Wade Herbert Flemons (September 25, 1940 – October 13, 1993) was an American soul singer. He was a founding member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire.
He was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to Samuel and Kathyrine Flemons. His father was a minister, who introduced him to gospel music.[1] After his parents' marriage ended in divorce, Wade moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where his mother was living, in 1955.[2] While attending Battle Creek Central High School, Flemons came up with his first hit tune entitled "Here I Stand". A song which he wrote and recorded with his band, the New Comers.[3] Released in 1958 by Chicago-based Vee-Jay Records, the tune peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] Here I Stand's success soon earned him appearances upon both American Bandstand and the Alan Freed Show.[5]
His later rendition of Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love," also reached #20 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. Flemons eventually started working as a musician and vocalist at Chicago recording studios. Flemons gained a reputation as a prolific songwriter. During his career, he wrote as many as 200 songs for both himself and other musicians.[6]
A songwriting partner of his was Maurice White,[7] later the founder of Earth, Wind & Fire. Having a good rapport with White, in 1969 he became part of his band called the Salty Peppers.[8] Flemons subsequently went on to join White in his next musical venture. Becoming the lead vocalist of White's new band Earth, Wind & Fire. He performed and composed upon the band's 1971 debut LP and 1972 sophomore album. Flemons left the group soon after their second LP was released.[9] Some of Flemons' solo songs are still revered, upon the UK's Northern soul scene.
Flemons married in 1980; he and his wife Brenda had a daughter and three sons.[10] He died from cancer in Battle Creek, Michigan, at age 53.[11] A United States Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, he was buried at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.[12]
One of his sons, Brian Wade Flemons, followed in his father's footsteps and also became a musician.[13]
| Title | Peak chart positions | B-side | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||||
| 1958 | "Here I Stand" | 80 | 19 | "My Baby Likes to Rock" | Wade Flemons (1959) | |
| 1959 | "Slow Motion" | — | — | "Walking By the River" | ||
| "What's Happening" | 94 | — | "Goodnite It's Time to Go" | |||
| 1960 | "Easy Lovin'" | 70 | 10 | "Woops Now" | ||
| 1961 | "Please Send Me Someone to Love" | — | 20 | "Keep On Loving Me" | ||
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1968
. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 . Joel Whitburn . 2013 . Record Research . 304.