The dramatics

The Dramatics was an American Soul - singing group , which in 1964 in Detroit , Michigan was founded. The biggest hits are Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (1971), In the Rain (1972), Me and Mrs. Jones (1975), Be My Girl (1976) and Shake It Well (1977). The album Do What You Wanna Do (1978) was awarded a gold record .

Band history

The first line-up of the original vocal sextet consisted of Rob Davis, Ron Banks, Larry Reed, Robert Ellington, Larry "Squirrel" Demps and Elbert Wilkens. The formation released their first two singles , Bingo and Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo , in 1966 on the Detroit-based label Wingate. The first 500 copies of the single Bingo appeared due to a printing error under the band name The Dynamics.

After Ellington left, the group continued as a quintet and switched to Sport Records. The song All Because of You , which was released there, became the band's first small hit in 1967 and entered the Top 50 on the Billboard R&B charts. Despite the success, some band members were discouraged, which led to a major reshuffle: William "Wee Gee" Howard replaced Reed and Willie Ford came on for Rob Davis. The formation also signed a contract with producer Don Davis.

In the years 1967 to 1971 the band remained unproductive and only three unsuccessful singles appeared. In 1971 Don Davis brought the musicians into the studio to record the song Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get written by Tony Hester . The single was released on Volt Records, a sub-label of Stax Records , reached number 3 on the R&B charts and became a first hit on the pop charts , where it rose to number 9. Another, albeit less successful, hit single followed with Get Up and Get Down .

The third song written by Hester, In the Rain , rose to number 5 on the pop charts in early 1972 and became the number one hit on the R&B charts. This makes it the most successful single in the band's history. Nevertheless, there were further changes in the line-up. Larry "LJ" Reynolds, who was previously a member of Chocolate Syrup, met Dramatics founder Banks after performing at the Apollo Theater . Because Howard wasn't there that night, Reynolds auditioned backstage . A little later, he signed a contract with Don Davis' production company and occasionally replaced Howard on appearances.

1973 Howard left the group permanently and Reynolds became a permanent member. The first single to have his voice heard is Hey You! Get Off My Mountain . It was placed in the top 50 in the pop charts and number 5 in the R&B charts. At this time Lenny Mayes came to replace Wilkens, who could no longer identify with the band and then founded his own band, also called The Dramatics, and toured the USA. During the legal dispute over the naming rights, the original band called themselves "Ron Banks & the Dramatics" until mid-1975 and switched to ABC Records . Meanwhile, Me and Mrs. Jones , which climbed to number 4 on the R&B charts, and (I'm Going By) The Stars in Your Eyes , which came to number 22, were released as single.

During the disco - era in the late 1970s, the band get a few hits on the R & B charts, including the top 10 achievements You're Fooling You (1975), Be My Girl (1976) and I Can not Get Over You and Shake It Well (both 1977). 1979 came the change to MCA Records , in the 1980s to Capitol Records and Fantasy Records . The last R&B top 10 placement was in 1980 for Welcome Back Home . In 1981 Reynolds began a solo career and the band temporarily split. Until 2002, the formation got back together every three to four years to release new material and occasionally give concerts.

occupation

Founding members

• Rob Davis
• Ronald Dean "Ron" Banks (born May 10, 1951 in Detroit; † March 4, 2010 there)
• Larry Reed
• Robert Ellington
• Larry "Squirrel" Demps (born February 23, 1949 in Detroit)
• Elbert Wilkens († December 13, 1992)

Later members

• Willie Lee Ford, Jr. (born July 10, 1980 in LaGrange, Georgia) - joined Davis in 1967
• William "Wee Gee" Howard (actually William Franklin Howard II ; born July 13, 1950 in Detroit; † February 22, 2000 in New York) - joined Reed in 1967
• Larry James "LJ" Reynolds (born January 27, 1952 in Saginaw, Michigan) - joined Howard in 1972
• Leonard Cornell "Lenny" Mayes (born April 5, 1951 in Detroit, † November 8, 2004 in Southfield, Michigan) - joined Wilkens in 1972
• Barrington Henderson (* actually Barrington Scott ) - joined in the 1980s
• Gary Allen Wiggins (born November 10, 1952 in Detroit)

Discography

Studio albums

year	Title music label	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes)		Remarks
		US	R&B
1972	Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get Volt 6018	US20 (24 weeks) US	R&B5 (28 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1972 Producer: Tony Hester
1973	A Dramatic Experience Volt 6019	US86 (18 weeks) US	R&B11 (18 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1973 Producer: Tony Hester
1974	The Dells vs. The Dramatics Cadet 60027	US156 (6 weeks) US	R&B15 (25 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1974 with The Dells producers: Don Davis, Tony Hester
	Dramatically Yours Volt 9501	-	R&B36 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1974 Ron Banks & the Dramatics Producers: Don Davis, Jimmy Roach
1975	The Dramatic Jackpot ABC 867	US31 (18 weeks) US	R&B9 (21 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1975 Ron Banks & the Dramatics Producer: Don Davis
	Drama V ABC 916	US93 (12 weeks) US	R&B10 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: November 1975 Executive Producer : Don Davis
1976	Joy Ride ABC 955	US103 (25 weeks) US	R&B11 (30 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1976 Executive Producer: Don Davis
1977	Shake It Well ABC 1010	US60 (19 weeks) US	R&B10 (25 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1977 Producers: Don Davis, Tony Hester, Eddie Robinson
1978	Do What You Wanna Do ABC 1072	US44 gold (15 weeks)US	R&B6 (24 weeks) R&B	First published: May 1978 Producers: Larry James Reynolds, Ron Banks
1979	Anytime, Anyplace ABC 1125	-	R&B15 (24 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1979 Producer: Don Davis
1980	10½ MCA 3196	US61 (12 weeks) US	R&B14 (16 weeks) R&B	First published: February 1980 Producers: Larry James Reynolds, Ron Banks
	The Dramatic Way MCA 5146	-	R&B38 (24 weeks) R&B	First published: November 1980 Producers: Don Davis, Ron Banks
1982	New Dimension Capitol 12205	-	R&B40 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1982 Producers: Ron Banks, Raymond Johnson
1989	Positive State of Mind Volt 3402	-	R&B80 (9 weeks) R&B	First published: May 1989 Producer: Ben Crosby

More studio albums

• 1985: Somewhere in Time (A Dramatic Reunion) ( Fantasy 9642)
• 1987: Me And Mrs. Jones (MCA 20384)
• 1990: Stone Cold (Volt 3407)
• 1994: Mellow Drama (Groovesville 1025)
• 1997: A Dramatic Christmas: The Very Best Christmas of All (Fantasy 9680)
• 1999: If You Come Back to Me (Volt 3414)
• 2001: Look Inside (Northcoast Investments, LLC 35486)

Live albums

• 1988: The Dramatics Live (Stax 8545)
• 2002: Greatest Hits Live (Stax 7502)

Compilations

• 1974: The Best of the Dramatics (Volt 9506)
• 1978: Their Greatest Recordings (ABC 11103)
• 1984: The Best of the Dramatics (Stax 8526)
• 1994: Joy Ride (MCA Special Products 20537)
• 1998: Shake It Well: The Best of the Dramatics 1974–1980 (MCA 11839)
• 1998: Be My Girl: Their Greatest Love Songs ( Hip-O 40087)
• 1999: Say the Word: Their Greatest Love Songs, Vol. 2 (Hip-O 40148)
• 2000: Ultimate Collection (Hip-O 314 560 196)
• 2005: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Dramatics (Hip-O B0005217-02)
• 2007: The Very Best of the Dramatics (Stax 30304)
• 2009: Soul Six Pack (EP; Stax)
• 2013: The Lost Episode (DPK)
• 2014: Greatest Slow Jams (Stax)

Singles

year	Title album	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes)		Remarks
		US	R&B
1967	All Because of You	-	R&B43 (2 weeks) R&B	First published: May 1967 B-side of If You Haven't Got Love Authors: Andre Williams, Sidney Barnes
1971	Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get	US9 (15 weeks) US	R&B3 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1971 Author: Tony Hester
	Get Up and Get Down Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get	US78 (7 weeks) US	R&B16 (11 weeks) R&B	First published: November 1971 Author: Tony Hester
1972	In the Rain Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get	US5 (13 weeks) US	R&B1 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: February 1972 Author: Tony Hester
	Toast to the Fool Dramatically Yours	US67 (9 weeks) US	R&B18 (10 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1972 Authors: Arthur Snyder, Don Davis
1973	Hey you! Get Off My Mountain A Dramatic Experience	US43 (12 weeks) US	R&B5 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1973 Author: Tony Hester
	Fell for You A Dramatic Experience	US45 (10 weeks) US	R&B12 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1973 Author: Tony Hester
1974	And I Panicked Dramatically Yours	-	R&B49 (10 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1974 Author: Jimmy Roach
	Door to Your Heart The Dells vs. The dramatics	US62 (6 weeks) US	R&B25 (14 weeks) R&B	First published: May 1974 Author: Tony Hester
	Choosing Up on You The Dells vs. The dramatics	-	R&B30 (10 weeks) R&B	B-side of Door to Your Heart Author: Tony Hester
	Don't Make Me No Promises The Dells vs. The dramatics	-	R&B63 (6 weeks) R&B	First published: November 1974 Author: Tony Hester
	Tune Up The Dells vs. The dramatics	-	R&B74 (6 weeks) R&B	B-side of Don't Make Me No Promises Author: Willie Schofield
1975	Me and Mrs. Jones The Dramatic Jackpot	US47 (9 weeks) US	R&B4 (12 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1975 Ron Banks & the Dramatics Authors: Kenny Gamble , Leon Huff , Cary Gilbert Original: Billy Paul , 1972
	Love Is Missing from Our Lives The Dells vs. The dramatics	-	R&B46 (10 weeks) R&B	First published: July 1975 with The Dells Author: Tony Hester
	(I'm Going By) The Stars in Your Eyes The Dramatic Jackpot	US81 (3 weeks) US	R&B22 (16 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1975 Ron Banks & the Dramatics Writer: Tony Hester
	You're Fooling You Drama V	US87 (3 weeks) US	R&B10 (16 weeks) R&B	First published: December 1975 Author: Tony Hester
1976	Treat Me Like a Man Drama V	-	R&B49 (6 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1976 Author: Michael Henderson
	Finger Fever Joy Ride	-	R&B23 (14 weeks) R&B	First published: September 1976 Author: Tony Hester
	Be My Girl Joy Ride	US53 (15 weeks) US	R&B3 (19 weeks) R&B	First published: December 1976 Author: Michael Henderson
1977	I Can't Get Over You Joy Ride	-	R&B9 (17 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1977 Author: Norma Toney
	Shake It Well Shake It Well	US76 (6 weeks) US	R&B4 (20 weeks) R&B	First publication: August 1977 Authors: Don Davis, Eddi Robinson
1978	Ocean of Thoughts and Dreams Shake It Well	-	R&B17 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1978 Authors: Don Davis, Eddi Robinson
	Stop Your Weeping Do What You Wanna Do	-	R&B22 (12 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1978 Author: Larry James Reynolds
	Do What You Want to Do Do What You Wanna Do	-	R&B56 (7 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1978 Authors: Daryl Hall , John Oates Original: Hall & Oates - Do What You Want, Be What You Are , 1976
1979	I Just Wanna Dance with You Anytime, Anyplace	-	R&B35 (10 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1979 Authors: Don Davis, Cecil Womack
	That's My Favorite Song Anytime, Anyplace	-	R&B40 (12 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1979 Authors: Cecil Womack, Shirley Womack, Don Davis
1980	Welcome Back Home 10½	-	R&B9 (18 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1980 Authors: Darnell Kimbrough, Raymond Johnson, Ron Banks, Tony Green
	Be with the One You Love 10½	-	R&B79 (3 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1980 Author: Larry James Reynolds
	Get It The Dramatic Way	-	R&B59 (9 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1980 Authors: Ron Banks, Edward Anthony Green
	You're the Best Thing in My Life The Dramatic Way	-	R&B26 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: December 1980 Authors: Deborah Dennard, Jakki Milligan
1982	Live It Up New Dimension	-	R&B40 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1982 Authors: Raymond Johnson, Ron Banks
	Treat Me Right New Dimension	-	R&B62 (8 weeks) R&B	First published: July 1982 Authors: Raymond Johnson, Ron Banks
1986	One Love Ago Somewhere in Time (A Dramatic Reunion)	-	R&B61 (9 weeks) R&B	First published: May 1986 Authors: Claytoven Richardson, Frederick L. Pittman, Cynthia Grace
1989	Bridge over Troubled Water Positive State of Mind	-	R&B93 (3 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1989 Author: Paul Simon Original: Simon & Garfunkel , 1970
1996	Try love again	-	R&B82 (16 weeks) R&B	First published: September 1996 Author: Lynell Webster

More singles

• 1966: Bingo! (Release: August)
• 1967: Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo (release: January)
• 1967: If You Haven't Got Love (released May)
• 1969: Your Love Was Strange (release: October)
• 1974: Choosing Up on You (release: May)
• 1974: Highway to Heaven (with Ron Banks; release: July)
• 1975: No Rebate on Love (released September)
• 1978: Why Do You Want to Do Me Wrong (release: December)
• 1986: Luv's Calling
• 1986: One Love Ago
• 1988: Born to Be Wild

statistics

Chart evaluation

US  R&B Number one albums US-US R&B-R&B Top 10 albums US-US R&B5R&B Albums in the charts US9US R&B14thR&B

US  R&B Number one singles US-US R&B1R&B Top 10 singles US2US R&B9R&B Singles in the charts US12US R&B35R&B

swell

1. ↑ ^{a b} Chart sources: Billboard Hot 100 Billboard 200
2. ↑ ^{a b} gold / platinum database US
3. ^ Joel Whitburn : Top R&B Albums 1965–1998, ISBN 0-89820-134-9 .
4. ^ Joel Whitburn : Hot R&B Songs 1942–2010: 6th Edition, ISBN 978-0-89820-186-4 .

Web links

• The Dramatics at Allmusic (English)
• The Dramatics at Discogs (English)
• The Dramatics at 45cat.com