K-Bee
10-13-2003, 02:49 AM
This is the 3rd part of a regular series of artist profiles from the world of 80s black music that i'll put up in these boards from now on.
Up this time is this group of Prince lookalikes who were responsible for all of us goin' "Oh Sheila" in 1985
:D - Ready For The World:
Bio from:www.allmusic.com
"A Michigan funk band with slight rock leanings, Ready for the World parlayed Melvin Riley's whining vocals and some trendy production into a pair of number one R&B hits in the mid-'80s for MCA. Riley, Gordon Strozier, Gregory Potts, Willie Triplett, John Eaton, and Gerald Valentine began on their own Blue Lake label before signing with MCA. The label reissued the song "Tonight," and it reached number six on the R&B charts in 1984. They followed it with "Deep Inside Your Love," another Top Ten R&B single, then had their first of two chart-toppers in "Oh Sheila." It got them a huge crossover smash, ultimately topping the pop lists as well. They scored their fourth consecutive Top Ten R&B record with "Digital Display," then had two flop singles before "Love You Down" put them back on top of the R&B world in 1986. It was their last hit and peaked at number nine pop."
What's not mentioned in this bio, is that Ready For The World also released a solo album in 1988 which was not that bad even if their were not hits on it.
The band disbanded in 1991 after an ill-fated venture into new jack swing.
Lead Singer Melvin Riley had a solo album "Ghetto Love" in 1994, trying to cash in on the bed room style ballad succes of Jodeci & R. Kelly - needless to say he didn't make it happen
:confused2 :laugh:
My favorite tracks:
Oh Sheila (1985)
Love You Down (1986)
In My Room (1986)
Up this time is this group of Prince lookalikes who were responsible for all of us goin' "Oh Sheila" in 1985
:D - Ready For The World:
Bio from:www.allmusic.com
"A Michigan funk band with slight rock leanings, Ready for the World parlayed Melvin Riley's whining vocals and some trendy production into a pair of number one R&B hits in the mid-'80s for MCA. Riley, Gordon Strozier, Gregory Potts, Willie Triplett, John Eaton, and Gerald Valentine began on their own Blue Lake label before signing with MCA. The label reissued the song "Tonight," and it reached number six on the R&B charts in 1984. They followed it with "Deep Inside Your Love," another Top Ten R&B single, then had their first of two chart-toppers in "Oh Sheila." It got them a huge crossover smash, ultimately topping the pop lists as well. They scored their fourth consecutive Top Ten R&B record with "Digital Display," then had two flop singles before "Love You Down" put them back on top of the R&B world in 1986. It was their last hit and peaked at number nine pop."
What's not mentioned in this bio, is that Ready For The World also released a solo album in 1988 which was not that bad even if their were not hits on it.
The band disbanded in 1991 after an ill-fated venture into new jack swing.
Lead Singer Melvin Riley had a solo album "Ghetto Love" in 1994, trying to cash in on the bed room style ballad succes of Jodeci & R. Kelly - needless to say he didn't make it happen
:confused2 :laugh:
My favorite tracks:
Oh Sheila (1985)
Love You Down (1986)
In My Room (1986)