Showstoppers

This US group was formed in Philadelphia by the younger brothers of R&B singer Solomon Burke. The unit comprised Laddie Burke (b. 1950, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) and Alex Burke (b. 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). The group was completed by another set of brothers, Earl Smith (b. 1949, Massachusetts, USA) and Timmy Smith (b. 1950, Massachusetts, USA). Having met while studying at Germantown High School, this electrifying unit, initially influenced by the vocal group the Vibrations, is best recalled for ‘Ain’t Nothing But A Houseparty’ (1968), a vibrant, infectious song beloved in discotheques. A minor pop hit in the USA, the single proved far more popular in Britain, reaching number 11 on its first release before re-entering the charts in 1971. The backing musicians on this song included Carl Chambers, who was later drummer with Gladys Knight And The Pips, and Joe Thomas, who went on to become the guitarist with the Impressions. Two equally exciting tracks, ‘Eeny Meeny’, a UK Top 40 entry in 1968, and ‘Shake Your Mini’, followed, but the Showstoppers were unable to repeat their early success. ~ Rovi