Taken from allmusic.com

Before assuming the name the Dramatics, the vocal sextet comprised of Rob Davis, Ron Banks, Larry Reed, Robert Ellington, Larry "Squirrel" Demps, and Elbert Wilkens initially released two singles as the Dynamics on the Wingate imprint that saw no chart action. The group became a quintet upon Ellington's exit, and also changed their name to the Dramatics. They migrated to the Sport label and in 1967 released their first single to hit the charts, "All Because of You," which peaked at number 42 on the R&B charts. However, in spite of the exposure and limited record sales, some groupmembers became discouraged, which facilitated a major personnel change. William "Wee Gee" Howard replaced lead singer Reed, and Willie Ford of the Capitols replaced bass Rob Davis. Also during this time, the Dramatics had signed with producer Don Davis' production company.

Even though the group managed to stay together, the ensuing years were unproductive for chart action and sales. Between 1967 and 1971, the Dramatics made very little noise on the national scene. By the end of 1971, Davis summoned the group to the studio to record producer/songwriter Tony Hester's "Watcha See Is Watcha Get." The single was the Dramatics' first major national hit, peaking at number three on the R&B charts, and sustaining chart action for 15 weeks. That single was followed by the R&B Top Ten single "Get Up and Get Down."

The following year the Dramatics released "In the Rain," which was also penned by Hester. The single torpedoed its way to the number one spot on the R&B charts, maintaining that position for four consecutive weeks; the single also peaked at number five on the pop charts. Ironically, in spite of the national attention the group was receiving, another personnel shuffle was simmering.

Larry "L.J." Reynolds, who had been a member of Chocolate Syrup and was pursuing a solo career during this time, met Dramatics member Banks at the Apollo following a performance by the group. It just so happened that Howard was absent that night. Reynolds auditioned for Banks backstage; it was not too long afterwards that Reynolds, who was also signed to Don Davis' production company, began to occasionally sit in with the Dramatics during Howard's absences.

In 1973, Howard's decision to leave the group opened the door for Reynolds' entrance; Reynolds' vocal presence and permanent entry into the group was manifested with the release of the R&B Top Ten single "Hey You! Get Off My Mountain." And while Reynolds was replacing Howard, Lenny Mayes was replacing Wilkens, which spelled out identity problems for the remainder of the group. Wilkens formed his own version of the Dramatics and began touring. During this time and pending legal procedures, the name of the group was changed to Ron Banks & the Dramatics.

The Dramatics' success continued with mainly R&B Top 20 hits during the heyday of disco, cracking the R&B Top Ten just once more with "Welcome Back Home" in 1980. In 1981, Reynolds went solo; the group disband after Banks went solo in 1983. The group managed to stay active, reuniting to record new material every three or four years since the early '80s. They occasionally reunite for concert events.

In addition to the hits mentioned, The Dramatics had such hits as Be My Girl, Toast to the Fool, and Shake It Well. My absolute favorite song by the group is Treat Me Like A Man. I grew up thinking the name of the song was Don't Hurt Me, Don't Hurt Me, Don't Hurt Me.

i have 2 support this thread!!
just shopping (not buying)--one of my all time slow jams!!!!!

revolution75 said:

That's a great song Revolution.

You're cute, Ivy. I'm goin' to bed now, but I'm gonna rock this thread tomorrow.

Stymie said:

I use to do a mean Ron Banks imitation..

funkpill said:

Really Pill? I'd pay to see that.

Romera said:

Can't do it anymore...

who remembers their early 80s hit "You're The Best Thing In My Life"?

I think it's from 1980 or 81.

DavidEye said:

I hadn't really heard anything from The Dramatics until a local (not long gone) oldies R&B station started playing them. The first song I heard was Whatcha See is Whatcha Get. I instantly fell in love with the song, because I recognized the "Uh! Chuh! Chuh!" sample as used by Public Enemy in Fight the Power. I was sold on them then and there. Funky, funky song.

Then I listened to a lot of their other hits and was hooked. They've got a real Philly soul sound. In the Rain is easily my favorite of theirs. It's such a beautiful, haunting and transcendent song (Janet's never used a thunderstorm as backdrop as effectively as these cats). Musically, Natural High reminds me a bit of this one. Both tracks are from this album:



I love the opening wail on Get Up and Get Down. If you weren't awake before puttin' on the album, you damn sure will be once you start it. The guitar work on that song is hypnotic. There's not a bad song on the album. Classic from start to finish.

RipHer2Shreds said:

You got a hell of an ear. Damn, even I didn't know about Fight The Power sampling them. And you're right: In the Rain does have a Natural High flavor to it.

I really want you to listen to Treat Me Like a Man. It starts off 'disco' and melts into sex.

Romera said:

I did listen to it yesterday for the first time. Your assessment of it is right on the money! It's on a greatest ballads collection of theirs that I wanna get.


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[Edited 2/13/06 18:46pm]

RipHer2Shreds said:

Isn't it awesome? The falsetto, the bass...that song is all kinds of wonderful.

"TOAST TO THE FOOL"

RipHer2Shreds said: