Mark Anthony

Mark Anthony (born in Freeport, Illinois; not to be confused with Latin music singer and Jennifer Lopez’s ex-husband, Marc Anthony) was an R&B\funk singer from the late ’80s.

Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Tabu Records. In 1988, Mark released his only album, “Jumpin’ Off.”  It’s unknown how or if the album was successful.
Mark’s first single “1919 Main St.” which managed to peak at #79 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

After that, it seems as if Mark has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since the ’80s.

To see the music video for “1919 Main St,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xypBpUWc6BA

[updated on 07/31/13]

Kings of Swing

Kings of Swing were an hip-hop\R&B act from the late 80’s\early 90’s. Not much information is given on them, but the members consisted of two male rappers and a female DJ named Cocoa Chanel.

In 1988, they released the single “Stop Sockin’ James\Microphone Junkie” on Bumrush! Records. It’s unknown how or if the single was successful.

In 1990, Kings of Swing released their second single “Nod Your Head To This.” It’s unknown how successful the single was, but a music video was made for the single.

During that same year, Kings of Swing released their only album “Strategy” which didn’t appear to make any impact on the charts.

Kings of Swing released two more singles: “U Know I Love You Baby” and “This is the Way We Rock the House\The Blunted” before fading into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see the music video for “Nod Your Head to This,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5DkBkU8HSc

To see a fan-made video for “Stop Sockin’ James,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d5W01KZ8Mw

To see a fan-made video for “Microphone Junkie,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LYw0bfMl_g

To see a fan-made video for “This is the Way We Rock the House,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOKpPPUgGYk

To see a fan-made video for “The Blunted,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaftoD7BByc

[updated on 07/31/13]

Charm One

Charm One was a hip-hop music act from the late 80s/early 90’s. Not much information is given about them, but one of the members was DJ Coco Chanel.

In 1988,  Charm One released their first single “I Get Hype” on Motivation Records. It’s unknown how or if the single was successful.

In 1990, Charm One released their second single “I Get Hype” on Sam Records. which also didn’t chart. After that, it seemed as if they faded into obscurity.

These days, DJ Coco Chanel continues to deejay. She was on the BET Network show “Teen Summit” and also on the Hot97 radio station in New York.

To see a fan-made video for “Togetherness,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6t6mc6nPD4

To see a fan-made video for “I Get Hype,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPZ6rbBVngo

[updated on 07/31/13]

Klassique

Klassique was a female dance\funk music singer from the early 80’s. Not much information is given about this artist, but they were signed to Sam Records.

In 1983, she released her only single “Somebody’s Loving You” which didn’t make the charts at all. Afterwards, it seems as if Klassique has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from her since the ’80s.

To see a video for “Somebody’s Loving You,” go to:

The Suttons

Mike and Brenda Sutton (also known as the Suttons) are singers and songwriters from Los Angeles, California.

They first worked together as staff writers and singers for Motown Records in the early 70’s. During that period, Mike and Brenda wrote songs for the late Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Three Ounces of Love, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Thelma Houston, and Jerry Butler.

While at Motown, Brenda sang background vocals on Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” while she and Mike wrote & performed as part of a music act called Finished Touch in 1979.

When they were away from Motown Records, Mike and Brenda wrote and produced songs for Cheryl Lynn, The Detroit Spinners, Anita Pointer, Cheryl Lynn, and Jr Tucker.
In 1982, The Suttons released their first album “Don’t Hold Back” on Sam Records. It’s unknown how or if the album was successful.

The first single from the album “We’ll Make It” peaked at #45 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The second single “Don’t Hold Back” peaked at #49 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The last single released from the album “Don’t Let Go Of Me (Grip My Hips and Move Me)” peaked at #82 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 3 weeks.

In 1984, The Suttons released their second album “So Good” on Rocshire Records. It’s unknown how or if the album was successful.

The first single from the album “Live It Up (Love It Up)” peaked at #46 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

The last single released from the album, “Kraazy” peaked at #67 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

Nothing was heard from the Suttons until 1990 when they recorded a song “No Other Love” for the UK record label, Motorcity.
Now separated, Mike worked with Brenda on his solo album, “Hopeless Romantic” in 2002 which was released on Little Dizzy Records.

To see a fan-made video for “Don’t Hold Back,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl5FX6XZGLc

To see a fan-made video for “So Good,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtqXg5jcTss

[updated on 05\05\12]

N-Phase

N-Phase were an R&B group from Rockhill, South Carolina from the ’90s that consisted of members Melvin Baxter, Al Boyd, Tevlin Williamson, Donnie Mayes and Marlon Davis.

Melvin, Tevlin and Marlon originally sang as an a-capella trio in clubs in their hometown. The following year, they met Al and Donny, and started N Phase. After becoming local favorites, they made demo tapes and started shopping around for a record label.

When a radio station in Washington, DC, WPCG started playing their song, “Ooh Yeah!” and the hype of the song reached Maverick Records, they were signed to the label.
In 1994, N-Phase released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #27 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart and #58 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. Their album was produced by R. Kelly.
N Phase’s highest chart appearance to date was the single, “Spend the Night” which peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and  #23 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

Their follow-up single (a cover version of the Manhattans’  song “Kiss and Say Goodbye”) peaked at #78 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.
After that, they had seemingly faded into obscurity. In  2007, N-Phase released a gospel album, “The Time’s Right Now” which is now available on CD Baby and iTunes.

To see the music video for “Spend the Night,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqcYQsivvbs

To see N Phase performing “Kiss and Say Goodbye” live, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKd_Z1E701k

[updated on 02\02\2014]

Guesss

Guesss were an R&B duo from St. Louis, Missouri that consisted of members Darryl Gerdine and Ronnie Irons.
In 1994, they released their one and only self-titled album which peaked at #63 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and #38 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart.

Their first single “Shu-B” peaked at #51 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The second single “Tell Me Where It Hurts” peaked at #45 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, becoming their highest chart appearance to date, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The third single from the album “It’s You That I Need” peaked at #49 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the charts for 10 weeks.

Two promo singles “Wakdatpaddi” and “My Reason (For Loving Someone Else)” were released, but didn’t chart. After that, it seems as if Guesss has faded into obscurity.

To see the music video for “Shu-B,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzsQxhZMc70

To see a fan-made video for “Tell Me Where It Hurts,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6TC4w-w1vo

To see the music video for “It’s You That I Need,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2ARu_1uEB4

[updated on 05\07\12]

Sweet N Lo'

Sweet N Lo’ were a female hip-hop\rap duo consisting of Georgette “Sweet” Franklin and Lori “Lo” Esteen. Not much information is given on them, but they only released one album.
In 1993, Sweet N Lo’ released their debut album “Pucker Up” on Atlantic Records. It’s unknown how or if the album ever charted.

Their only chart appearance was the single “40 Dog” which peaked at #60 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. After that, not much was heard from them and they had seemingly faded into obscurity.

Georgette Franklin was involved in songwriting, even writing Jennifer Lopez’s 2001 hit song “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” Lori Esteen went into group management after the release of Sweet N Lo’ s debut album.

Sadly on January 16, 1996, Lori, her boyfriend Thomas Blinco and her friend Diana Davis were found shot to death in Jefferson Park in Los Angeles, California. She was 26 years old.

To see a fan-made video for “40 Dog,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeGIA6WfDmA

The Rainbow Girls

I decided to do a post about this obscure girl group after it was posted on “The Isle of Deserted Pop Stars” blog. It was so interesting, I just had to add them to the blog.

The Rainbow Girls were a girl group from the early ’90s that consisted of Lisa “Anishja” McClean, Jessica, Denise and Susan. The group started when Lisa met with producer Ricky Timas while she was doing a demo in James Gadsen’s studio in Los Angeles, California with Denzil Miller for an upcoming movie.

Ricky was looking for a female singer to sing some demos. Lisa ended up calling him, they set up a meeting and hit it off. Lisa was originally signed as a solo artist, but the producers wanted to put a girl group together.
In 1990, The Rainbow Girls released their only album, “Girls’ Life” which didn’t appear to chart at all on the Billboard charts.

Their first single “Make Your Move 4 Love” made the charts in radio stations in places such as Los Angeles, Hawaii and Philadelphia. The title song was released as the second single, but didn’t make the charts at all. According to the “Isle of Deserted Pop Stars,” Quality Records didn’t get the album in stores in time.
In 1991, The Rainbow Girls released their last single, “Dudes on the Beach” which also didn’t go anywhere and soon after, they had faded into obscurity.

These days, Lisa (now Shay McClean) is working on her own album. Jessica got married and did some acting. It’s unknown what Denise & Susan are up to these days.

To see a video for “Make Your Move 4 Love,” go to:

[updated on 10/02/2020]

Gigi on the Beach

Gigi on the Beach were a pop music trio from the late ’80s that consisted of Terri Smith Young, Paula Gallo and Beth Barrett.

The trio was formed by John Palmero and his brother, Ed, who had written songs for various artists such as Menudo and Graham Nash. John came up with an idea to create a fictitious girl group and try to get a record deal. He sent tapes and biographies to various record labels.

One of the tapes eventually attracted the attention of Casey Kasem, who liked the idea and was going to give it to the president of CBS/Scotti Bros. Records, Johnny Musso; however, John didn’t have a group set up (which he later confessed to Johnny Musso).
After auditioning about 75 girls, John decided on three of them: Beth, Paula and Terri. In 1989, Gigi on the Beach released their only self-titled studio album. It was recorded in John’s apartment in New York City.
The two singles released from the album: “Friday Night in the U.S.A.” and “Bitch Me Out” failed to make any music charts at all.

Gigi on The Beach’s album turned out to be CBS’s final album for with Scotti Bros. Records.

According to John Palmero (in a comment on the “Isle of Deserted Pop Stars” blog): “We got caught in that gap where CBS was on their way out and didn’t want to put any cash into promotion for Scotti.” Afterwards, it seemed as if Gigi on The Beach faded into obscurity.

These days, John Palmero owns a CD/DVD duplication business in New York City called DupeCoop. Ed Palmero has a 20-piece band known for playing the music of Frank Zappa. It’s currently unknown what Terri Smith Young, Beth Barrett and Paula Gallo are currently up to.

To see a video for “Friday Night in the U.S.A.,” go to:

To see a video for “Bitch Me Out,” go to: