Loading details…
Artist
New Birth
12+ albums
soulfunkDiscopsychedelicfree soul
about
New Birth Formed: 1963 Styles: Funk, Disco, Quiet Storm, Smooth Soul, Soul Group Members: James Baker, Tony Churchill, Charlie Hearndon, Robert Jackson, Austin Lander, Carl McDaniel, Robin Russell, Leroy Taylor, Londie Wiggins, Leslie Wilson, Melvin Wilson, Anne Bogan, James Baker Biography: Formed by Tony Churchill and music-industry veteran Harvey Fuqua, New Birth was originally named the Nite-Liters. As the Nite-Liters, they enjoyed chart action with three R&B hits: "K-Jee," "Afro-Strut," and "Pull Together." Of the three, "K-Jee" was the most successful, peaking at number 17 during a 13-week run. The roots of the band lie with Leslie and Melvin Wilson, who were gospel singers living in Muskegon, MI. After moving on to Detroit in the late '60s, their interest remained centered in gospel. Melvin Wilson eventually met the Nite-Liters, who at the time were backing Motown artists, and expressed the possibility that he and his brother Leslie could perform with them. As fate would have it, the two brothers became acquainted with former Marvelette Anne Bogan, who introduced them to Fuqua. He had three groups under his tutelage: Love Peace & Happiness (of which Leslie and Melvin became members), the Nite-Liters, and New Birth. All but two members of New Birth had left the group around this time, leaving just Londee Loren and Bobby Downs. The three groups toured, backed each other up, and ultimately merged into one, with New Birth the name of the new group. Leslie, with his feis
