Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band Explained

Dr. Buzzard's Original
Savannah Band
Origin:New York City, U.S.
Genre:Soul, big band, disco
Years Active:1976–1979, 1984
Label:RCA
Past Members:Cory Daye
Stony Browder
Mickey Sevilla
Andy Hernandez
August Darnell

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a big band- and swing-influenced disco band that was formed in the Bronx, New York. The band is best known for its number-one US dance hit "Cherchez La Femme/C'est si bon", from its self-titled debut album.

History

The band was conceived by brothers Stony Browder Jr. (February 7, 1949  - October 6, 2001)[1] and Thomas Browder (also known as August Darnell, born August 12, 1950), with the former writing music and the latter lyrics. They started the band in 1974 with singer Cory Daye (born April 25, 1952), drummer Mickey Sevilla, and percussionist Andy Hernandez (Coati Mundi). They released three albums between 1976 and 1979. Their music blended disco beats with rhythms from genres including calypso, rhumba, cha-cha-chá, and compas. The Browders, who were both multiracial, wrote songs embracing multiculturalism over stories about tragic mulattoes. A smaller lineup known as Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band (omitting the word "original") also released a fourth album in 1984. They were frequent performers at Studio 54. Darnell and Hernandez went on to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers.

Cory Daye also pursued a successful solo career. In 1979, she released the album Cory and Me. The album produced a single, "Pow Wow" b/w Green Light", which peaked on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at #76 later that year.[2] The track "Wiggle and Giggle All Night" became a Top 20 hit in the Netherlands.

Stony Browder Jr. died in 2001.[3]

Copyright lawsuit

In 2022, songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer filed a copyright lawsuit against Dua Lipa claiming that her song "Levitating" infringed on their 1979 song "Wiggle and Giggle All Night".[4]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsRecord label
US
[5]
US
R&B
AUS
[6]
CAN
[7]
NLD
[8]
1976Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band2231398713 RCA
1978Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band Meets King Penett362329
1979Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band Goes to WashingtonElektra
1984Calling All BeatniksPassport
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positions
US
US
R&B
US
Dan

AUS
CAN
NLD
1976"I'll Play the Fool"8092110019
"Cherchez La Femme"273149232
"Sour and Sweet"72
1978"Mister Love"22
"Organ Grinder"
"Auf Wiedersehen, Darrio"
"Transistor Madness"
1979"Didn't I Love You Girl"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

See also

Notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://death-records.mooseroots.com/l/102125245/Stony-Browder Stony Browder, Death Record
  2. Book: Whitburn, Joel. 2013. Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. 14th. Record Research Inc.. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 978-0-89820-205-2. 223.
  3. News: Dapper as Ever, Kid Creole Dresses Up His Songs for a New Musical. May 19, 2016. Jon Pareles. The New York Times. August 21, 2020.
  4. Kreps . Daniel . Dua Lipa Hit With Second Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Levitating' . . March 6, 2022 . March 12, 2022.
  5. US Charts > Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. Billboard. 2016-02-01.
  6. Book: Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. David Kent. 0-646-11917-6. 1993. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W..
  7. CAN Charts > Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. RPM. 2016-02-01.
  8. Web site: NLD Charts > Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. MegaCharts. 2016-02-01.
  9. Web site: US Certifications > Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. Recording Industry Association of America. 2016-02-01.