Weapons of Peace were a five-man music ensemble active in the 1970s. They had three hits from 1976 to 1977 in the R&B Soul charts.
Background Weapons of Peace were originally from Chicago. Lead singer and percussionist Finis Henderson III grew up in Chicago. He was the son of the vice-president of Sammy Davis Enterprises. He was a founding member of the group.Jazz Rock Soul, 31 Mar 2018 - Weapons of Peace, Members:Oxford Reference - Henderson Finis In addition to Henderson, the group was made up of Andrew Hardy on guitar and backing vocals, David Johnson on bass and backing vocals), Lonnell Dantzler on keyboards, and Bill Leathers on drums.Jazz Rock Soul, 31 Mar 2018 - Weapons of Peace, Members:
Career 1976 An article about Playboy Records VP Tom Takayoshi, "Takayoshi Sees Double Sales For Playboy" appeared in the 2 October 1976 issue of Record World. The article stated that Takayoshi had outlined the release of six new albums. Each of them would have their own promotion and merchandising campaign. In addition to releases by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Dennison, Mickey Gilley, Wynn Stewart and Greg Kihn, there would be debut albums by Weapons of Peace and Joey Stec.Record World, October 2, 1976 - Page 34 Takayoshi Sees Double Sales For Playboy Also in that issue, the progress of the group's single "Just Can't Be That Way (Ruth's Song)" was shown in the Record World 101 - 150 chart where it had moved up from 135 to 133.Record World, October 2, 1976 - Page 32 THE 101 150 SINGLES CHART OCTOBER 2, 1976, OCT. 2 133, SEPT. 25 135
The group released their Weapons of Peace album on Playboy PB 413, which was produced by Mark Davis. It was reviewed in the 9 October 1976 issue of Cash Box. The review was very positive, and the reviewer said that the band was very much in the tradition of Earth, Wind and Fire. With their single, "Just Can't Be That Way" making itself known, the reviewer said that any R&B radio outlet would be foolish to pass up on it and AOR outlets would want a piece of it too.Cash Box, October 9, 1976 - Page 30 ALBUM REVIEWS, PEACE IS OUR WEAPON, LOVE IS OUR SONG — Weapons Of Peace — Playboy PB 413 — Producer: Mark Davis — List: 6.98
The group's work with producer Mark Davis and executive producer Hillery Johnson which resulted in the single,Discogs - Weapons Of Peace – Just Can't Be That Way (Ruth's Song) "Just Can't Be That Way (Ruth's Song)" bw "Mighty Hard Man" peaked at no. 102 on the Cash Box singles chart.Ultimate 70s - Song: "Just Can't Be That Way (Ruth's Song)" It also peaked at no. 55 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart.Cash Box, October 30, 1976 - Page 49 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B October 30, 1976, 55, 10/23 59, Weeks On Chart 5Cash Box, November 6, 1976 - Page 48 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B November 6, 1976, 55, 10/30 55, Weeks On Chart 6Cash Box, November 13, 1976 - Page 39 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B November 13, 1976, 67, 11/6 55, Weeks On Chart 7 It also got to no. 64 on the Billboard chart.MusicVF.com - Weapons of Peace Top Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1976, 1. 10/1976 Just Can't Be That Way (Ruth's Song) by Weapons of Peace
1977 The group's single, "City" made its debut at no. 73 in the Record World R&B Singles chart on the week of 29 January 1977.Record World, January 29, 1977 - Page 80 THE R&B SINGLES CHART JANUARY 29, 1977, JAN. 29 73, JAN. 22 -
The group recorded their single "Roots Mural / Many Rains Ago (Oluwa)" which was released on Playboy P-6101. Record World columnist Dede Dabney had it as a sleeper in one of her three picks of the week in the 19 March issue. She suggested that the song which Quincy Jones had a hand in writing should be listened to and it was destined to cause an explosive reaction.Record World, March 19, 1977 - Page 46 SOUL TRUTH By DEDE DABNEY, R&B PICKS OF THE WEEK, SLEEPER, WEAPONS OF PEACE, "ROOTS MURAL/MANY RAINS AGO (OLUWA)" Also in that period, it was reported by Billboard that the group had been signed to Creative Direction in Chicago.Billboard, March 19, 1977 - Page 38 Talent, Signings
Their album was reissued in 1977 on Playboy PZ 34747. It was reviewed in the 25 June issue of Billboard. The reviewer's picks were "Roots (Mural Theme) / Many Rains Ago (Oluwa)" and "Just Can't Be This Way (Ruth's Song)".Discogs - Weapons Of Peace – Weapons Of PeaceBillboard, June 25, 1977 - Page 74 Billboard LPs * Continued from page 72, soul, WEAPONS Of PEACE, Playboy P134747 (CBS)
It was reported by Billboard in the magazine's 13 August issue that their management company Creative Direction Inc. had relocated to 233 E. Ontario, Suite 401, Chicago 60611.Billboard, August 13, 1977 - Page 47 Chi Firm Relocates
Later years In the 1980s, Lonnell Dantzler was a member of the funk and rap group Wreckin Crew.Jazz Rock Soul, 31 Mar 2018 - Weapons of Peace After Weapons of Peace had broken up, Finis Henderson made his way to Los Angeles. He also became a comedian. He was associated with Richard Pryor and gave material to Pryor. He received an invite from Pryor to tour with him as a support act. Henderson chose to pursue music and formed the soul group Prophesy.Oxford Reference - Henderson Finis In 1983 Finis Henderson released his Finis album.Jazz Rock Soul, 31 Mar 2018 - Weapons of Peace
Discography + Singles Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Weapons of Peace "Just Can't Be That Way (Ruth's Song)" / " Mighty Hard Man" Playboy P 6082 1976 Weapons of Peace "City" / "Both Same (As the Other)" Playboy P 6093 1976 Weapons of Peace "Roots Mural Theme / Many Rains Ago (Oluwa)" / "This Life's (About to Get Me Down)" Playboy 6101 1977 Weapons of Peace "Just Keep on Smiling" / "Growin' Stronger" Playboy ZS8 5812 1977
+ Albums Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Weapons of Peace Weapons Of Peace aka Peace is Our Weapon, Love is Our Song Playboy PB 413 1976 Weapons of Peace Weapons Of Peace Playboy PZ 34747 1977 Reissue.The song "Mighty Hard Man" has been replaced with "Roots (Mural Theme / Many Rains Ago (Oluwa)"
References
External links Weapons of Peace at Discogs