Friday Funkdown | GAP Band

The Greenwood, Archer and Pine Street Band was formed in 1967 in Tulsa Oklahoma by brothers Charlie, Robert and Ronnie Wilson.  They eventually shortened their name to the GAP Band.  Together, along with Ronnie Smith and Raymond Calhoun, the band is responsible for all time classics such as "Outstanding", "Burn Rubber On Me", "Humpin", "Yearning for your Love', "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", and "Party Train".  The GAP Band dominated the R&B charts from the late 70s into the early 80s.  Four of the bands nine albums went platinum plus, selling millions of records and 15 Top Ten R&B hits, and four #1 R&B hits.
The GAP Band’s unique combination of funk, quiet storm, r&b and soul has left a lasting impression on the music industry.  They have paved the way for r&b artists such as R. Kelly,  Blackstreet, Keith Sweat, Jagged Edge, Ruff Endz, Guy, II D Extreme, Mint Condition, and Aaron Hall.  The band has been sampled or covered by over 150 artists including 2^nd II None, Snoop Dogg, Paris, Nas, Ice Cube, Redman, and Kris Kross.  Outstanding remains one of the most sampled songs of all time.
I love the GAP Band, and so does Ma Dukes.  She introduced me to them over 30 years ago.  I can remember sliding around on the living room floor listening to "Oops Upside Your Head" and "Early in the Morning".  One of my all-time favorite r&b songs is "Seasons No Reason To Change".