G.Q.

This quartet formed in New York, USA and comprised Keith ‘Sabu’ Crier (who subsequently changed his name and enjoyed solo success as Keith Sweat, on bass/vocals), Emmanuel Rahiem LeBlanc (guitar/lead vocals), Paul Service (drums/vocals) and Herb Lane (keyboards/vocals). Crier and LeBlanc had previously worked as Sabu And The Survivors, Sons Of Darkness and Third Chance before linking up with Lane and drummer Kenny Banks as the Rhythm Makers and signing with Vigor (part of the De-Lite label). Their one album, Soul On Your Side, attracted considerable import interest in the UK, owing to the hypnotic single “Zone”, in 1976. Following the departure of Banks, Paul Service was drafted in as replacement and the group became G.Q. (which stood for Good Quality) upon the suggestion of their manager, Tony Lopez. They played one of their tapes to producer Beau Ray Fleming and he in turn invited Larkin Arnold, Senior Vice-President of Arista Records, to audition the group in a South Bronx basement. One cut in particular from their audition stood out; “Disco Nights (Rock Freak)”, which they were made to play several times. Two weeks later G.Q. were in the studio recording their debut album for the company. The single peaked at number 12 on the US Top 100 (and number 42 in the UK), earning a gold disc and propelling their debut album to gold status. Their second album spawned another hit single in “Standing Ovation”, after which Paul Service left and the group continued as a trio for their final album for Arista. They recorded one final single, “You Are The One For Me”, for the independent Stadium label and then disbanded permanently following Crier's decision to pursue a solo career.

Discography: Disco Nights (Arista 1979)***, GQ Two (Arista 1980)***, Face To Face (Arista 1981)**.

Compilations: Disco Nights (Camden 1999)***.