THE THREE DEGREES
The Three Degrees is an American female vocal group, formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although a total of 15 women have been a member over the years, the group has always been a trio. The current line-up consists of Valerie Holiday, Helen Scott and Freddie Pool. Holiday has been a member since she first joined in 1967, while Scott has been a permanent member since 1976, having previously been in the group from 1963-1966. The group has been most successful in the UK, were they achieved 15 top 60 hit singles between 1974 and 1998. (More from Wikipedia)
I guess I am stalling a little because no one seems to know much about Stratavarious, or their lead singer, who goes by the name of Lady. The band was put together by John L. (Johnny) Usry, Jr., who was the producer and arranger and also the orchestral conductor. He had previously worked with the Three Degrees, who one time provided the vocals on a new theme song for Soul Train. (The show’s long-time host, Don Cornelius died just last month). Public demand led to its release as a single; under the name “TSOP” by MFSB, it was a monster R&B hit in 1974. (The initials stand for “The Sound of Philadelphia” and “Mother Father Sister Brother”).
One other thing. Stratavarious might fill an annoying hole in the roster of the Under-Appreciated Rock Bands: Nobody so far has been African-American. I do know that Johnny Usry is black, as is Poison. Also, most of the people that Usry has worked with over the years are African-American: Besides the Three Degrees, they include Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, and the O’Jays; however, that is not true of Air Supply. I have no photos so far, and the music itself could go either way, so I am still not sure.
(March 2012)
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Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff founded Philadelphia International Records in 1971 and (as Allmusic put it) “ruled the mid-’70s R&B world with the same sound”. Major artists that were signed to the label include the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Lou Rawls, the Three Degrees, and Billy Paul. Blue Notes lead singer Teddy Pendergrass later signed a solo deal.
(July 2014)
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One memorable time for me was hearing the 1973 hit song “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” by MFSB Featuring the Three Degrees for at least a half-hour at one North Carolina club. “TSOP” was a new theme song for the popular Soul Train television program and was the first TV theme to sell one million copies. “TSOP” is regarded as one of the foundation songs of the disco sound.
(September 2016)
