The Dazz Band, formed in 1976, grew out of the Cleveland, Ohio, jazz fusion… Read Full Bio ↴The Dazz Band, formed in 1976, grew out of the Cleveland, Ohio, jazz fusion band Bell Telefunk, composed of Bobby harris (founder)lead guitarist/songwriter Mike Calhoun, percussionist Kenny Pettus, drummer Isaac "Ike" Wiley, Jr., and his brother bassist Michael Wiley, and the band Mother BraintreeThe group became known as Kinsman Dazz, named after both the street and the lounge where they worked as the house band: Sonny Jones' Kinsman Grill Lounge. The group adopted its name before the song "Dazz" became an R&B hit for Atlanta's Brick in 1976.

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 — Harris, Calhoun, Pettus, and the Wiley brothers — 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" — 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

Shake It Up
Dazz Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't wait until the sun goes down
I'm getting ready
See the moonlight on the town
I'm getting ready

I'm gonna put on my stepping shoes
'Cause I, I'm getting ready
Walk the streets and spread the news

I'm getting ready

I'm gonna call you on the telephone
Gonna tell somebody
There's a party going on

Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right, yeah
Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right, yeah

Gonna be a lot of people there
Don't you wanna be ready
There'll be coming from everywhere
I'm getting ready

Don't you know I wanna
Be with you tonight, oh, oh
Come on, baby
'Cause we're gonna do it right
I'm getting ready

Let me feel the rhythm in your heart
Just put your hands together
When the music starts

Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right, yeah
Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Move your body left and right
I wanna, I wanna

Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right
Shake it up tonight
Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Dance the night away, ooh

Shaking my body up and down tonight

Said the time is right
Oh, I'm gonna shake my body tonight
And move my hips from left to right
I'm gonna shake my body tonight
I wanna shake it down now

Oh, I can't wait
Until the sun goes down
Oh, I, I'm getting ready
See the moonlight on the town
I'm getting ready

Gonna put on my stepping shoes
'Cause I, I wanna be ready
Walk the streets and spread the news
There's a party

Call my friends up on the telephone
Let's all get together and
We'll get it on now
Let's party

Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to do it right, yeah
Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right

I wanna show you how to party right
I wanna show you how to get down tonight
I wanna show you how to have some fun
I wanna show you how it can be done

Shake it, shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right, oh, oh
Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right, oh, oh

Shake it, shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right
Shake it, shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right

Shake it, shake it up tonight
(I'm gonna show you to party)
Show you how to party right
(I'm gonna show you how to party right)
Shake it, shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right

Shake it, shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Show you how to party right

Overall Meaning

The Dazz Band's "Shake It Up" is a catchy and upbeat song about preparing for a party and having a good time. The lyrics emphasizes on the excitement of the impending event, from the anticipation of meeting with friends to the rhythmic movement of the body. The line "I can't wait until the sun goes down" signifies that the highlight of the night is the party, and the singer is ready for it.

The song also emphasizes on spreading the news about the party and inviting as many people as possible, as seen in the line "Gonna tell somebody, there's a party going on." The chorus, "Shake it up tonight, show you how to party right" implies the importance of shaking out one's body and dancing to have a memorable party experience.

The lyrics further highlight the singer's desire to be with their loved one at the party, dancing and enjoying the night together. The line "Let me feel the rhythm in your heart, just put your hands together when the music starts" expresses the urge to connect with a partner through the shared experience of dancing.

Overall, "Shake It Up" is a song that celebrates the excitement, dynamism, and joy of dancing and partying, encouraging everyone to shake their bodies and have a good time.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't wait until the sun goes down
Excited for the night to begin

See the moonlight on the town
Noticing the nighttime atmosphere

I'm gonna put on my stepping shoes
Getting ready to dance

Walk the streets and spread the news
Going out to share the excitement

There's a party going on
Announcing the event

Shake it up tonight, ooh, ooh
Let's dance and have fun

Show you how to party right, yeah
Demonstrating how to enjoy the festivities

Gonna be a lot of people there
Expecting a big turnout

Don't you wanna be ready
Encouraging others to join in

Don't you know I wanna
Expressing desire to be with someone specific

Be with you tonight, oh, oh
Desiring to spend the evening together