How Did the Random ? in the Group Get Top Billing?

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Maximus Rex
Maximus Rex Members Posts: 6,354 ✭✭✭✭✭
in R&B & Alternatives
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and Kool and the Gang are among the ones that come to mind. My question is how did what seemingly be the random background singer in the group get top billing? Was the ? that got top billing in the group the ? that had the money for studio time? Was he writing and producing the songs? Was it a concoction of the label? Seriously though, everybody knows that Harold Melvin and Blue Notes wasn't ? without Teddy Pendergrass.
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  • harry knucklez
    harry knucklez Members Posts: 2,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The Blue Notes were Harold Melvin's group, he picked who he wanted to be lead singer (like Teddy Pendergrass, David Ebo), he composed and arranged all of their music, he could fire & replace members, etc.. He was originally the lead singer when they first started but he eventually began playing the background role. I guess they might be the same case as Kool & The Gang.

    Think: I'm Charlie and y'all are the Angels. Sabrina can be the leader, but this is still my ? and I can replace y'all.
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  • _Goldie_
    _Goldie_ Members, Moderators, Writer Posts: 30,349 Regulator
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    Yall aint nothin without David Ruffin!!
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  • MECCA1000
    MECCA1000 Members Posts: 2,756 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wasn't Teddy Pendergrass the Blue Notes drummer until they found out he could sing like he did?

    JT wasn't always the lead singer of Kool & the Gang? ....... I didn't know this .....

    Both groups had some serious joints ....
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  • Maximus Rex
    Maximus Rex Members Posts: 6,354 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    MECCA1000 wrote: »
    Wasn't Teddy Pendergrass the Blue Notes drummer until they found out he could sing like he did?

    Think so.
    MECCA1000 wrote: »
    JT wasn't always the lead singer of Kool & the Gang? ....... I didn't know this .....

    Both groups had some serious joints ....

    Naw, during the 70's.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgGJdgseU5o

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKWkeLL7lho

    Kool & the Gang were a funk band and made songs like ^^^^.

    When the 80's rolled around and Kool & Gang, changed their sound, added JT as the lead singer and made songs like this.

     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ucSgiMErdI

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ1XwGDcA4


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  • king hassan
    king hassan Members Posts: 22,739 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    MECCA1000 wrote: »
    Wasn't Teddy Pendergrass the Blue Notes drummer until they found out he could sing like he did?

    JT wasn't always the lead singer of Kool & the Gang? ....... I didn't know this .....

    Both groups had some serious joints ....

    Kool & The Gang started off as a jazz group first
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