| The Three Degrees | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Philadelphia soul, R&B, Disco |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Labels | Philadelphia International, Epic, Ariola, various |
| Members | |
| Valerie Holiday Helen Scott Freddie Pool |
|
| Past members | |
| Fayette Pinkney Linda Turner Shirley Porter Janet Harmon Sheila Ferguson Sundray Tucker Miquel Brown Vera Brown Rhea Harris Victoria Wallace Cynthia Garrison |
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The Three Degrees are an American female vocal group. Formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1], the group has always been a trio though there have been a number of personnel changes and a total of fourteen women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter and Linda Turner. Their most successful line-up was Fayette with Sheila Ferguson and Valerie Holiday, these being the ladies responsible for recording their 1974 single "When Will I See You Again" which was a huge international hit, peaking at #2 in the US and topping the UK Singles Chart.[2] Shortly afterwards, the trio became known as Prince Charles's favourite group.
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The Three Degrees were formed around 1963 in Philadelphia. They were discovered by producer and songwriter Richard Barrett.[1] Barrett was responsible for groups of the 1950s such as The Chantels, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and The Valentines.[1] Barrett recorded the original line-up on their first song, entitled "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)", for Swan Records, in 1965.[1] Turner and Porter both left the group, leaving Fayette Pinkney the only original member of the group. Both Turner and Porter were replaced by Helen Scott and a variety of other ladies before Janet Harmon joined in the mid 1960s.[1] Barrett also began managing and producing Sheila Ferguson, who was a high school friend of Scott.[1] Barrett also signed Ferguson to Swan Records in 1965.[1] The Three Degrees released a number of singles such as "I'm Gonna Need You" and a cover version of "Maybe" in 1966.
By 1966, with many performances lined up, Scott decided to leave the group to start a family.[1] Ferguson filled in for Scott and would remain in the group for 20 years. Ferguson sang backup on all the group's Swan recordings as did the Three Degrees for her solo singles.[1] By 1967, Harmon left and was eventually replaced by Valerie Holiday.[1] Barrett signed them to recording contracts over the next three years with Warner Bros., Metromedia, and Neptune record labels;[1] the latter of which was owned by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff who would work with group five years later. Their close harmony singing made them a popular nightclub act but a hit record still eluded them.
By 1970, they were signed to Roulette Records and they released their first album, Maybe.[1] The title song, this time with Valerie Holiday taking the lead vocals took them to #4 on the US R&B charts. Other singles like "I Do Take You" and "You're The Fool" followed, as did their second album, So Much Love. This success landed them a cameo appearance in the 1971 film, The French Connection, filmed during one of their appearances at the Copacabana nightclub in New York, and also an engagement at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada with Engelbert Humperdinck.[1]
In 1973, when their contract with Roulette had ended, Barrett signed them to Philadelphia International Records under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, where they were to have their greatest successes.[1] The first song they recorded there was with the studio band MFSB, entitled "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" which was the theme song for Soul Train.[1] In October 1973, the group also made an appearance on the American television sitcom Sanford and Son (Season 3, Episode 4), singing their song "I Didn't Know".[1] Their first album for the Philadelphia International label, simply titled The Three Degrees, spawned three hits; "Dirty Ol' Man" (which went gold in the Netherlands and Belgium), "Year Of Decision" (which made it to #13 in the UK Singles Chart),[3] but it was the third single, "When Will I See You Again", that propelled the trio into the mainstream. It topped the UK Chart for two weeks during August 1974 (the first all-female group to do so since The Supremes in 1964[3]), and became the 4th best selling single of the year.[4] It also reached #2 in the US, selling over two million copies, and earning the trio a gold record in December 1974[1][2][2] (at that time, Platinum certifications has not been assigned to singles).
The Three Degrees also recorded two live albums; one from Leicester in the UK, and the other from Tokyo in Japan, and released both in 1975. The trio's second studio album for the Philadelphia label, The Three Degrees International, was marketed internationally under different titles and in various languages. In Continental Europe, the album was called With Love, and it spawned the hit single "Take Good Care Of Yourself" which reached the UK Top 10. The UK release of the album was actually titled Take Good Care Of Yourself and peaked at #6 in the UK Album Chart, their highest ever chart placing for an album there.[3] Two other songs from the album were big successes in Japan: "Midnight Train" and "Nigai Namida", the latter was recorded in Japanese. In 1976, they parted company with Gamble and Huff and moved to CBS Sony/Epic Records where they released the concept album, A Toast Of Love, purely for the Far East market, although a single of the title track was released internationally. In 1976, Pinkney decided to leave the group and return to full time education and was replaced by former band member Helen Scott.[1] In 1977, they released the album, Standing Up For Love,[1] though this would be their last release for CBS/Epic.
In 1978, The Three Degrees signed to Ariola Records in Europe and the US and began working with Giorgio Moroder who had become a famed disco producer following his work with Donna Summer. Further success was to follow, and they released two disco-styled albums on Ariola (New Dimensions in 1978, and 3D in 1979) which delivered four UK Top 20 hits between them: "Givin' Up Givin' In", "Woman In Love"(originally recorded by Twiggy in 1977), "The Runner", and "My Simple Heart". They also performed at Buckingham Palace for Prince Charles's 30th birthday party in 1978, and would later be guests at the pre-wedding party for his marriage to Lady Diana Spencer[1] in 1981. Their own television special, The Three Degrees at The Royal Albert Hall (aka An Evening with The Three Degrees), was recorded in October 1979 in which the trio were backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 1980, the compilation album Gold was released and became a UK Top 10 hit. Featuring one side of their hits on the Ariola label between 1978–79, and one side of live recordings from their 1979 Royal Albert Hall television special, this would be the trio's second "best of" compilation to make the UK Top 10 in less than two years, after CBS released A Collection of their 20 Greatest Hits in early 1979 (which featured their pre-Ariola material, and peaked at #8 in the UK Album Chart).
Between 1982 and 1985, The Three Degrees released two albums on their own 3D label; Album of Love and Live in the UK.[1] On that label they also released a single written by Sheila Ferguson, entitled "Liar".[1] A third BBC Television show was also recorded in 1982, titled Take 3 Degrees, which included performances of their greatest hits, and also songs that the group were performing in their latest show, such as "I Can't Turn You Loose" and "Celebration". They returned to the UK charts in 1985 with "The Heaven I Need" which was produced by Stock/Aitken/Waterman on Supreme Records, though the single narrowly missed the UK Top 40.[1]
In 1986, Miquel Brown filled in for Scott whilst the latter was pregnant. That same year Ferguson decided to leave the group.[1] Scott and Holiday replaced her with Vera Brown in 1986 and then Rhea Harris in 1987. In 1989, Scott and Holiday, along with new recruit Victoria Wallace, recorded an album entitled Three Degrees...And Holding on Ichiban Records.[1] A single, "A Tender Lie" was also released. Following the album, the group recorded a live CD at London's Dominion Theatre, with Billy Paul and Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes in the summer of 1989.[1] The group followed this with another tour of the UK and Japan at the end of the year.
In December 1989, Cynthia Garrison replaced Wallace,[1] forming the longest running line-up of the group. In 1993, they were asked to record a new version of "When Will I See You Again" with Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking). He supplied three tracks for their album Out of the Past Into the Future, marking their return to Ariola Records and their most successful album for 15 years, Two further singles were released from the album, the re-recording of "Dirty Ol' Man" and new song "Hurry Hurry". A seasonal album, Christmas With The Three Degrees, was also recorded in 1998.
Scott, Holiday and Garrison continued to tour. They made their first US TV appearance in over 20 years in 2003 on the PBS show, Rhythm, Love, and Soul with Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and Mary Wilson. They were also part of the 'Best Disco In Town 2004 Tour' with The Pointer Sisters, Chic, The Emotions, and Evelyn "Champagne" King. They also took part in the 2007 'Best Disco In Town' tour of the United Kingdom in May 2007.
In 2008 the group released the album "Helen, Valerie, Cynthia: The Greatest Hits" which included completely new recordings of the groups biggest hits and some fan favourites[5].
The group, together with founder member Fayette Pinkney, received various honours during 2007 and 2008, through BEMA (The Black Entertainment and Music Association) and the City of Philadelphia for their contribution to music over five decades, creating, for the first time, The Four Degrees.
Fayette Pinkney died on June 27, 2009, in Lansdale Hospital, Pennsylvania, after a short illness, at the age of 61.[6]
In 2009 the group released their first studio album in over ten years, "Undercover 2009" it contained a selection of eight cover versions of classic songs by the likes of Abba, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Bee Gees[7]. The following year they released a new single "Holding Back"[8].
In January 2011, Freddie Pool replaced Cynthia Garrison due to the latter having Piriformis syndrome, as the Degrees had touring commitments to fulfill.
The Holiday/Scott/Garrison version of The Three Degrees has been the longest running version of 21 years duration.
| 1963-63 | 1963–66 | 1966–67 | 1967-67 | 1967–76 | 1976–86 | 1986-86 | 1986–87 | 1987–88 | 1988–89 | 1989–2010 | 2011–present |
| Fayette Pinkney | Fayette Pinkney | Fayette Pinkney | Fayette Pinkney | Fayette Pinkney | Helen Scott | Miquel Brown | Helen Scott | Helen Scott | Helen Scott | Helen Scott | Helen Scott |
| Linda Turner | Janet Harmon | Janet Harmon | Sundray Tucker | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday | Valerie Holiday |
| Shirley Porter | Helen Scott | Sheila Ferguson | Shelia Ferguson | Sheila Ferguson | Sheila Ferguson | Sheila Ferguson | Vera Brown | Rhea Harris | Victoria Wallace | Cynthia Garrison | Freddie Pool |
| Year | Album | Chart positions[10] | Record label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
UK[11] | ||||
| 1970 | Maybe | 139 | 16 | — | Roulette | |
| 1973 | The Three Degrees | 28 | 33 | 12 | Philadelphia Int'l | |
| 1975 | International | 99 | 31 | 6 | ||
| 1975 | So Much Love | — | 56 | — | Roulette | |
| 1976 | A Toast of Love | — | — | — | Epic | |
| 1977 | Standing Up for Love | — | — | — | ||
| 1978 | New Dimensions | 169 | — | 34 | Ariola | |
| 1979 | 3D | — | — | 61 | ||
| 1982 | Album of Love | — | — | — | 3D | |
| 1989 | ...And Holding | — | 76 | — | Ichiban | |
| 1993 | Out of the Past, Into the Future | — | — | — | BMG Ariola | |
| 1998 | Christmas With The Three Degrees[12] | — | — | — | Marathon Media International | |
| 2009 | Undercover 2009[13] | — | — | — | The Reader's Digest Association Inc. | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart | ||||||
| Year | Album | Chart positions[10] | Record label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
UK | ||||
| 1975 | The Three Degrees Live In Japan | — | — | — | Philadelphia Int'l | |
| 1976 | The Three Degrees Live | 199 | 34 | — | ||
| 1985 | Live in the UK | — | — | — | 3D | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart | ||||||
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Record label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
UK[11] | ||||
| 1979 | A Collection of Their 20 Greatest Hits | — | — | 8 | Epic | |
| 1980 | Gold | — | — | 9 | K-Tel | |
| 1994 | Very Best of the Three Degrees | — | — | — | BMG Int'l | |
| The Complete Swan Recordings | — | — | — | Sequel | ||
| 1996 | The Roulette Years | — | — | — | ||
| The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again | — | — | — | Legacy | ||
| 2002 | Super Hits | — | — | — | ||
| 2008 | Helen, Valerie, Cynthia: The Greatest Hits[14] | — | — | — | Essential Media Group LLC | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart | ||||||
| Year | Single | Chart positions[15] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
US A/C |
UK[11] | |||
| 1965 | "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)" | 80 | — | — | — | |
| "I'm Gonna Need You" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Close Your Eyes" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Eve of Tomorrow" (with Tony Mammarella) | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1966 | "Look in My Eyes" | 97 | — | — | — | |
| "Maybe" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Tales Are True" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Love of My Life" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1968 | "Contact" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1969 | "Down in the Boondocks" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Feeling of Love" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1970 | "What I See" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Melting Pot" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Maybe" (re-recorded version) | 29 | 4 | — | — | ||
| "I Do Take You" | 48 | 7 | — | — | ||
| 1971 | "You're the One" | 77 | 19 | — | — | |
| "There's So Much Love All Around Me" | 98 | 33 | — | — | ||
| "Ebb Tide" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "I Wanna Be Your Baby" | — | — | — | — | |
| "I Won't Let You Go" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "Dirty Ol' Man" | — | 58 | — | — | |
| 1974 | "Year of Decision" | — | 74 | — | 13 | |
| "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" (with MFSB) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 22 | ||
| "Love Is the Message" (with MFSB) | 85 | 42 | — | — | ||
| "When Will I See You Again" | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | ||
| "Get Your Love Back" | — | — | — | 34 | ||
| 1975 | "I Didn't Know" | — | 18 | — | — | |
| "Trade Winds" | — | 46 | — | — | ||
| "Take Good Care of Yourself" | — | 64 | 24 | 9 | ||
| "Long Lost Lover" | — | — | — | 40 | ||
| "Free Ride" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976 | "A Toast of Love" | — | — | — | 36 | |
| "What I Did for Love" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977 | "Standing Up for Love" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1978 | "Giving Up, Giving In" | — | 39 | — | 12 | |
| 1979 | "Woman in Love" | — | 27 | 50 | 3 | |
| "The Runner" | — | — | — | 10 | ||
| "Golden Lady" | — | — | — | 56 | ||
| "Jump the Gun" | — | — | — | 48 | ||
| "My Simple Heart" | — | — | — | 9 | ||
| 1980 | "Set Me Free" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Without You" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984 | "Liar" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1985 | "The Heaven I Need" | — | — | — | 42 | |
| "This Is the House" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989 | "Tie U Up" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Make It Easy on Yourself" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Lock It Up" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993 | "When Will I See You Again 93" (With Thomas Anders)[16] | — | — | — | — | |
| 1993 | "Dirty Ol' Man 93"[17] | — | — | — | — | |
| 1993 | "Hurry Hurry"[18] | — | — | — | — | |
| 1998 | "Last Christmas" (with Alien Voices) | — | — | — | 54 | |
| 2010 | "Holding Back" | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | ||||||
| Book: The Three Degrees | |
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