The Zapp Band the Nucleus of Zapp Circled Around Three of the Five Troutman Brothers: Lester, Larry and Their Younger Brother Roger
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The Zapp Band The nucleus of Zapp circled around three of the five Troutman brothers: Lester, Larry and their younger brother Roger. The duo of Lester and Roger started several groups including Little Roger and the Vels. Larry eventually joined his brothers when their name became Roger and the Human Body, which also included youngest brother Terry. Larry was then the road manager and the leader of the group in terms of all major decisions and connections. The name change to Zapp came courtesy of Terry, whose nickname was that of “Zapp”. Discovered by members of P-Funk in 1979, the funk collective’s leader George Clinton signed them to his Uncle Jam Records. When that label folded the following year, the group signed with P-Funk’s parent label, Warner Bros. Records, and began working on their first record at united sound in Detroit album courtesy of co-production from Bootsy Collins. Released in the late summer of 1980, Zapp’s seminal self-titled debut album became a platinum success peaking at the top twenty of the Billboard Top 200 thanks to the suc- cess of their leading single, the Roger composition, “More Bounce to the Ounce”, which reached number two on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Continued success Zapp’s trek to fame continued within the Troutmans, who started Troutman Enterprises shortly after the Zapp album was released. Roger, who was the leader of the group and most famous for using the talk box in his recordings, was also the band’s producer, chief writer, arranger, and composer. He and older brother Larry, who served as percussionist in the band’s early years and later retired from music to serve as his younger brother’s manager, often collaborated on songs together. Roger and Zapp worked on both group albums and albums Roger released on his own merit. Within five years, the band scored more top ten R&B hits such as “Doo Wa Ditty”, “I Can Make You Dance”, “Heartbreak- er”, and ballads such as “Computer Love (R&B #8)” and a cover of The Miracles’ “Ooo Baby Baby”. Among the songs, only one of them - 1982’s “Dance Floor, Part 1” - man- aged to hit number-one on the R&B chart while two of Roger’s solo numbers - a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “I Want to Be Your Man” - hit the top spot of that chart. By 1985’s New Zapp IV U, the group had scored over four gold records and had become a top concert draw all around the world. Shirley Murdock Seasoned R&B/Gospel artist, Shirley Murdock, has been on a journey. Even as a young child, you could catch her singing along with songs on the radio or television commercial jingles. When she was 9 yrs old, she sang a duet with her older sister, leaving the congregants wondering, who is that little girl with the big voice? Since the age of 15, she aimed for a gospel career. In the 80s, Roger Troutman, funk bandleader for the group Zapp, snagged Murdock a record deal with Elektra Records where she recorded Top 10 R&B hits such as “As We Lay,” “Go On Without You,” “Husband” and “In Your Eyes.” Then, in 1999, Bishop T. D. Jakes took Murdock under his wing and invited her to sing on his #1 CD, Sacred Love Songs. Since, then, she’s toured in gospel stage plays and recorded gospel hits, like the Stellar and Dove Award nominated “I Love Me Better Than That.” Now, Murdock has realized a lifelong dream of recording her first live CD/DVD en- titled, “Live: The Journey” on Tyscot Records. Aside from writing or co-writing all twelve songs, Murdock also made the project distinctive by including duets with her longtime industry pals... Kelly Price, Regina Belle and Beverly Crawford on the soul- fully sanctified project. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio with 5 siblings, music was always in the house, from the gospel melodies of Rev. James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar and the Hawkins Fam- ily, to Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. As a young girl, watching child star Shirley Temple in Saturday Matinee Movies, Murdock caught a glimpse of her future self on stage singing, dancing and acting. Today she is living out the dreams of her youth. Shirley’s had the pleasure of working with Tyler Perry in his hit stage play, I Know I’ve Been Changed. Other stage and film work include: The Man Of Her Dreams, featuring Clifton Powell and Jackee Harry, 3 Ways To Get A Husband, with Billy D. Williams and Leon, Love Me or Leave Me, The Ideal Husband, There’s One In Every Family. and To Love And Cherish. Shirley believes that music not only has the power to entertain, but uplift and inspire. She calls her style of music, LifeSongs...songs that connect to every aspect of the human experience! Ms. Murdock is passionate about issues relating to the well being of women, family, encouraging young people to dream big and serving her community. Follow her on Twitter @ ShirleyMurdock Visit her fan page: Facebook Website: Shirley Murdock Life Songs.