SHALAMAR Throwback Thursday Legacy

Former SHALAMAR touring backing vocalist Jermaine Stewart  and original member Jody Watley  party it up back in the day. They both went on to have notable Hot 100 and R&B Hits (We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off, The Word Is Out, Jody..Looking For A New Love, Don't You Want Me, Real Love and more) under their belts with a flair for style as well.

Jermaine Stewart and Jody Watley back in the day serving glamour in the nightlife.

SHALAMAR Goes Uptown

Wanting to form a vocal/dance group  Shalamar​  was created and founded in 1977  by Don Cornelius​ and partner Dick Griffey for Soul Train Records label.  Originals were popular Soul Train​ dancers  Jody Watley​ Jeffrey Daniel providing instant public recognition and charisma for marketing and promotion for the disco hit "Uptown Festival" with session singer Gary Mumford. 

Don Cornelius to JET Magazine May 1, 1980 "Jeffrey and Jody were two of the most interesting people on the show", Cornelius reveals. "We thought they would fit the image we wanted to create for Shalamar. It's just lucky they could sing."  Read the archived article: JET

Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford

Laying the foundation of the  legacy Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford

Gary Mumford, Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel make first group appearance on Soul Train, 1977.

Mumford would depart shortly after release of the first SHALAMAR album of the same name "Uptown Festival."

SHALAMAR Promotional Photo Classic from 1982

 

1982 promotional 8x10 glossy of the classic SHALAMAR lineup (1978-1983, Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley and Howard Hewett.

SHALAMAR 1984-1985 Promotional Black and White

SHALAMAR~Not just a group, an institution" What began as a vocal dance trio has seen members come and go. This was Shalamar circa 1984-1985 new sound, music, performance style ~ Micki Free (guitarist and replacement of original member Jeffrey Daniel), Delisa Davis (winner of nationwide talent search to replace original female member Jody Watley ), Howard Hewett (third male and replacement of Gerald Brown) ~ Album "Heartbreak" available on Unidisc 

SHALAMAR Classic Photo with Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley and Howard Hewett in 1980

Originals Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley with third male lead Howard Hewett

Fresh faced Shalamar appear in costumes designed by Jody Watley in 1980, according to an article published in JET Magazine May1, 1980 cover story titled "Shalamar Having Big Fun with Hot Hits"; Watley was the creative for the wardrobe and choreography for the group.

SHALAMAR Great Britain Dominion Theatre Archive

SHALAMAR with Jeffrey Daniel. Jody Watley and Howard Hewett Dominion Theatre Concert Uk 1982. Photo by David Corio