Regi Hargis, co-founder and lead guitarist of the huge platinum selling 1970s band Brick, passed away on Friday, October 15, 2021 of undisclosed causes, at the age of 70.
Brick was formed in the mid-1970s in Atlanta, GA. Its first hit song was “Dazz” (1976), co-written by Hargis. The term “dazz” was coined as a combination of the words “disco” and “jazz,” an apt description of their unique style of music. We have always been lovers of music, and we certainly loved all of Brick’s most popular songs, several of which were co-written by Hargis.
In 1977, Brick released “Dusic,” a combination of “disco” and “music.” Other popular songs by Brick were “We Don’t Wanna Sit Down, We Wanna Get Down” from 1977 and “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” from 1978.
Our love of music has led us to appreciate many talented artists from days gone by, but Brick surely kept us dancing.
We hope Regi is still playing and composing and making people dance, wherever he is!
Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas , a co-founder of Kool & the Gang, passed away in his sleep on August 8, 2021, at the age of 70.
Kool & the Gang was formed in 1964 by New Jersey high school friends, including brothers Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Nathan Bell. Their first album, “Kool & the Gang” was released in 1969 and contained all instrumental tracks.
Dee Tee was the band’s alto saxophonist, and was a part of the band until his death.
Kool & the Gang was extremely popular throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, releasing such hits as “Funky Stuff” and “Jungle Boogie” in 1973, “Hollywood Swinging” in 1974, “Summer Madness” in 1975, “Ladies Night” and “Too Hot” in 1979, and the crowd-pleasing “Celebration” in 1980.
Dee Tee was known for his hip style of dress and his cool demeanor.
Kool & the Gang is definitely one of our all-time favorite groups, and they will never be forgotten.
Biz Markie, born on April 8, 1964 as Marcel Theo Hall, died on July 16, 2021 at the age of 57. His death was as a result of complications of diabetes.
The Biz was a rapper, writer, singer, DJ, beatboxer, record producer, actor, and comedian. He was perhaps best known for his 1989 single "Just a Friend". Our personal favorite, however, was “Vapors” from 1988. He was affectionately known as the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop”.
Biz began his career in New York City nightclubs in the early 1980s. He made too many television appearances throughout the years to even name.
Walter L. Jones , former member of the 1970s R&B group Enchantment passed away on June 7, 2021.
Enchantment was formed in Detroit, MI in the late 1960s, but it wasn’t until 1976 that the group recorded its first hits, “Sunshine” and “Gloria”, followed in 1978 by “It’s You That I Need”.
Mr. Jones’ contribution to the group was as an outstanding first tenor.
A change in the group’s recording company in 1980 led to a downturn in the group’s popularity, along with a change in music styles.
I can still hear “Gloria” playing in my head, some 45 years later.
Shock G of Digital Underground (born Gregory Jacobs on August 25, 1963 in New York City, NY) died om April 22, 2021, at the age of 57.
Shock G, also known as Humpty Hump, began his career as a drummer, winning a junior high talent show in 1978. He soon traded in his drums for a set of turntables. At 16, he was the youngest radio disc jockey employed at an R&B station in Tampa, FL. He subsequently taught himself to play piano, while backpacking around the country.
Shock G ultimately landed in Oakland, CA, co-founded Digital Underground with Chopmaster J, and the late Kenneth Waters (a.k.a. Kenny-K), and began writing, producing, and performing increasingly popular music. “The Humpty Dance” was released in 1990, and went platinum. Tupac Shakur joined Digital Underground in 1991 and appeared in the song and video "Same Song".
Throughout his career, Shock G racked up a host of producing, performing, and acting credits, including appearing in “Nothing but Trouble” in 1991.
Dark Man X, famed rapper and Grammy nominee Eric Simmons, known all over the world as DMX, died on April 9, 2021 of a heart attack, at the age of 50.
On April 2, 2021, DMX was hospitalized in New York, following “catastrophic cardiac arrest” at his home in White Plains. He remained in a coma and on life support for a week before his passing.
Earl Simmons was born on December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, New York. Despite a rough childhood, Earl began beatboxing for a local rapper at the age of 14. It was around that time that Earl was introduced to illegal drugs, leading to a lifetime of incarceration and other legal troubles.
In 1988, DMX began selling his mixtapes on the streets of New York. The Source magazine acknowledged Earl in 1991 for his accomplishments. In 1992, Earl was signed to Ruffhouse, which released his debut single "Born Loser". DMX’s second single, "Make a Move" was released in 1994. He also made a guest appearance on the classic underground track "Time to Build" on Mic Geronimo's debut album in 1995.
From 1996 through 1998, DMX made guest appearances on singles for Ma$e, and LL Cool J. In 1998, DMX released his debut major-label single, "Get at Me Dog", which was certified gold. The single "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", was released in May 1998. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over five million copies. His second album, “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went multi-platinum.
DMX’s third album “And Then There Was X,” was released in December 1999 and produced “Party Up,” his first top ten hit. The album was certified six-times platinum.
DMX continued to produce music and tour up until 2019, releasing "X Gon' Give It to Ya" in 2003.
Along with his musical career, DMX paved a way as an actor. He starred in the 1998 film “Belly” and appeared in 2000′s “Romeo Must Die” with Jet Li and Aaliyah. DMX and Aaliyah teamed up for “Come Back in One Piece” on the film’s soundtrack. DMX also starred in 2001′s “Exit Wounds” with Steven Seagal and 2003′s “Cradle 2 the Grave” with Jet Li.
Reggie Warren,, one of the five original members of the 1980s R&B group TROOP (Total Respect of Other People) died on March 14, 2021 at the age of 52. The cause of his death was not immediately known.
TROOP was formed in the 1980s from a group of childhood friends in Pasadena, CA. They were signed to Atlantic Records and in 1988 released their first single “Mamacita,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts, Subsequent singles “Spread My Wings” and “All I Do Is Think of You" were released in 1990, and both reached No, 1 on the Billboard charts. Their 1989 album “Attitude” was certified platinum in 1990.
In 1991, TROOP appeared in the feature film New Jack City singing an a cappella version of “For the Love of Money.”
The group took a hiatus from 1998 until 2004, at which time the group resumed touring.
