(September 17, 2016) The news hit us like a ton of bricks today when we saw the Facebook page for The Force MDs:

Brothers & Sisters and our Friends in Music.

It is with the deepest regret that we announce that one of our own Trisco Pearson of the beloved group, The Force MD's, has passed and finally went home with no more pain. Trisco was truly our Brother, coming from Staten Island New York to transport talents that reached around the world. We will miss him but know he joins our Brothers TCD and Mercury on the Heavenly concert stage.

The Force MD's & The Pearson Family Greatly Appreciate Your Love & Support, As We Come Together for our Dear Brother
May he Rest In Peace..

Khalil Lundy, Stevie Lundy, Jesse Daniels and the rest of The Force MDs Family

With that, tragedy has again struck the pioneering vocal group of the 80s that wowed the world with their tantalizing mix of classic doo wop with emerging hip hop, winning accolades and a generation of fans in the process. Pearson was an original member of the group, and had recently returned to perform with them after a long battle with cancer. Sadly, the cancer returned and spread quickly.

The Force M.D.s (M.D. being an initialism for "Musical Diversity") arose in the early 80s on Staten Island, New York, featuring Pearson as well as Stevie D. and Antoine "T.C.D." Lundy, their uncle, Jessie Lee Daniels, and friends and Charles "Mercury" Nelson. After singing on the street corner and the Staten Island Ferry, among other places, they connected with DJ Dr. Rock, they also performed as Dr. Rock & the M.C.s and played at hip hop shows.

The Force M.D.s signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1984 and made quite a splash with their debut album and its doo wop/hip hop blend, getting major press around the world and a top ten hit with "Tears." They continued their chart dominance over the remainder of the decade – often in a more traditional R&B style – and topped the R&B charts with the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-penned love song "Tender Love" and the cool ballad, "Love Is A House."

By the 90s, the group’s recording success began to wane, and Nelson and Trisco then left and were replaced by Rodney "Khalil" Lundy and Shawn Waters.

Despite the youth of group members, death cruelly robbed their ranks repeatedly. During the 1990s, Charles "Mercury" Nelson suffered a fatal heart attack, Antoine "T.C.D." Lundy died of Lou Gehrig's disease, and DJ Dr. Rock died.

We most recently saw them at the SoulTracks 10^th Anniversary celebration in Manhattan, where they surprised the audience with an impromptu performance.

Throughout their three plus decades in the spotlight, the Force MDs have always shown incredible vocal talent, great musical instincts, and, most importantly, the ability to make us smile. Trisco Pearson was there at the beginning, and will long be remembered for his role in creating that magic period. Rest in peace.