Skyy (band)
Skyy (also known as New York Skyy) was an American R&B/funk/disco band based in New York City. They are perhaps best known for their 1981 hit, "Call Me", as well as their 1989 "comeback" hits, "Start of a Romance" and "Real Love".
Skyy | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City, United States |
| Genres | Disco, R&B, funk, boogie |
| Years active | 1973–1993 |
| Labels | SalSoul, Capitol, Atlantic |
| Past members | Solomon Roberts, Jr. Anibal "Butch" Sierra Gerald Lebon Tommy McConnell Larry Greenberg Denise Dunning Wilkinson Benita "Bonné" Dunning Williams Dolores Dunning Milligan Wayne Wilentz |
Career
In the mid-1980s, the group signed with Capitol Records and released their next album, From the Left Side in 1986. Apart from the top ten R&B single, "Givin' It (to You)", the album saw limited success, and the group left Capitol soon thereafter.[1][2] The sisters have performed consistently since then. In 2007 they attempted to beat a Guinness World Record for the largest kazoo band at the Summerstage Concert Series in Harlem USA, singing their song Skyyzoo.[3][4] Other notable performances have included the Salsoul Reunion Concert, where they performed with former label mates Carol Williams, Double Exposure, Instant Funk and Joe Bataan in New York City,[5]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [6] |
US R&B [6] |
NZ [7] |
UK [8] | |||||||||||
| 1979 | Skyy | 117 | 40 | — | — | Salsoul | ||||||||
| 1980 | Skyway | 61 | 17 | — | — | |||||||||
| Skyyport | 85 | 16 | 40 | — | ||||||||||
| 1981 | Skyy Line | 18 | 1 | — | — | |||||||||
| 1982 | Skyyjammer | 81 | 22 | — | — | |||||||||
| 1983 | Skyylight | 183 | 44 | — | — | |||||||||
| 1984 | Inner City | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1986 | From the Left Side | — | 33 | — | 85 | Capitol | ||||||||
| 1989 | Start of a Romance | 155 | 16 | — | — | Atlantic | ||||||||
| 1992 | Nearer to You | — | 52 | — | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Compilation albums
- Skyy Flyy (1982, Salsoul)
- Greatest Hits (1996, The Right Stuff)
- The Anthology (2006, Suss'd)[10]
- Skyyhigh: The Skyy Anthology 1979–1992 (2014, Big Break)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [6] |
US R&B [6] |
US Dan [6] |
CAN [11] |
NLD [12] |
UK [13] | |||||||||
| 1979 | "First Time Around" | — | 20 | 50 | 49 | — | — | Skyy | ||||||
| "Let's Turn It Out" | — | 65 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "This Groove Is Bad" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1980 | "High" | 102 | 13 | 26 | — | — | — | Skyway | ||||||
| "Skyyzoo" | — | 32 | 41 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Here's to You" | — | 23 | 24 | — | — | — | Skyyport | |||||||
| 1981 | "Superlove" | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| "For the First Time" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Call Me" | 26 | 1 | 3 | — | 34 | — | Skyy Line | |||||||
| 1982 | "Let's Celebrate" | — | 16 | — | — | — | 67 | |||||||
| "When You Touch Me" | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Movin' Violation" | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | Skyyjammer | |||||||
| 1983 | "Let Love Shine" | — | 39 | 41 | — | — | — | |||||||
| "Bad Boy" | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | Skyylight | |||||||
| "Show Me the Way" | — | 35 | 10 | — | — | 97 | ||||||||
| "Married Man" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1984 | "Dancin' to Be Dancin'" | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | Inner City | ||||||
| 1986 | "Givin' It (To You)" | — | 8 | 42 | — | — | 83 | From the Left Side | ||||||
| "Non-Stop" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Love Illogical" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1989 | "Start of a Romance" | — | 1 | 41 | — | — | — | Start of a Romance | ||||||
| "Love All the Way" | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Real Love" | 47 | 1 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1992 | "Up and Over (Stronger and Better)" | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | Nearer to You | ||||||
| "Nearer to You" | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 2014 | "Top of the World" (Solidisco featuring Skyy) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
References
- Wynn, Ron. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- Kwateng, Danielle (July 19, 2017). "Where Are They Now? Black Female Performers From The '80s". Essence.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- "SKYY Challenges Guiness Record". Blackstarnews.com. July 24, 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- "Band tries to set new kazoo record". Sun Journal. August 3, 2007.
- "Photo Review: Salsoul Reunion At Summerstage". Vibe.com. August 12, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- "US Charts > Skyy". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- "NZ Charts > Skyy". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- "SKYY - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- "American certifications – Skyy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- Dewhirst, Ian (2006). Liner notes from The Anthology. Salsa CD 030.
- "CAN Charts > Skyy". RPM. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- "NLD Charts > Skyy". MegaCharts. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- "NEW YORK SKYY - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
