Sun. Aug. 10: SWITCH -7:30pm- $49.50
From Michigan and Ohio, SWITCH originally consisted of Founder Gregory Williams (trumpet keyboards/lead vocals), Bobby DeBarge (lead vocals keyboards/ drums), Phillip Ingram (lead vocals/ percussion keyboards), Tommy DeBarge (bass/ vocals/keyboards), Eddie Fluellen (trombone/ keyboards/ vocals) and Jody Sims (drums/vocals). Gregory formed SWITCH in December 1976.
Upon obtaining a small budget, Gregory relocated each handpicked member of his new band from their individual hometowns to Mansfield Ohio. After rehearsing, recording and completing an eight-song demo, Gregory and Jody flew to Los Angeles where they met Jermaine Jackson. Jackson immediately took the act to Motown Records where SWITCH were signed by Berry Gordy, Jr. and managed by his daughter and son-in-law Hazel and Jermaine Jackson.
While at Motown, from 1977 to 1983, SWITCH recorded five albums, of which two went Platinum and three went Gold, culminating in more than eight million record sales. They scored big with four top ten singles: “There’ll Never Be”, “I Call Your Name”, “Best Beat In Town”, and “Love Over and Over Again”.
In 1983 the group SWITCH-ed from Motown to Total Experience/ RCA Records, where they recorded (with new members), “Am I Still Your Boyfriend” released in 1985; out of which came the UK Top 10 single “Keeping Secrets”. In 1986, the group disbanded until July 2003, when SWITCH reunited to do some well received reunion performances. The revived SWITCH features three original and two new members. Fronting the band are lead singers Phillip Ingram (Lead vocals/keyboards), Akili Nichson (Lead vocals/percussions), Gregory Williams, and Eddie Fluellen). So, come on down and enjoy the exciting trip down memory lane with SWITCH!
