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Last weekend Rick James' Original
Stone City Band turned out the Sphere Entertainment Complex for two awesome shows. No easy feat for Buffalo's tough audiences-especially given the fact that these seasoned entertainers all hail from the Nickel City. The second show was standing room only. And even those with seats found themselves on their feet as the band rocked the house with hit after hit.
It was a great tribute to the "King of Punk Funk," the late Rick James.
But an even greater testament to the power and professionalism of the incredibly talented men who backed him at the height of his career-Levi Ruffin (synth/vocals), Lanise Hughes (drums), Nate Hughes (percussion), Billy Nunn (keyboards/vocals), Alan Syms (guitar), and Oscar Alston (bass/vocals). The entire band was tight and complemented by background singers and the Punk Funk Horns, as they performed a near flawless set.
Lead vocalist Dennis "Shorty" Andrews was the icing on the cake.
Shorty, formerly of Rick's Process and the Doo Rags, did more justice to James' songs. Staying true to himself, he was not trying to sound like Rick James (even though on some songs, he sounded a lot like James). He was Shorty, this incredibly talented singer who was getting a long overdue opportunity to showcase his skills and to shine.
The verdict was in on Stone City and it was unanimous. From "Ghetto Life" to "Fire and Desire" and the all time hit "Super Freak," Rick James' Original Stone City Band held it down. Rick would have been proud.
The Boys are back. Long live the Funk!- A.B. - The Challenger
Discography
Rick James Come Get It
Rick James Bustin Out
Rick James Fire It Up
Teena Marie Wild & Peaceful
Rick James Garden of Love
Stone City Band Meet the Stone City Band
Stone City Band Out of the Shadows
Stone City Band The Boys Are Back
Stone City Band In N Out
Rick James Street Songs
Rick James Throwin' Down
Rick James Cold Blooded
Rick James Glow
Rick James The Flag
Rick James Rick James & Friends
Eddie Murphy Party All The time
Temptations Standing On The Top
Smokey Robinson/Rick Ebony Eyes
Photos
Bio
Considered by many of their peers as being one of
the Greatest Live Performing Funk/Rock Bands of all times!
The Original Stone City Band is back and ready to
"Fire Up The Funk." For more than 3 decades this
legendary band provided the sounds, heard on recordings by, Eddie Murphy, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, MC Hammer, Teena Marie, The Mary Jane Girls and The King Of Punk Funk Rick James. That signature band sound can be heard on countless recordings and samplings by many of today's HipHop artists plus on any given day you'll hear a commerical on radio/TV or see a television show or a movie and hear that distinctive signature sound of Rick James' Original Stone City Band with it's pulsating Bass lines and irresistable rhythms.
Formed in 1978 by the late Funk legend Rick James
who had a vision for this band when he hooked up with these players, and coined the boys..."The Stone City Band" from the 1st Motown album release, "COME GET IT" in 1978, Rick and The Stone City Band recorded and toured the world and were responsible for such timeless hit's "FIRE & DESIRE," "YOU & I,""MARY JANE," "GHETTO LIFE
EBONY EYES," "HARD TO GET," "ALL NIGHT LONG," and "SUPER FREAK." just to name a few. They were awarded many Gold and Multi-Platinum plaques for their work. After leaving Rick, the band toured with New Edition's on their 1st major ground breaking HEARTBREAK TOUR. They later became Bobby Brown's backup band on his U.S.A and World tour.
The Stone City Band has performed live in venues abroad and in the USA. They also released three albums on the Motown label entitled, "Meet The Stone City Band," "In N Out," and "The Boys are Back." They have also appeared on national television on shows such as "Saturday Night Live," The Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, Dick Clark's Rockin New Years Eve Show,"Soul Train, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall and many more.
The Bad Boys of Funk, is currently recording tracks for their brand new CD and also preparing for a major world tour, celebrating the life, legacy, and music of their leader, their mentor, brother and friend, The King of Punk Funk Rick James.
This high energy Funk extravaganza is poised and
ready to make your event a grand celebration of how they love to party and really have big fun..
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