alright, one more time
K
(K)
I
(I)
Ho, L
(L)
What's that mean?
Keep it live, alright
Keep it live like our music
Keep it live, don't use it
Keep it live, dig it, use it
Keep it live
The lyrics to Dazz Band's song "Keep It Live" are primarily about the importance of keeping music alive and thriving, particularly in the context of a live performance or jam session. The chorus repeats the sentiment that if you came to jam like the band, you've got to keep it live or bust. The verse expands on this theme, suggesting that the main dress code for such an event is "romancing and dancing." Through these lyrics, the band is encouraging listeners to get involved in the music and keep it going, both through participation and through a deep appreciation for the art form.
The song also contains a spoken-word section that breaks down the acronym K.I.L. as "keep it live." This section reinforces the central message of the song and adds an element of playful interaction with the audience. The repeated use of the phrase "keep it live" emphasizes the importance of this concept to the band and to the broader musical community.
Overall, "Keep It Live" is an upbeat and lively song that celebrates music and encourages listeners to engage with it in a meaningful way. The lyrics are straightforward and accessible, making it a catchy and memorable anthem for anyone who loves music.
Line by Line Meaning
If you came to jam like us, whoa
If you're here to party and dance like us, whoa
Got to keep it live or bust
The party has to stay lively and energetic or it will fail
Romancing and dancing
The main aim of the party is to engage in romantic pursuits and dancing
is the main dress
is the main attire / activity for this event
Now if you came to jam like us, whoa
Again, if you're here to party and dance like us, whoa
Keep it live like our music
The energy and liveliness should be as good as the music being played
Keep it live, don't use it
Maintain the energy and vibe, don't let it die down
Keep it live, dig it, use it
Enjoy and utilize the atmosphere of the party to the fullest
Sing la, la, la, la, la, la, la
A simple, catchy phrase to sing along with and keep the party going
Halt, oh, yeah
Pausing for a moment to acknowledge the fun and excitement of the party
Dancin' on the K.I.L.
Dancing on the Keep It Live machine, or metaphorically keeping the party energetic
Gonna spread it all around
The hype and energy of the party will be contagious
Now it's your turn to get down
Inviting the listeners to join in on the fun and dance
Keep it live like our music
Reiterating the need for a lively atmosphere
Alright, one more time
Let's keep the party going and repeat the same energy and vibe
Lyrics ยฉ FAMA MUSIC
Written by: BOBBY HARRIS, KENNY PETTUS, MIKE WILEY, REGGIE ANDREWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Winston Hayes
One of my friends had this on his boom box the last day of the 8th grade in '82! That song was hitting hard!
Briggette Blalock
Yes, I remember this too. I was in the 8th grade at Everett Middle in San Francisco. My friends would bring the boom box and play it at lunch time. This was my favorite song to dance and roller skate to
Celeste Hill
Sweet
Rick Barnes
I remember being in the front of the stage watching the DAZZ BAND's Bassist Michael Wiley at Disney World Orlando jamming this song on bass, he was a great bass player, RIP. I still have the pics and memories!
Michael Johnson
I was a kid who slept w/a transition radio under my pillow! Music is medicine!! I've always wanted to be a dj.
Samuel Nyamweya
@Rockysmom ๐Transistor?
Rockysmom
What's a transition radio??
Rafael Garcia
๐
Daniel Burns
this song went to #20 on the R&B charts in 1982!!!
Michael Bamstone
I HEARD IT WAS #10