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| years_active = 1979–1994, 2003–present
| years_active = 1979–1994, 2003–present
| label = [[SOLAR Records|SOLAR]], [[MCA Records|MCA]]
| label = [[SOLAR Records|SOLAR]], [[MCA Records|MCA]]
| associated_acts = [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Madame X (band)|Madame X]], [[The Time (band)|The Time]], [[Cherrelle]], [[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]], [[Dallas Austin]], [[Bette Midler]]
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
*[[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
*[[Madame X (band)|Madame X]]
*[[The Time (band)|The Time]]
*[[Cherrelle]]
*[[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]]
*[[Dallas Austin]]
*[[Bette Midler]]
| current_members = Bernadette Cooper<br/>Robbin Grider<br/>[[Joyce Irby]]<br/>Lynn Malsby<br/>Lorena Shelby<br/>Cheryl Cooley
| past_members = [[Penny Ford]]<br/>M. Ann Williams<br/>Judy Takeuchi
}}
}}
| current_members = Bernadette Cooper<br/>Robbin Grider<br/>[[Joyce Irby]]<br/>Lynn Malsby<br/>Lorena Shelby<br/>
'''Klymaxx''' is an American all-female [[Pop music|pop]]/[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] band from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. The band was composed of sole founder Bernadette Cooper, and members Lorena Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley, Robbin Grider, Lynn Malsby, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby.
| past_members = [[Penny Ford]]<br/>M. Ann Williams<br/>Judy Takeuchi<br/>Cheryl Cooley<br/>
}}
'''Klymaxx''' is an American all-female [[Pop music|pop]]/[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] band from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. The band's classic lineup consisted of Bernadette Cooper, Lorena Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley, Robbin Grider, Lynn Malsby, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby. Klymaxx is best known for their 1985 international hit "[[I Miss You (Klymaxx song)|I Miss You]]".


==History==
==History==
Klymaxx was created and formed in 1979 by Bernadette Cooper (producer/drummer/vocals); the other original members included Lorena Porter Shelby (lead vocals), Cheryl Cooley (guitar), Robbin Grider (keyboards), and Lynn Malsby (keyboards). [[Joyce Irby|Joyce "Fenderella" Irby]] (bass/vocals/producer) joined the band later, before the recording of their debut album. The women developed their core sound in rehearsal, and continued with Cooper becoming the band's figurehead. Their debut album ''[[Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman]]'' was released in 1981, and their second album was ''[[Girls Will Be Girls (Klymaxx album)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''.
Klymaxx was created and formed in 1979 by Bernadette Cooper (producer/drummer/vocals); she also created the name klymaxx. The other original members included Lorena "Lungs" Porter Shelby (lead vocals), Cheryl Cooley (guitar), Robbin Grider (keyboards/guitar), and Lynn Malsby (keyboards). [[Joyce Irby|Joyce "Fenderella" Irby]] (bass/vocals/producer) joined the band later, before the recording of their debut album.<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last1=Huey|first1=Steve|title=Artist Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/klymaxx-mn0000101953/biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> Bernadette developed their core sound and continued becoming the band's figurehead. Their debut album ''[[Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman]]'' was released in 1981, and their second album was ''[[Girls Will Be Girls (Klymaxx album)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''.


However, their first album to achieve national recognition was 1984 released ''[[Meeting in the Ladies Room]]'', featuring the top 5 US ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B chart]] successes "[[The Men All Pause]]," written by Cooper and Irby, and the [[Meeting in the Ladies Room (song)|title track]]. The band's self-produced "I Miss You," penned by Lynn Malsby, became the band's pop breakthrough, peaking at #5 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]. Lorena Lung's vocals gave Klymaxx a clear distinctive sound, Bernadette Cooper added the spoken word vibe and a musical direction that became their distinctive sound. Critics mentioned that Irby's voice was similar to [[Michael Jackson]]'s, according to music historian Scot Brown.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCklDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA175 |page=174-75 |title=Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation |author=Portia K. Maultsby and Mellonee V. Burnim |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2016|isbn=9781315472089 }}</ref>
However, their first album to achieve national recognition was 1984 released ''[[Meeting in the Ladies Room]]'', featuring the top 5 US ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B chart]] success "[[The Men All Pause]]", written by Bernadette Cooper and Irby, and the [[Meeting in the Ladies Room (song)|title track]]. The band's self-produced "[[I Miss You (Klymaxx song)|I Miss You]]", penned by Lynn Malsby, became the band's pop breakthrough,<ref name="AllMusic"/> peaking at #5 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]].<ref name="allmusic">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/klymaxx-mn0000101953/awards|title=US Charts > Klymaxx|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=2012-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106193028/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/klymaxx-mn0000101953/awards|archive-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> Lorena Lungs' vocals gave Klymaxx a clear distinctive sound, while Bernadette Cooper added the spoken word vibe and a musical direction that became their distinctive sound. Critics mentioned that Irby's voice was similar to [[Michael Jackson]]'s, according to music historian Scot Brown.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCklDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA175|page=174-75|title=Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation|author=Portia K. Maultsby and Mellonee V. Burnim|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2016|isbn=9781315472089}}</ref>


The classic lineup disbanded in 1989,<ref name=BET>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/music/photos/2013/05/when-artists-fight-over-a-group-name.html#!071811-Music-Power-Couples-Ike-Tina-Turner|publisher=BET|title=When Artists Fight Over a Group Name|date=May 2013|page=7}}</ref> though several members regrouped sporadically as Klymaxx over the next five years to release further albums.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cz5bAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT810|title=Burt Bacharach: Song By Song|author=Serene Dominic |publisher=Schirmer Trade Books|year=2003|isbn=9780857122599}}</ref> Following the breakup there was a legal confrontation involving Cooley’s unauthorized use of the band's name and trademark,<ref name=BET /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wtlcfm.com/27001/tv-ones-unsung-features-all-female-band-klymaxx/|publisher=106.7 WTLC FM|title=TV-One's "Unsung" Features All Female Band Klymaxx|date=November 15, 2009}}</ref> leading to the trademark decision ''Cheryl Cooley v. Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/ttab_cases/58f5e1d4a8fd6907d600008a|publisher=Law360|title=Cheryl Cooley v Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby}}</ref> The ladies agreed to and also, per the ''Truth In Music Advertising Act'', members are allowed to tour, as Klymaxx but must differentiate which version by adding their names.
Bernadette Cooper wrote and produced much of the band's material, and subsequently began writing and producing for other artists from the mid-80s onward, including [[Cheryl Lynn]], [[Shalamar]], [[Madame_X_(band)|Madame X]] and [[Mazarati]]. She subsequently signed to [[MCA Records]] as a solo artist, and released the 1990 album ''Drama According to Bernadette Cooper'', featuring cameo appearances from [[Teena Marie]] and [[Chuckii Booker]].


Five of the six members from the classic Klymaxx lineup (with Robbin Grider being the one exception) met up together in a 2004 episode of ''VH1's [[Bands Reunited]]'', for which they had been invited to perform.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-29-et-lewis29-story.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 29, 2003|title=Discord, with a little harmony|author=Randy Lewis}}</ref> Cooley appeared, but due to the unresolved friction/tension with other band members, she was not allowed to perform during the group's concert. Around this time, there was also an SNL episode featuring Halle Berry portraying Cooper. Klymaxx officially reformed shortly afterward, now billed as Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper. Currently, individual members tour under Klymaxx featuring their namesake.
The group disbanded in 1989,<ref name=BET>{{cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/music/photos/2013/05/when-artists-fight-over-a-group-name.html#!071811-Music-Power-Couples-Ike-Tina-Turner |publisher=BET |title=When Artists Fight Over a Group Name|date=May 2013|page=7}}</ref> with some members releasing further albums.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cz5bAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT810 |title=Burt Bacharach: Song By Song |author=Serene Dominic |publisher=Schirmer Trade Books |year=2003|isbn=9780857122599 }}</ref> Following the breakup there was a legal confrontation involving Cooley’s unauthorized use of the band's name and trademark,<ref name=BET /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wtlcfm.com/27001/tv-ones-unsung-features-all-female-band-klymaxx/|publisher=106.7 WTLC FM|title=TV-One's "Unsung" Features All Female Band Klymaxx}}</ref> leading to the trademark decision ''Cheryl Cooley v. Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law360.com/ttab_cases/58f5e1d4a8fd6907d600008a |publisher=Law360 |title=Cheryl Cooley v Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby}}</ref> The ladies agreed to and also, per the truth In music advertising act, members are allowed to tour, as Klymaxx but must differentiate which version by adding their names. Cooley appeared again together in a 2004 episode of ''VH1's Bands Reunited''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-29-et-lewis29-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=December 29, 2003 |title=Discord, with a little harmony |author=Randy Lewis}} Klymaxx officially reformed shortly afterward, now billed as Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper.</ref>


In 2009, all six members of the classic lineup participated in the group's episode of the [[TV One (American TV channel)|TV One]] series ''[[Unsung (TV series)|Unsung]]''.
Klymaxx officially reformed shortly after The series Bands Reunited and the SNL episode featuring Halle Berry Portraying Cooper. Now individual members tour under Klymaxx featuring their namesake.


On June 25, 2021, Klymaxx was inducted into the [[Women Songwriters Hall of Fame]]. All the members of Klymaxx accused the organization of honoring the touring lineup featuring Cheryl Cooley, whose contributions were minimal. Cooper, Malsby, and Joyce Irby noted that Cooley had edited the songwriting shares on [[ASCAP]] and [[Sony Music Publishing]], by adding her name to the writing credits or taking sole credit in ASCAP's database.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9593071/klymaxx-women-songwriters-hall-of-fame-cheryl-cooley-dispute/|title=Klymaxx Members Say Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Is Inducting the Wrong Band|first=Frank|last=DiGiacomo|date=June 25, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> On the same day, Billboard magazine released a follow-up article bringing light to the fraudulent attempt uncovered by ASCAP and Sony ATV publishing.
Klymaxx was among hundreds of artists whose material was destroyed in the [[2008 Universal fire]].<ref name="Rosen2">{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Jody |title=Here Are Hundreds More Artists Whose Tapes Were Destroyed in the UMG Fire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/25/magazine/universal-music-fire-bands-list-umg.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=28 June 2019 |date=25 June 2019}}</ref>

On June 25, 2021, Klymaxx was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. Bernadette Cooper and Lynn Malsby accused the organization of honoring the touring lineup featuring Cheryl Cooley, whose contributions were minimal. Cooper, Malsby and Joyce Irby noted that Cooley had edited the songwriting shares on [[ASCAP]] and [[Sony Music Publishing]], by adding her name to the writing credits or taking sole credit in ASCAP's database.<ref>https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9593071/klymaxx-women-songwriters-hall-of-fame-cheryl-cooley-dispute/</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==


{{Main article|Klymaxx discography}}
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="4"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]
! rowspan="2"| Record label
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="35"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br><ref name="allmusic">{{cite magazine|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4695|pure_url=yes}}|title=US Charts > Klymaxx|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=2012-09-28}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br>R&B]]<br><ref name="allmusic"/>
! width="35"| [[RPM (magazine)|CAN]]<br><ref name="can">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=uiur2rf8ho7gg991ndujt08sr6&q1=Mary+Jane+Girls&q2=&interval=20|title=CAN Charts > Mary Jane Girls|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=2012-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824222819/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=uiur2rf8ho7gg991ndujt08sr6&q1=Mary+Jane+Girls&q2=&interval=20|archive-date=2017-08-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|NZ]]<br><ref name="nz">{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Klymaxx |title=NZ Charts > Klymaxx |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] |access-date=2012-09-28 }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1981
| align="left"| ''[[Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman]]''
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
| rowspan="3"| [[SOLAR Records|SOLAR]]
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1982
| align="left"| ''[[Girls Will Be Girls (Klymaxx album)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1983
| align="left"| ''Girls in the Band'' {{ref label|Note1|A|A}}
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1984
| align="left"| ''[[Meeting in the Ladies Room]]''
| 18
| 9
| 46
| 18
|
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]: Gold<ref name=riaa>{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Klymaxx|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| [[MCA Records|Constellation]]
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1986
| align="left"| ''[[Klymaxx (album)|Klymaxx]]''
| 98
| 25
| —
| —
|
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1990
| align="left"| ''[[The Maxx Is Back]]''
| 168
| 32
| —
| —
|
| rowspan="1"| [[MCA Records|MCA]]
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1994
| align="left"| ''[[One Day (Klymaxx album)|One Day]]''
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
| rowspan="1"| [[Valley Vue Records|Valley Vue]]
|-
| align="center" colspan="9"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|-
|}
* {{note label|Note1|A|A}}Album was never released

===Compilation albums===
*''[[Greatest Hits (Klymaxx album)|Greatest Hits]]'' (1996, [[MCA Records|MCA]])
*''20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Klymaxx'' (2003, MCA)


;Studio albums
===Singles===
* ''[[Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman]]'' (1981)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
* ''[[Girls Will Be Girls (Klymaxx album)|Girls Will Be Girls]]'' (1982)
|-
* ''[[Meeting in the Ladies Room]]'' (1984)
! rowspan="2"| Year
* ''[[Klymaxx (album)|Klymaxx]]'' (1986)
! rowspan="2"| Title
* ''[[The Maxx Is Back]]'' (1990)
! colspan="9"| Peak chart positions
* ''[[One Day (Klymaxx album)|One Day]]'' (1994)
! rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]
! rowspan="2"| Album
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="35"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br><ref name="allmusic"/>
! width="35"| [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br>R&B]]<br><ref name="allmusic"/>
! width="35"| [[Hot Dance Club Songs|US<br>Dan]]<br><ref name="allmusic"/>
! width="35"| [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|US<br>A/C]]<br><ref name="allmusic"/>
! width="35"| [[VRT Top 30|BEL]]<br><ref name="bel">{{cite web|url=http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/artist-info/1817 |title=BEL Charts > Klymaxx |publisher=[[VRT Top 30]] |access-date=2012-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409063716/http://top30-2.radio2.be/ |archive-date=2012-04-09 }}</ref>
! width="35"| [[RPM (magazine)|CAN]]<br><ref name="can"/>
! width="35"| [[MegaCharts|NLD]]<br><ref name="nld">{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Klymaxx|title=NLD Charts > Klymaxx|publisher=[[MegaCharts]]|access-date=2012-09-28}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|NZ]]<br><ref name="nz"/>
! width="35"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/23058/klymaxx/|title=UK Charts > Klymaxx|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"|1981
| align="left"| "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman"
| &mdash;
| 74
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
| align="left" rowspan="2"| ''Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman''
|-
| align="left"| "I Want to Love You Tonight"
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|1982
| align="left"| "Heartbreaker (I'm Such a Mess)"
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
| align="left" rowspan="2"| ''Girls Will Be Girls''
|-
| align="left"| "Wild Girls"
| &mdash;
| 78
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1983
| align="left"| "Multi-Purpose Girl"
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
| align="left" rowspan="1"| ''Girls in the Band''
|-
| rowspan="1"|1984
| align="left"| "[[The Men All Pause]]"
| 105
| 5
| 9
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
| align="left" rowspan="5"| ''Meeting in the Ladies Room''
|-
| rowspan="3"|1985
| align="left"| "[[Meeting in the Ladies Room (song)|Meeting in the Ladies Room]]"
| 59
| 4
| 22
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| align="left"| "[[Lock and Key (Klymaxx song)|Lock and Key]]"
| &mdash;
| 47
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| align="left"| "[[I Miss You (Klymaxx song)|I Miss You]]"
| 5
| 11
| &mdash;
| 3
| 28
| 1
| 32
| 2
| 89
|
* [[Music Canada|MC]]: Gold<ref name=MusicCanada>{{cite certification|region=Canada|artist=Klymaxx|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"|1986
| align="left"| "The Men All Pause" <small>(re-release)</small>
| 80
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| align="left"| "[[Man Size Love]]"
| 15
| 43
| 18
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| 55
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| 86
|
| align="left" rowspan="4"| ''Klymaxx''
|-
| align="left"| "[[Sexy (Klymaxx Song)|Sexy]]"
| &mdash;
| 18
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|1987
| align="left"| "[[I'd Still Say Yes]]"
| 18
| 7
| &mdash;
| 8
| &mdash;
| 50
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| align="left"| "[[Divas Need Love Too]]"
| &mdash;
| 14
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| rowspan="3"|1990
| align="left"| "[[Good Love (Klymaxx song)|Good Love]]"
| &mdash;
| 4
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| 89
|
| align="left" rowspan="3"| ''The Maxx Is Back''
|-
| align="left"| "[[Private Party (Klymaxx song)|Private Party]]"
| &mdash;
| 62
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| align="left"| "When You Kiss Me"
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1994
| align="left"| "All I Think About Is You"
| —
| 124
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
| align="left" rowspan="1"| ''One Day''
|-
| align="center" colspan="13"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|-
|}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 07:33, 20 March 2024

Not to be confused with Climax (band).

Klymaxx
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresPop, R&B, dance-pop
Years active1979–1994, 2003–present
LabelsSOLAR, MCA
MembersBernadette Cooper
Robbin Grider
Joyce Irby
Lynn Malsby
Lorena Shelby
Past membersPenny Ford
M. Ann Williams
Judy Takeuchi
Cheryl Cooley

Klymaxx is an American all-female pop/R&B band from Los Angeles, California. The band's classic lineup consisted of Bernadette Cooper, Lorena Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley, Robbin Grider, Lynn Malsby, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby. Klymaxx is best known for their 1985 international hit "I Miss You".

History[edit]

Klymaxx was created and formed in 1979 by Bernadette Cooper (producer/drummer/vocals); she also created the name klymaxx. The other original members included Lorena "Lungs" Porter Shelby (lead vocals), Cheryl Cooley (guitar), Robbin Grider (keyboards/guitar), and Lynn Malsby (keyboards). Joyce "Fenderella" Irby (bass/vocals/producer) joined the band later, before the recording of their debut album.[1] Bernadette developed their core sound and continued becoming the band's figurehead. Their debut album Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman was released in 1981, and their second album was Girls Will Be Girls.

However, their first album to achieve national recognition was 1984 released Meeting in the Ladies Room, featuring the top 5 US Billboard R&B chart success "The Men All Pause", written by Bernadette Cooper and Irby, and the title track. The band's self-produced "I Miss You", penned by Lynn Malsby, became the band's pop breakthrough,[1] peaking at #5 on the Hot 100.[2] Lorena Lungs' vocals gave Klymaxx a clear distinctive sound, while Bernadette Cooper added the spoken word vibe and a musical direction that became their distinctive sound. Critics mentioned that Irby's voice was similar to Michael Jackson's, according to music historian Scot Brown.[3]

The classic lineup disbanded in 1989,[4] though several members regrouped sporadically as Klymaxx over the next five years to release further albums.[5] Following the breakup there was a legal confrontation involving Cooley’s unauthorized use of the band's name and trademark,[4][6] leading to the trademark decision Cheryl Cooley v. Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby.[7] The ladies agreed to and also, per the Truth In Music Advertising Act, members are allowed to tour, as Klymaxx but must differentiate which version by adding their names.

Five of the six members from the classic Klymaxx lineup (with Robbin Grider being the one exception) met up together in a 2004 episode of VH1's Bands Reunited, for which they had been invited to perform.[8] Cooley appeared, but due to the unresolved friction/tension with other band members, she was not allowed to perform during the group's concert. Around this time, there was also an SNL episode featuring Halle Berry portraying Cooper. Klymaxx officially reformed shortly afterward, now billed as Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper. Currently, individual members tour under Klymaxx featuring their namesake.

In 2009, all six members of the classic lineup participated in the group's episode of the TV One series Unsung.

On June 25, 2021, Klymaxx was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. All the members of Klymaxx accused the organization of honoring the touring lineup featuring Cheryl Cooley, whose contributions were minimal. Cooper, Malsby, and Joyce Irby noted that Cooley had edited the songwriting shares on ASCAP and Sony Music Publishing, by adding her name to the writing credits or taking sole credit in ASCAP's database.[9] On the same day, Billboard magazine released a follow-up article bringing light to the fraudulent attempt uncovered by ASCAP and Sony ATV publishing.

Discography[edit]

Main article: Klymaxx discography
Studio albums

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Huey, Steve. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "US Charts > Klymaxx". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  3. ^ Portia K. Maultsby and Mellonee V. Burnim (2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis. p. 174-75. ISBN 9781315472089.
  4. ^ a b "When Artists Fight Over a Group Name". BET. May 2013. p. 7.
  5. ^ Serene Dominic (2003). Burt Bacharach: Song By Song. Schirmer Trade Books. ISBN 9780857122599.
  6. ^ "TV-One's "Unsung" Features All Female Band Klymaxx". 106.7 WTLC FM. November 15, 2009.
  7. ^ "Cheryl Cooley v Bernadette Cooper and Joyce Irby". Law360.
  8. ^ Randy Lewis (December 29, 2003). "Discord, with a little harmony". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ DiGiacomo, Frank (June 25, 2021). "Klymaxx Members Say Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Is Inducting the Wrong Band". Billboard.

External links[edit]

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