An m indicates the group released multiple full-length albums on Total Experience. 1 . Not to be confused with jazz saxophonist Lonnie Simmons (who played with well-known improvisers like Fats Waller and Ella Fitzgerald), the Lonnie Simmons profiled here is a funk/soul/urban contemporary. As a composer, he co-wrote several #1 R&B songs for his label's major acts, The Gap Band and Yarbrough and Peoples . Lonnie Simmons died February 6, 2019, from undisclosed causes, leaving behind a funk music legacy that rivaled any of his peers during the post-disco era of the early 1980s sales-wise one of the lowest periods in black music history. See and be there, from here. The funk outfit was revitalized on IV, with three of the album's eight songs scoring mightily on the U.S. R&B chart. 1 on the soul album chart. Shake was the first of many smashes that the Gap Band recorded for Simmons label; in 1979 and the early- to mid-80s, the trio was huge thanks to a string of major hits that also included I Dont Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops), Steppin Out, Burn Rubber, Humpin, You Dropped a Bomb on Me, Early in the Morning, Outstanding, and Party Train.. His debut album, Call Me Goodie, peaked at #31 R&B. Heres a ranking of the biggest hits of Lonnie Simmons career as producer, writer, or label owner, based on the songs performances on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart (now called the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart): Also, please see this touching personal tribute by the man who created the Total Experience logo, Mohammed Mubarak. One of the label's first signings was the Gap Band, who Simmons met through soul singer DJ Rogers (known for his 1975 smash, "Say You Love Me"). The singles all reached No. Unfortunately, after being closed for years, the club burned to the ground on January 20, 2021, 2 years after Lonnies death. [2] Eventually he invested in a recording studio by purchasing the property previously occupied by Sound Recorders Studios on the corner of Yucca St. and Argyle Ave. in Hollywood. @Boucaud1: R.I.E.P. He is founder and president of the nowdefunct Total Experience Records. In 1980, Charlie Wilson went on a trip to Dallas and returned with two new friends: Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples. Looking for Lonnie Simmons online? 1 single, Dont Waste Your Time, topped the soul list in May of that year and nearly returned them to the top 40 of the pop chart as well (No. Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Total_Experience_Records&oldid=1034261231, Articles with MusicBrainz label identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 1977 as Total Experience Productions, label launched in 1981, This page was last edited on 18 July 2021, at 20:43. 0: 0-Private player. 103 pop), Guilty Yarbrough and Peoples (1986); (No. Eventually, in 1987, after several more underperforming albums, the Gap Band left and Total Experience closed its doors for good. No gossip, just news. The latest stories in entertainment and lifestyle, with exclusive celebrity interviews. $1,766,152. Before meeting Simmons, the Gap Band had been struggling; their first two albums, which came out in 1974 and 1977, received little attention. Career [ edit] View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. #livinglegendsfoundation #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackMusic365 #BlackNightclubs #TotalExperience. Whether he was co-writer, producer or executive producer, or as founder and owner of Total Experience Productions and later Total Experience Records, Lonnies mark was all over the Gap Bands music. In 1978, he signed a little-known R&B act, the Greenwood, Archer and Pine Street Band, (shortened in 1973 by a typo to the Gap Band) to his production company, and secured a record deal with Mercury Records. He was founder and president of the now-defunct Total Experience Records. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now! I saw with my OWN eyes what he did to him and how he manipulated Charlie when Charlie was fighting for his life and career. MAX 151, Lonnie Simmons has laid the foundation for what he sees as an independent, black owned and operated record label and film company complex. 1,770 Customers Can't Be Wrong! 2 soul, 4 weeks; No. Secondly, the Gap Band recorded its third album under Simmons The Gap Band III which would become their first No. Welcome Guest! The album went platinum within a year. 24 on the pop chart. 1 song of 2015, Uptown Funk, by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. He is a songwriter, producer, manager and owner of Total Experience Records. Lonnie Simmons (December 12, 1944 - February 6, 2019) was an American record producer from Los Angeles, California. Lonnie Simmons, the man who broughtCharlie WilsonandThe Gap Bandto the musical stardom has died. In the late 1970s he founded Total Experience Records, which got a distribution deal with Mercury/Polygram, and he signed up the Gap Band who he had met through DJ Rogers. 1290 Finnie Simmons Rd, Woodbury, TN 37190. It was Simmons own Dont Stop The Music, making him one of very few people to ever write and produce consecutive No. Meanwhile, Yarbrough and Peoples got married and moved back to Texas, and Goodie quit. The album went gold, headlined by the only Simmons co-penned single, "Party Train", which went to #3 on the R&B charts. Not to be confused with jazz saxophonist Lonnie Simmons (who played with well-known improvisers like Fats Waller and Ella Fitzgerald), the Lonnie Simmons profiled here is a funk/soul/urban contemporary There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. Lonnie Simmons operated an LA nightclub in the mid-1970s called The Total Experience. While Total Experiences songs were clearly still radio hits in the mid-to-late 80s, the sales picture wasnt as pretty. Gap Band IV was released in May 1982 and contained three major smash hits, Early In The Morning, You Dropped A Bomb On Me and Outstanding, all co-written and/or produced by Simmons. Lonnie Paige Simmons With profound sorrow, we join the Simmons Family in announcing the death of Lonnie Paige Simmons, 93, of the Belgrade Community, Maysville, who departed this life on Monday, January 17, 2022. well CHARLIE WILSON often said his producer was bankrolling him and his brothers during his solo career and said Charlie was nothing without him .and drove him poor. He was founder and president of the now-defunct Total Experience Records. The Gap Band released 4 albums: Gap Band VI, Gap Band VII, Gap Band 8, and Straight from the Heart before moving on to Capitol Records in 1989. In fact, Curry, KD, Reggie Miller, Harden, Charles Barkley, and Adrian Dantley are the only players with a career TS% greater than 60% He wasnt Funky!!! Lonnie Johnson. Total Experience Records was a record label founded by Lonnie Simmons.Its two major acts were The Gap Band and Yarbrough & Peoples.It originally began in 1977 as a production company whose albums were released by Mercury Records before becoming a label in 1981. Read Full Biography. From its inception in 1981 to late 1983, Total Experience was a subsidiary label of Mercury's parent company, PolyGram. For more than twenty years, Lonnie C. Simmons has fought on behalf of the little guys, ensuring they get their day in court. Who did you see there? Simmons then launched his production company, and met the Gap Band through a friend, singer D. J. Rogers. 101 pop), Shake Gap Band (1979); (No. Its two major acts were The Gap Band and Yarbrough & Peoples. 48 pop), You Dropped A Bomb On Me Gap Band (1982); (No. Even though his two major acts produced hits well into the mid-80s, Total Experience began to falter. Heres what his friend, singer Howard Huntsberry, posted on Facebook: My heart is heavy right now. 2 soul in early 1985. There are 30+ professionals named "Lonnie Simmons", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. In 1984, Total Experience began a new distribution deal with RCA Records. Ud over singleudgivelsen blev sangen omtalt p bandets album fra 1982 Gap Band IV. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. 4 peak of Shake, but more importantly gave the Gap Band its first gold album. also Being mentored by top label executives, such as: Lonnie Simmons (Total Experience . R.I.P. (The club made several appearances in movies like Dolemite and Black Fist.) Simmons also owned a recording studio in the '70s, and by the end of the decade, he founded Total Experience Records (which landed a distribution deal with Mercury/Polygram). It was jumpin every weekend and was a favorite with music professionals and non-industry attendees to see the hottest Black artists who were topping the charts! He was founder and president of the now-defunct Total Experience Records. He is not dating anyone. ADDITIONAL LINKS Rogers signed with Lonnie Simmons' Total Experience Records (the Gap Band, Yarbrough and Peoples) and the LP Love, Music & Life was issued in 1977. The band, consisting of twelve members, was reduced officially to the three Wilson brothers. Died on February 6, 2019. Lonnie signed a plethora of new acts in 1984-85 and two established acts: Switch and Billy Paul. Lonnie Henry Simmons Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Lonnie Henry Simmons (Charlotte, North Carolina), who passed away on May 8, 2021 at the age of 84. Listen Add a photo or a video The Gap Band's subsequent releases, Gap Band VII and Gap Band 8, received chart success due to heavy radio airplay but sold few actual copies. 48 peak). Get peer reviews and client ratings averaging 3.9 of 5.0. 2005: Simmons played in Lonnie Simmons (72) Defensive Lineman - 2006: Simmons moved to defense and spent the season as a reserve defensive lineman. He then transferred the Gap Band and Yarbrough & Peoples (who were already signed to his production company) to the Total Experience label. Owned by record producer, Lonnie Simmons, it was called the R&B equivalent of Hollywoods Roxy Theater and booked major R&B and funk acts. In 1984, the label changed its distribution from PolyGram to RCA Records. 1 and its second platinum release. But thanks to Simmons, the Gap Band's fortunes improved considerably in 1979, when Total Experience Records put out the group's third album. Lonnie Simmons background Via AllMusic.com: The Los Angeles resident started making a name for himself in the R&B world in the 70s, when he operated a South Central L.A. nightclub called the Total Experience (which was located on Crenshaw Boulevard, one of the most famous thoroughfares in L.A.s African-American community). 4 soul, No. 84 on the Hot 100), but yielded bigger fruit by propelling its parent album to platinum status. Simmons also owned a recording studio in the 70s, and by the end of the decade, he founded Total Experience Records (which landed a distribution deal with Mercury/Polygram). It originally began in 1977 as a production company whose albums were released by Mercury Records before becoming a label in 1981. Lonnie Simmons, a pioneer of funk and a legend who helped transform the black music scene in the 1980s during its post-disco doldrums. He was founder and president of the now-defunct Total Experience Records. The Gap Band released its first Total Experience production (and third LP overall) the self-titled Gap Band album in 1979 during the height of the disco era. In 1984, the label changed its distribution from PolyGram to RCA Records. Lonnie Simmons first came up in the industry in the early 1970s by way of his South Central L.A. nightclub that bore the Total Experience moniker that would later become the name of his production company, recording studio and record label. In 1982, Shakiji began his music career as a street DJ, with his first appearance as a KDAY Mixmaster DJ at the famed KDAY AM 1580 Los Angeles radio station that was the 1st 24 hr. Simmons also owned a recording studio in the '70s, and by the end of the decade, he founded Total Experience Records (which landed a distribution deal with Mercury/Polygram). One of the label's first signings was the Gap Band, who Simmons met through soul singer DJ Rogers (known for his 1975 smash, "Say You Love Me"). With those credentials, its safe to say that Simmons mark on funk music and on black music in general is indelible. They recorded the demo, and when he heard it, Simmons had yet another act in his ranks: Yarbrough and Peoples. Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics. 60 pop), I Wouldnt Lie Yarbrough and Peoples (1986); (No. 161 Lonnie Smith Rd, Woodbury, TN. Lonnie Simmons, Jonah Ellis: Rate: Comments and Reviews Add a Comment or Review about this item. (February 7, 2019) EURWeb has reported that legendary producer, songwriter and record label executive Lonnie Simmons, best known for his role in the emergence of The Gap Band, has died, causes unknown. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part A Blue Carpet Movie Premiere (Pics), 2019 NAACP Chairmans Award to be Presented to Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chris Rock is Set to Make Netflix History | WATCH. The Gap Band wasn't the only well-known act that recorded for Simmons' label in the '80s; Total Experience Records was also the home of the male/female duo Yarbrough & Peoples, who weren't as big as the Gap Band but did enjoy major hits with "Don't Stop the Music" in 1980, "Don't Waste Your Time" in 1984, and "Guilty" in 1985. Later in 1982, he signed Robert "Goodie" Whitfield to the label. By the middle of 1980, with Oops Up SideYour Head being a club and radio mainstay, The Gap Band were now bonafide hitmakers. 1 and reaching No. 2 soul, 2 weeks; No. The success of Shake propelled Simmons and the Gap Band to the next level, and by the end of the year, they had released their second collaboration The Gap Band II, which included two songs Simmons co-wrote: their second top-10 hit, Steppin (Out), and the ubiquitous I Dont Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops, Up Side Your Head! 101 pop), I Dont Believe You Want To Get Up and Dance (Oops! The signing hit immediate pay dirt with the 1979 hit Shake. The Gap Band followed later that same year with the top smash Oops Upside The Head, which Simmons co-wrote, and which had a bit of a second life a couple years ago, when Simmons and company received co-writing credits on the Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars hit Uptown Funk, for that songs similarity to Oops., With The Gap Band driving Total Experience forward, Simmons then signed the duo Yarbrough and Peoples, who went on to a successful recording career and the #1 hit Dont Stop the Music., Through the first half of the 1980s, it seemed that Total Experience could do no wrong, as The Gap Band and Simmons teamed for hit after hit such as Outstanding, You Dropped A Bomb On Me, and Early In the Morning. Lonnie Simmons, the man who brought Charlie Wilson and The Gap Band to the world has died. Before meeting Simmons, the Gap Band had been struggling; their first two albums, which came out in 1974 and 1977, received little attention. so Lonnie may have his bad points but his GOOD points was his company growthed The Gap Band im grateful because I like Charlie BETTER with his brothers be cool BRAH!!!! MORE Smh. The duo Yarborough & Peoples were also produced by Lonnie Simmons and recorded his songs on the Total Experience label. Several reports have surfaced regarding the passing of legendary producer, songwriter and record label executive Lonnie Simmons, best known for his role in the emergence of The Gap Band, has died, causes unknown. Discover Lonnie Simmons's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. | He then transferred the Gap Band and Yarbrough & Peoples (who were already signed to his production company) to the Total Experience label. A p indicates a writer/producer who also performed at least one song on the label. Both of those albums went gold, and two of the Gap Band's albums went platinum. But thanks to Simmons, the Gap Bands fortunes improved considerably in 1979, when Total Experience Records put out the groups third album. The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame [], It was a milestone day at Beasley Media Group as the [], Today, De La Soul announcedThe DA.I.S.Y. Outstanding continued the bands penchant for slowing things down a bit to a nice mid-tempo groove that fit well into quiet storm radio formats. RIP brother. It was his unique brand of funk (plus a few gimmicky but fun sound effects) that became the bands signature, and without him, wed never have had Number One classics like Burn Rubber, Outstanding and Early In The Morning.. Lonnie Simmons is an American record producer from Los Angeles, California. That trivial tidbit aside, to this day, Outstanding is best known as one of the Gap Bands signature songs. "Shake" was the first of many smashes that the Gap Band recorded for Simmons' label; in 1979 and the early- to mid-'80s, the trio was huge thanks to a string of major hits that also included "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops)," "Steppin' Out," "Burn Rubber," "Humpin'," "You Dropped a Bomb on Me," "Early in the Morning," "Outstanding, and "Party Train." Texas Reality Check - College for All Texans - Generation TX - Apply Texas - Financial Aid. Gap Band IV was released in early 1982 and spawned three singles, which all peaked in the top-40 on the dance charts and top-2 on the R&B songs: #1 "Early in the Morning", #2 "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" (both of which Simmons helped write), and #1 "Outstanding", the first two of which Simmons wrote. With Total Experience CEO Lonnie Simmons directing them, Y&P became one of the top duos of the early 80s, consistently hitting the top 10 with songs like "Heartbeats," "I Wouldn't Lie," "Guilty" and the #1 smash "Don't Waste Your Time." Even as they were achieving fame and radio success, the duo complained that they weren't . 4 soul; No. Total Experience Record Label Founder Lonnie Simmons Dies Of Causes Unknown By: LATF Staff Member Music February 11, 2019, 11:09 pm Several reports have surfaced regarding the passing of legendary producer, songwriter and record label executive Lonnie Simmons, best known for his role in the emergence of The Gap Band, has died, causes unknown. Its two major acts were The Gap Band and Yarbrough & Peoples. The label's post 1984 holdings now belong to Minder Music, while its PolyGram-distributed holdings, and the complete catalogues of Yarbrough & Peoples and the Gap Band belong to Universal Music Enterprises. Robert n Charlie was Funky!!! Yesssss he did still the Wilson bros royalties but I think Charlie sued and got with they were old later when Charlie got sober thank God Charlie sobered up, They were a back up band before Lonnie simmons produced them.. what does that tell you.. dont worry Ill wait. Kodak Black Caught Having Sex in White Teacher Hits The Jerk as Students Go Wild Are AKAs Too Insecure? Thank you for a great first year! He almost singlehandedly filled a void in uptempo black music that had been created by discos 1979 demise, and kept it fun and funky in the process. In 1984, Total Experience began a new distribution deal with RCA Records. By the early '80s it had a number of. I pray Lonnie got himself straight with God before he died. " You Dropped a Bomb on Me" is een nummer uitgevoerd door de Gap Band, uitgebracht in 1982 op het label van producer Lonnie Simmons, Total Experience Records. From its inception in 1981 to late 1983 He started his legal career as a writ clerk at the West Virginia Supreme Court in 1982, before spending five years as a personal clerk for West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Thomas B. Miller. programed hip-hop format, currently known as KDAY 93.5 FM. By the end of the decade, Total Experience shut down, but not before staking its claim as one of the truly great funk labels of the 80s. Gap Band Recordings Baby Baba Boogie (Lonnie . 96 kHz / 24-bit PCM - Mercury Records Studio Masters Tracks 1-8 . So, how much is Lonnie Simmons worth at the age of 75 years old? Music written by Lonnie Simmons has been sampled heavily in contemporary R&B and hip hop music. 2 later in 1986. Get the rest of this backgrounder on Lonnie Simmons at AllMusic.com. 2 soul, 1 wk), Going In Circles Gap Band (1986); (No. We have estimated Total Experience Records was a record label founded by Lonnie Simmons. after they did IM GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA SDK in 1988 it wasnt the same so yeah DJ Rob I agree with to have more evidence for backup but in my opinion CHARLIE WILSON was TOTAL EXPERIENCES ultimate star and breadwinner and Lonnie Simmons CREATED THE GAP BAND into the FUNKIEST R&B Stars of the 80s HUMPIN is what got me into the The Gap band at 8 years old with Lonnie taking producing credit partially . He is affiliated with Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. It was the first album producer Lonnie Simmons released directly on his label, Total Experience Records. I help clients deal with traffic tickets on a weekly basis. He took all their money and credit for songs!! The Total Experience nightclub was wildly successful, with big name acts like Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Rufus & Chaka Khan, the Main Ingredient, the Dells, Johnnie Taylor, the Manhattans, and even the Spinners performing there when they couldnt fill bigger venues. After using his clubs earnings to buy a Los Angeles recording studio in the late 70s, Simmons fortunes changed forever when he met an unknown group from Tulsa, Oklahoma named the Greenwood, Archer and Pine Band (named after three of the citys famous streets). They recorded the demo, and when he heard it, Simmons had yet another act in his ranks: Yarbrough and Peoples. 1? The arc of Simmons success turned in the late 80s, as other Total Experience signings were less successful and as The Gap Band hits slowed down. Later in 1984, the Gap Band released Gap Band VI, which included Simmons co-penned hit Beep A Freak, another gimmick-filled song (with lots of beeps) that peaked at No. Simmon's winning streak continued in 1981, when he formed Total Experience Records and convinced Mercury's parent company PolyGram to distribute the label's recordings. Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, Charlie Wilson: Producent (er) Lonnie Simmons: The Gap Band singler . The first three Simmons-produced Gap Band albums, as well as Yarbrough and Peoples debut album The Two of Us were successful enough to give Simmons credibility to establish the production company as a full label, and he officially launched Total Experience Records in 1981.