Sly, Slick & Wicked is an American
rhythm and blues band from
Cleveland, Ohio. The group was formed in 1970 by John (Sly) Wilson, Charles (Slick) Still, and Mark (Wicked) Saxton.
Two years after their formation, Terry Stubbs replaced Saxton and
Maurice Reedus Jr. became part of their backup musicians.
Their song "Stay My Love" was a Top Ten rhythm-and-blues song in 1971, and
Polydor issued a 1972 follow-up, "It's Not Easy."
On the strength of these recordings,
James Brown
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honor ...
asked them to work for
People Records, a sublabel of Polydor run by Brown. This made the band a part of what was called James Brown's "First Family of Soul."
In 1973, John Wilson wrote the song "Sho' Nuff", which the band recorded with People Records that same year.
The success of this record led
Don Cornelius to sign the band to appear on
Soul Train
''Soul Train'' is an American musical variety television show. It aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25, 2006. Across its 35-year history the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists. The series w ...
.
Later, the band became part of
The O'Jays' Shaker Records, creating the song "Turn On Your Lovelight" in 1974.
Around 1976, the band signed with
Motown
Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...
.
The band's debut album ''Sly, Slick & Wicked'' was released by Ju-Par in 1977.
They were awarded the Men of Motown Award from the
Motown Museum in 2003, and were inducted into the Motown Alumni Association Hall of Fame. In 2003, the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame added the group to its permanent display. They were inducted into the
Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame
The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame is an independent organization whose mission is to educate and to celebrate, preserve, promote, and present rhythm and blues music globally.
History
The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame was founded ...
in 2013.
"
Suit and Tie
A suit, lounge suit, or business suit is a set of clothes comprising a suit jacket and trousers of identical textiles worn with a collared dress shirt, necktie, and dress shoes. A skirt suit is similar, but with a matching skirt instead of tr ...
" by
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with sales of over 88 million records. Timberlake is the recipient of numerous awards and ac ...
and "Chaining Day" by
J.Cole
Jermaine Lamarr Cole (born January 28, 1985) is an American rapper and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his ...
contain samples from their song "Sho Nuff".
The group
John "Sly" Wilson, Charles "Slick" Still & Mark "Wicked" Saxton are inducted into The R & B Music Hall of Fame, Displayed in The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since 2003, & Inducted into The Men of Motown Museum. You can see the group in the movie "The Sax Man" starring Maurice Reedus and Sly,Slick & Wicked.
Discography
*"Stay My Love" / "Surely" (1972) - Paramount
*"It's Not Easy" / "Your Love Was Meant For Me" (1973) - Paramount
*"Sho Nuff" / "Ready For You"
(1973) - People Records
*"Turn On Your Lovelight" / "We Don't Have To Be Lovers" (1974) - Shaker Records
*''Sly, Slick & Wicked'' (1977) - Ju-Par
*"All I Want Is Your" / "The Prophet" (1978) - Epic
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
American rhythm and blues musical groups
Musical groups established in 1970
Musical groups from Cleveland