New York City was an R&B vocal group from the ’70s that consisted of vocalists Tim McQueen (born in Innettsville, South Carolina), John Brown (born in New York City, New York), Edward Schell (born in Savannah, Georgia) and Claude Johnson (born in the Bronx, New York City, New York).
The group formed in 1972 where they signed to the Chelsea Records label. They previously went under the name “Tri-Boro Exchange.”
The members of the group had previous experience in other music groups; John sang with the Five Satins & the Cadillacs; he also filled in with the Moonglows when founder & member Harvey Fuqua called. Claude was part of the music duo Don & Juan and sang with the Genies. Tim and Eddie had also sung with other music groups around New York City.
In 1973, New York City released their debut single “I’m Doin’ Fine Now” which reached the pop charts, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it only their highest-charting single on the Hot 100.
The song also peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, #8 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart and #20 on the U.K. Singles chart. It would be later be covered by The Pasadenas in 1991 which became a hit in the United Kingdom.
During that same year, the group released their debut album “I’m Doin’ Fine Now” which peaked at #35 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and #122 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The follow-up single “Make Me Twice the Man” didn’t match the success of their debut single, peaking at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #44 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.
The last single to chart from the album “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry” peaked at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #19 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
During 1973, New York City toured with The Big Apple Band, whose members consisted of Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards, who went on to achieve success with the band, Chic.
In 1974, the band released their sophomore and last album, “Soulful Road” which peaked at #50 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The album cover mimicked The Beatles’ album “Abbey Road.”
The lead single from the album “Happiness Is” peaked at #20 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.
The second single “Love Is What You Make It” peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #41 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.
The group’s last charting single from the album “Got to Get You Back in My Life” peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #76 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks. In late 1974, New York City disbanded.
Claude Johnson passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2017. These days, it’s unknown what the other members of the group are up to and it appears as if they have faded into obscurity.
To see a fan-made video for “I’m Doin’ Fine Now,” go to:
To see a fan-made video for “Make Me Twice the Man”, go to:
To see a fan-made video for “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry,” go to:
To see a fan-made video for “Happiness Is,” go to:
To see a fan-made video for “Love Is What You Make It,” go to:
To see a fan-made video for “Got To Get You Back In My Life,” go to: