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Wade Flemons

Wade Herbert Flemons (September 25, 1940 – October 13, 1993) was an American soul singer. He was a founding member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire.[1][2]

Career

He was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to Samuel and Kathyrine Flemons. His father was a minister, who introduced him to gospel music.[3] After his parents' marriage ended in divorce, Wade moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where his mother was living, in 1955.[4] While attending Battle Creek Central High School, Flemons came up with his first hit tune entitled "Here I Stand". A song which he wrote and recorded with his band, the New Comers.[1][5] Released in 1958 by Chicago-based Vee-Jay Records, the tune peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1][6] Here I Stand's success soon earned him appearances upon both American Bandstand and the Alan Freed Show.[7]

His later rendition of Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love," also reached #20 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[1] Flemons eventually started working as a musician and vocalist at Chicago recording studios. Flemons gained a reputation as a prolific songwriter. During his career, he wrote as many as 200 songs for both himself and other musicians.[8]

A songwriting partner of his was Maurice White,[9] later the founder of Earth, Wind & Fire. Having a good rapport with White, in 1969 he became part of his band called the Salty Peppers.[10] Flemons subsequently went on to join White in his next musical venture. Becoming the lead vocalist of White's new band Earth, Wind & Fire. He performed and composed upon the band's 1971 debut LP and 1972 sophomore album. Flemons left the group soon after their second LP was released.[2] Some of Flemons' solo songs are still revered, upon the UK's Northern soul scene.

Personal life

Flemons married in 1980; he and his wife Brenda had a daughter and three sons.[11] He died from cancer in Battle Creek, Michigan, at age 53.[12] A United States Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, he was buried at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.[1]

One of his sons, Brian Wade Flemons, followed in his father's footsteps and also became a musician.[13]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Other releases

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1968

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Buckley, Nick (November 12, 2020). "Musicians who charted after they started in Battle Creek". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Reigle, Matt (April 30, 2022). "Earth, Wind & Fire Members You May Not Know Have Died". Grunge. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Sonya Bernard-Hollins and Sean Hollins. Here I Stand: One City's Musical History. Fortitude Graphic Design and Printing Inc., 2016, p. 71.
  4. ^ "Services Set for Co-Founder of Vocal Group." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 17, 1993, p. 2.
  5. ^ Mark Schwerin, "B.C. Has Rolled Out Plenty of Rockers." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, September 21, 1995, p. W3.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 304.
  7. ^ "Ramblings." Cashbox, November 22, 1958, p. 46.
  8. ^ S. Renee Mitchell. "A Man With Style, A Man With Love, A Man of Music." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 24, 1993, p. 10.
  9. ^ Paul Zollo. More Songwriters on Songwriting. Da Capo Press, 2016, p. 308.
  10. ^ Gail Mitchell. "Shining Stars." Philadelphia Daily News, September 27, 2005, p. 42.
  11. ^ "Services Set for Co-Founder of Vocal Group." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 17, 1993, p. 2.
  12. ^ "Services Set for Co-Founder of Vocal Group." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, October 17, 1993, p. 2.
  13. ^ "Musician Releases Single, Starts Record Company." Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, June 14, 1998, p. 22.

Notes

  1. ^ "Slow Motion" never charted on the Hot 100, but peaked at number 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100
  2. ^ This B-side does not appear on the album.

External links