Fleming Williams

Fleming Williams is known as a member of the group The Hues Corporation and as the lead singer on their hit "Rock The Boat.^[2]

Background

Williams was a tenor from Flint, Michigan.^[3] An early group he was a member of was called the 21st Generation, a group that that also featured James Cobbin and Ron Murray.^[4] The group recorded a singe, "I Need Love" / "Hey James" that was released in 1970 on the Tri-City label. It was arranged by alto saxophonist and arranger Willie "Face" Smith and produced by Choker Smith.^{[5] [6]} In the same year, he had his own composition "Poverty Child" released as the A side of a single released on the Better World record label. It was also arranged by Smith and produced by Campbell.^[7]

Williams wasn't the original singer of the Hues Corporation. The group briefly had Karl Russell but he was soon replaced by Williams.^[8] Williams was actually discovered by Hues Corp member H. Ann Kelley.^[9] The group had a no 1 hit with "Rock The Boat" which was the first disco hit to have that distinction.^[10]

It has been reported that Williams left after the groups recording the first album but he was also featured on the second album. He was replaced by Tommy Brown.^[9][11]

Session work

In 1972, along with former 21st Century bandmate James Cobbin, he provided background vocals for David Axelrod's The Auction album.^[4][12] He had also recorded with Cannonball Adderley and George Duke on Adderley's Soul of the Bible album.^[13] He provided background vocals for Lee Garretts Heat For The Feets album.^[14] Along with Jim Gilstrap he provided background vocals for Candi Statons Young Hearts Run Free album.^[15]

Musical

A musical based on his life called Rock the Boat: The Fleming Williams Story” ran at the The New McCree Theatre. There was a message about the dangers of drugs in the musical production. Williams as a young man was played by a local actor Marquawan Burnett and Carl Williams played him as an older man.^[16]

Compositions

• "Poverty Child", Appears on the Fleming Williams solo single of the same name
• "This Love" , Appears on the Barry White & Glodean White – Barry & Glodean album^[17]
• "Oooo....Ahhh....", (Co-written with Barry White & Jakki Milligan), Appears on the Barry White – Beware! album^[18]
• "A Special Love Song", Appears on the Positive Express – Changin' Times album^[19]

Discography

Solo

• Fleming Williams - Poverty Child / Shades Of Time - Can You Dig It - Better World – 4357 (1970)^[20]

Lead vocal

Guest

• David Axelrod - "The Auction" and "Freedom", appears on album: David Axelrod – The Auction Decca – DL 75355 (1972)^[21]

• Cannonball Adderley - "Fun In The Church", Appears on album: Cannonball Adderley Presents Nat Adderley Sextet, The* Plus Rick Holmes – Soul Of The Bible - Capitol Records – SABB-11120 (1972)^[22]

Lead singer

• The Hues Corporation - Freedom for the Stallion - RCA Victor – APL1-0323 (1973)^[23]
• The Hues Corporation - Rockin' Soul - RCA Victor – APL1-0775 (1974)^[24]

Backing vocals

• Cannonball Adderley – Big Man: The Legend Of John Henry - Fantasy – F-79006 (1975)^[25]
• David Axelrod – The Auction - Decca – DL 75355 (1972)^[21]
• Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free - Warner Bros. Records – BS 2948 (1976)^[26]
• Lee Garrett - Heat For The Feets - Chrysalis – CHR 1109 (1976)^[27]
• Millington - Ladies On The Stage - United Artists Records – UA-LA821-G (1977)^[28]
• Ned Doheny - Prone - CBS/Sony – 25AP 1359 (1979)^[29]
• Jeff Porcaro – Session Works II - Sony Music Japan International Inc. – SICP-20388 (2012) (CD Compilation^[30]

Links

• Fleming Williams at Find A Grave
• Fleming Williams at DiscoMusic.com
• Chester Cat The Hues Corporation, Remember Rock The Boat?
• Fleming Williams at Disco Museum

References