Skip to main content

Another Ohio funk band, they began as First Class in 1975. Jermaine Jackson discovered the group that included lead vocalist Phillip Ingram and Bobby DeBarge, Greg Williams, Tommy DeBarge, Eddie Fluellan, and Jody Sims. They had a huge hit in 1978 with "There'll Never Be," a Top Ten R&B single. They also had two others during their tenure on Gordy, "I Call Your Name" in 1979 and "Love Over and Over Again" in 1980. Phillip Ingram went on his own in 1980, and Bobby and Tommy also departed to join the family group DeBarge. Percussionist/vocalist Renard Gallo and Gonzales Ozen and keyboardist Attala Zane Giles were their replacements. They left Gordy for Total Experience in 1984, cutting the LP Am I Still Your Boyfriend? ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi

Advertisement