High Inergy

High Inergy

Michelle Martin, Linda Howard, Barbara Mitchell (1979)
Background information
Origin Pasadena, California,
United States
Genres Pop, R&B, soul
Years active 1977–1983
Labels Gordy
Associated acts Smokey Robinson
Switch
Past members Linda Howard (deceased)
Michelle Martin
Barbara Mitchell
Vernessa Mitchell (1977-1978)

High Inergy was an American R&B and soul girl group who found fame on Motown Records in the late 1970s. They are best known for their hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)".

History

Based in Pasadena, California, the four ladies that would become known as High Inergy were discovered during a Bicentennial show in their hometown by Gwen Gordy Fuqua. The members of the group included lead singer Vernessa Mitchell, her sister Barbara Mitchell, Linda Howard and Michelle Martin (or Rumph). The Mitchell sisters were singers, while the remaining members were known primarily for their dancing.[1]

Fashioned after Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes (they were actually named after the 1976 Supremes High Energy album with just the 'e' changed to an 'i' in "energy"), the group was signed to Motown's Gordy subsidiary in 1977. They quickly found success with the R&B/pop hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)," which reached R&B #2 and U.S. #12.

The group became a trio when Vernessa left after the second album to pursue a career in gospel music. Barbara Mitchell replaced her sister as lead singer.[1]

The group would score a total of nine R&B hits before disbanding for solo careers in 1984.

Group member Linda Howard died on December 17, 2012 from unknown causes.

Collaborative Efforts

On their 1980 album, Hold On, the group collaborated with labelmates Switch on the track, "Hold On to My Love." The song features Switch member Bobby DeBarge as the male lead vocalist. He also produced and co-wrote the song.[2]

Smokey Robinson performed two duets with Barbara Mitchell on Groove Patrol, High Inergy's last album, which was released in 1983.[3]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Cat. # R&B Pop
1977 Turnin' On[4] Gordy G6-978 S1 6 28
1978 Steppin' Out[5] Gordy G7-982 R1 46 42
1979 Shoulda Gone Dancin'[6] Gordy G7-987 R1 72 147
Frenzy[7] Gordy G7-989 R1 — 205
1980 Hold On[2] Gordy G8-996 M1 70 208
1981 High Inergy[8] Gordy G8-1005 M1 — 203
1982 So Right[9] Gordy 6006GL — —
1983 Groove Patrol[3] Gordy 6041GL 62 206

Singles

Year Single Cat. No. R&B Pop Dance
1977 You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle of Turning Me On) b/w Save It For A Rainy Day[4] Gordy G 7155F 2 12 -
1978 Love Is All You Need b/w Some Kinda Magic[4] Gordy G 7157F 20 89 -
We Are The Future b/w High School Gordy G 7160F 77 - -
Lovin' Fever b/w Beware Gordy G 7161F 51 - -
1979 Shoulda Gone Dancin' b/w Peaceland[6] Gordy G 7166F 50 - 35
1980 Make Me Yours b/w I Love Makin' Love (To The Music) Gordy G 7187F 68 - -
1981 Goin' Through The Motions Gordy 73 — -
1982 First Impressions b/w Could This Be Love Gordy 1613GF 50 - -
1983 He's A Pretender b/w Don't Let Up On The Groove[3] Gordy 1662GF 62 82 25

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lowe, John. "High Inergy - Biography". United States: All Music Guide. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hold On (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1980.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Groove Patrol (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1983.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Turnin' On (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1977.
  5. ↑ Steppin' Out (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1978.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Shoulda Gone Dancin (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1979.
  7. ↑ Frenzy (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1979.
  8. ↑ High Inergy (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1981.
  9. ↑ So Right (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1982.