The Stone City Band was the backing band for Rick James. They played on his hits as well as backing him on live performances. They also had a number of hits of their own.
Background The group was put together by Rick James in the late 1970s.Museum of Canadian Music - Stone City Band The hits that the group played on include, "You and I", "Super Freak", "Mary Jane", "Bustin’ Out", "Ghetto Life" and "Fire and Desire".Pyramid Entertainment Group - Stone City Band The group's own hits include, "Strut Your Stuff", "Little Runaway", "Bad Lady" and "Ladies Choice".MusicVF.com - The Stone City Band Top Songs, Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography
Career The original Stone City Band was formed by Rick James and keyboardist Ed Roth around 1972. The other members included Danny Marks on guitar, Malcolm Tomlinson on drums and vocals, and Peter Hodgson on bass. Hodgson had been a member of Rhinoceros, a group that recorded for Elektra Records. From 23 May until 2 June, the band recorded a dozen tracks at a home studio belonging to Bruce Anthony. The tracks weren't released.The Funk Store - RICK JAMES SUPERFREAK TOUR 1982The Strange Brew, 17 Feb, 2025 - Before the Super Freak: The Untold Origins of Rick James
By the late 1970s, there was a new Stone City Band.The Funk Store - RICK JAMES SUPERFREAK TOUR 1982 The first recording credit for the group was on Rick James' 1978 album, Come Get It!.Motown Encyclopedia, By Graham Betts · 2014 - - THE STONE CITY BAND
In 1980, the group's album, Rick James Presents the Stone City Band, In 'n' Out was released. The musicians also included John Ervin on trombone and Cliff Ervin on trumpet.Jazz Music Archives - RICK JAMES — Rick James Presents The Stone City Band : In 'N' Out, Line-up/Musicians It included the tracks, "Little Runaway", "Strut Your Stuff", "Party Girls", "In 'N' Out", "Havin' You Around", "South American Sneeze", and "F.I.M.A. (Funk In Mama Afrika)".Jazz Archives - RICK JAMES — Rick James Presents The Stone City Band : In 'N' Out, Tracklist The group released the single, "Strut Your Stuff" on Gordy G 7179F. It was in the Singles to Watch section of Cash Box, 9 February issue. Referring to the music as polished funk, the reviewer also mentioned the bright chorus by the female singers and gruff male vocals complementing them. The reviewer also mentioned the horns, percussion and weaving bass, finishing off with referring to it as exceptional B/C fare.Cash Box, February 9, 1980 - Page 17 SINGLES TO WATCH, THE STONE CITY BAND (Gordy G 7179F) Strut Your Stuff The single entered the Billboard Soul Singles chart on 3 August 1980. It peaked at no. 48 during its nine-week run.Records And Charts - Rhythm + Blues chart run Stone City Band Strut Your Stuff
In 1983 the group released the album Meet the Stone City Band! Out From the Shadows on Gordy 6042G.Museum of Canadian Music - Stone City Band - Meet The Stone City Band! Out From The Shadow This was to be the album that was going show the band emerging from under Rick James' shadow. Unfortunately, James was having issues with Motown, which in turn affected the band as well as other acts in James' fold.Motown Encyclopedia, By Graham Betts · 2014 - - THE STONE CITY BAND
The group's single, "Bad Lady" bw "Bad Lady (Instrumental)" was released on Gordy 1681GF in May 1983.45Cat - Stone City Band - Discography, USA, Stone City Band, Bad Lady (vocal) It debuted in the Black Singles chart on 2 July and peaked at no. 76 during its four-week run.Records And Charts - “Bad Lady” by Stone City Band 1983
2020s The members of the band in the 2020s are Oscar Alston, Lanise Hughes, Nate Guido Hughes, Danny Lemelle, Tom McDermott and Levi Ruffin.Pyramid Entertainment Group - Stone City Band
Members Early 1970s line up (formed 1972) Peter Hodgson -bass Rick James - vocals Ed Roth - keyboards Danny Marks - guitar Malcolm Tomlinson - drums, vocals The Funk Store - RICK JAMES SUPERFREAK TOUR 1982The Strange Brew, 17 Feb, 2025 - Before the Super Freak: The Untold Origins of Rick James
Original line up (formed late 1970s) Oscar Alston - bass Lanise Hughes - drums David LeMelle - saxophone Tom McDermott - guitar Levi Ruffin Jr - keyboards Erskine Williams - keyboards Motown Encyclopedia, By Graham Betts · 2014 - - THE STONE CITY BAND
References
External links Discogs - Stone City Band