The Three Degrees When Will I See You Again With James Last Orch

American female song group

The Iii Degrees
Background data
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.Due south.
Genres	Philadelphia soul, R&B, disco
Years active	c. 1963–present
Labels	Philadelphia International, Epic, Ariola, Swan Records, Roulette Records, 3D Records, Ichiban Records, Neptune Records, Metromedia, Warner Brothers,
Associated acts	MFSB
Website	www.thethreedegrees.com
Members	Helen Scott (1963-1966, 1976-present) Valerie Holiday (1967–nowadays) Freddi Poole (2011–present)
Past members	Fayette Pinkney (1963–1976) Linda Turner (1963) Shirley Porter (1963) Janet Harmon (1963–1967) Sheila Ferguson (1966–1986) Sundray Tucker (1967) Sonia Goring (1967) Miquel Brown (1986) Vera Brown (1986–1987) Rhea Harris (1987–1988) Victoria Wallace (1988–1989) Cynthia Garrison (1989–2010)

The 3 Degrees is an American female person vocal group formed circa 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[1] Although 16 women have been members over the years, the group has always been a trio. The current line-up consists of Helen Scott, Valerie Holiday, and Freddi Poole. The group were particularly successful in the UK, achieving xiii Top 50 hit singles betwixt 1974 and 1985.

The original members were Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter and Linda Turner. Porter and Turner were soon replaced by Janet Harmon and Helen Scott. The line-upwards from 1967 to 1976 was Pinkney, Valerie Vacation and Sheila Ferguson, who would go on to sing lead on most of the group's biggest hits. This line-up topped the U.s.a. Hot 100 every bit featured vocalists on the MFSB single "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" in 1974, and had seven Uk Top 40 hits, including the 1974 single "When Will I See Yous Again", which was a huge international hit, reaching the Peak 5 in seven countries, including number two in the U.s. and topping the U.k. Singles Chart.^[2] When Pinkney left the group in 1976, she was replaced by a returning Helen Scott. This line-up had four UK Summit twenty hits, including "Adult female in Love", which reached number three in 1979. Ferguson left for a solo career in 1986.

The grouping'southward most stable line-upwardly was from 1989 to 2010, with Cynthia Garrison joining Holiday and Scott. They achieved a final United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland chart entry, reaching number 54 in 1998 with a trip the light fantastic comprehend of "Last Christmas". Garrison left the ring at the end of 2010 due to health reasons, and was replaced past Freddi Poole in 2011. The grouping'due south 2022 album, Strategy: Our Tribute to Philadelphia, was their start studio anthology release with Poole as a member.

Career [edit]

1960s [edit]

The Three Degrees were formed around 1963 in Philadelphia according to founder fellow member, the late Fayette Pinkney: "it's about '63, last yr in high school...and it was fun!". They were discovered by producer and songwriter Richard Barrett,^[1] who produced the original line-up on their first vocal, "Gee Infant (I'm Sad)", for Swan Records, in 1965.^[ane] Turner and Porter both left the group, leaving Fayette Pinkney the only original member. They were replaced by Helen Scott and Janet Harmon in early 1963.^[1] Barrett besides became managing director of Sheila Ferguson, who had been friends with Scott since high schoolhouse.^[one] Barrett signed Ferguson to Swan Records in 1965.^[i] The Three Degrees released a number of singles, including "I'g Gonna Need Yous" and a embrace version of "Maybe" in 1966.

When Scott left the group in 1966 to start a family,^[1] Ferguson filled in for her. She remained for twenty years and was lead singer on most of the group'southward best-selling tracks. The group reciprocated with backup vocals on her solo recordings.^[1] Harmon left by 1967 and afterwards a couple of ladies came and went, was somewhen replaced by Valerie Holiday.^[1] Barrett signed them to recording contracts over the next three years with Warner Bros., Metromedia, and Neptune tape labels,^[1] the latter owned by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who would work with the group five years subsequently. The group'south close harmony singing made them a popular nightclub deed, but a hit record still eluded them.

1970s [edit]

Past 1970, they were signed to Roulette Records and they released their commencement album, Peradventure.^[1] The title song, this time with Valerie Holiday taking the lead, took them to No. 4 on the Us R&B chart. The singles, "I Practise Take You" and "You're the Fool" followed, equally did their second album, So Much Love. This success landed them a cameo advent in the 1971 movie, The French Connection, where they performed a embrace of Jimmy Webb's "Everybody Gets to Become to the Moon", filmed during one of their appearances at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City.^[one]

In 1973, when their contract with Roulette concluded, Barrett signed them to Philadelphia International Records under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, where they had their greatest successes.^[1] The first song they recorded for the label was with the studio band MFSB, titled "TSOP (The Audio of Philadelphia)", which was the theme vocal for Soul Train.^[1] In October 1973, the group too made an appearance on the American television sitcom Sanford and Son (season 3, episode 4), singing their song "I Didn't Know".^[one]

Their first album for the Philadelphia International label, The 3 Degrees, spawned 3 hits: "Dirty Ol' Man" (which went gold in the Netherlands and Belgium), "Year Of Decision" (which fabricated it to No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart),^[iii] only it was the tertiary single, "When Volition I Encounter You Again", that propelled the trio into the mainstream. Information technology topped the United kingdom Chart for two weeks in August 1974 (the starting time fourth dimension this had been achieved past an all-female group since The Supremes in 1964,^[three]) and became the fourth acknowledged single of the year.^[4] It besides reached No. 2 in the The states, where information technology sold over two meg copies and earned the trio a aureate record in December 1974^{[1] [2]} (at that fourth dimension, Platinum certifications had not been assigned to singles).

The Three Degrees also recorded two live albums: 1 in Leicester in the UK, and the other in Tokyo in Nippon, and released both in 1975. The trio'southward second studio anthology for the Philadelphia characterization, The Three Degrees International, was marketed internationally under different titles and in various languages. In Continental Europe, it was called With Beloved, and it spawned the hit single "Accept Good Care Of Yourself", which reached the UK Top 10. The Uk release of the album was actually titled Accept Good Care Of Yourself and peaked at No. 6 in the UK Albums Chart, their highest ever chart placing for an album there.^[three] Two other songs from the album were big successes in Japan: "Midnight Railroad train" and "Nigai Namida [ja]", the latter having been recorded in Japanese.

In 1976, the Three Degrees parted company with Take a chance 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 place, although a unmarried of the title runway was released internationally. In 1976, Fayette Pinkney was replaced by onetime ring member Helen Scott. ^[1] Thus, the anthology, Standing Up For Honey,^[i] released in 1977. This album would be their final release for CBS/Epic.

In 1978, The 3 Degrees signed to Ariola Records in Europe and the US and began working with Giorgio Moroder, who had become famous as a disco producer following his work with Donna Summertime. Further success was to follow, and they released two disco-styled albums on Ariola (New Dimensions in 1978, and 3D in 1979) which delivered 4 UK Top 20 hits between them: "Givin' Upwardly Givin' In", "Woman In Honey"(originally recorded past Twiggy in 1977), "The Runner" and "My Simple Heart". The group performed for Prince Charles at his 30th birthday party in 1978, and were guests at the pre-wedding party for his wedlock to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.^[1] Their ain television special, The Three Degrees at The Imperial 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.

1980s [edit]

In 1980, the compilation album Gold was released and became a U.k. Pinnacle 10 hit. Featuring one side of their hits on the Ariola characterization betwixt 1978 and 1979, and i side of live recordings from their 1979 Regal Albert Hall telly special, this would be the trio'southward 2nd "best of" compilation to make the U.k. Top x in less than two years, later CBS released A Collection of their 20 Greatest Hits in early on 1979 (which featured their pre-Ariola material, and peaked at #8 in the Great britain Anthology Nautical chart).

Between 1982 and 1985, The 3 Degrees released 2 albums on their own 3D label; Album of Love and Live in the UK.^[1] On that label they also released "Liar", a unmarried written by Sheila Ferguson.^[i] A 3rd BBC Television evidence was also recorded in 1982, titled Have 3 Degrees, which included performances of their greatest hits, and as well songs that the grouping were performing in their latest bear witness, such equally "I Can't Plough 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 Acme 40.^[1] The ring expressed surprise the song did non chart college, and spoke of their regret that their working human relationship with the product team did not continue.^[5]

In 1986, Miquel Brown filled in for Scott while the latter was significant. That same year Ferguson decided to leave the group.^[1] Scott and Vacation replaced her with Vera Brownish of The Ritchie Family unit in 1986, and then Rhea Harris in 1987. In 1989, Scott and Vacation, forth with new recruit Victoria Wallace, recorded the album Three Degrees ... And Holding on Ichiban Records.^[ane] A single, "A Tender Prevarication" 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 1989.^[1] The group followed this with some other bout of the UK and Japan at the end of the year.

1990s onwards [edit]

In December 1989, Cynthia Garrison replaced Wallace 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 Over again" with Thomas Anders (of Mod Talking). He supplied three tracks for their album Out of the By Into the Time to come, marking their render to Ariola Records and their most successful album for xv years, Two further singles were released from the album, the re-recording of "Muddy Ol' Human being" and new vocal "Hurry Hurry". In 1996 they released a new all-time of anthology, Best & New Hits: When Will I See You Once more, which included four re-recorded hits and six new songs.^[vi] A seasonal album, Christmas With The 3 Degrees, was besides recorded in 1998. This album included a embrace of Wham's "Last Christmas", which was released every bit a remixed dance single which gave the grouping their 15th (and final) UK top 60 single, reaching #54.

Scott, Holiday and Garrison continued to bout. They made their starting time United states of america TV appearance in over twenty years in 2003 on the PBS testify, Rhythm, Beloved, and Soul with Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and Mary Wilson. They were also part of the 'All-time Disco In Boondocks 2004 Tour' with The Arrow Sisters, Chic, The Emotions, and Evelyn "Champagne" King. They besides took part in the 2007 'Best Disco In Town' tour of the United Kingdom in May 2007.

In 2008 the group released the anthology Helen, Valerie, Cynthia: The Greatest Hits, which included completely new recordings of the grouping's biggest hits and some fan favourites.^[7]

The group, together with founder member Fayette Pinkney, received various honours during 2007 and 2008, through BEMA (The Black Amusement 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.^[8]

In 2009 the group released their first studio anthology in over x years, Undercover 2009. It contained a choice of eight comprehend versions of classic songs past ABBA, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Bee Gees.^[nine] The following year they released a new single "Property Back".^[10]

In January 2011, Freddie Pool replaced Cynthia Garrison, who was suffering from Piriformis syndrome, as the Degrees had touring commitments to fulfill.

In 2022 The Iii degrees released their starting time total-length studio album with fellow member Freddie Puddle entitled Strategy: Our Tribute To Philadelphia, through Cherry Red Records.^[11]

The Holiday/Scott/Garrison version of The Three Degrees was the longest running formation of the group (1989–2010).

Cover versions [edit]

• Big Fun covered "The Sky I Need" on their 1990 album, A Pocketful of Dreams.
• Mirrorball sampled "Giving Up, Giving In" as "Given Up", and this was released equally a single in 1999. It reached #12 in the UK Singles Chart.
• Sheena Easton covered "Giving Upwards, Giving In" on her album Fabulous, and released the runway equally single in 2000. It reached #54 in the UK Singles Chart.^[12]
• The Nolans as well covered "Giving Up, Giving In" on their anthology, I'm In The Mood Again (2009).
• UK girl group, Bananarama, covered "The Runner" on their anthology, Viva (2009).
• Erasure covered "When Will I See Y'all Again" on their anthology, Other People's Songs.^[xiii]
• Hong Kong Cantopop vocaliser Priscilla Chan (陳慧嫻) covered "When Will I Meet You lot Again" into a Cantonese version entitled "幾時再見?!" (lit. "When Will I See You lot Once again?!") on her album, 秋色 (lit. "Fall Colours"), in 1988.

Members timeline [edit]

1963

1963–66

1966–67

1967

1967

1967–76

1976–86

1986

1986–87

1987–88

1988–89

1989–2010

2011–present

Fayette Pinkney

Helen Scott

Miquel Brown

Helen Scott

Linda Turner

Janet Harmon

Sundray Tucker

Sonia Goring

Valerie Holiday

Shirley Porter

Helen Scott

Sheila Ferguson

Vera Brown

Rhea Harris

Victoria Wallace

Cynthia Garrison

Freddie Pool

• Sundray Tucker (Cindy Scott) had a brief spell with the trio in 1967 (aslope Ferguson and Pinkney) as did Sonia Goring of The Chantels, who also stood in for some shows during the same year before being replaced by Valerie Vacation, who has now been active in the grouping for over 50 years.
• Miquel Brownish filled in for Scott while she was pregnant in 1986 (alongside Ferguson and Holiday). Scott returned to the group earlier Ferguson decided to leave later that year and was replaced by Vera Brown of The Ritchie Family unit.

Discography [edit]

• Maybe (1970)
• The Iii Degrees (1973)
• International (1975)
• A Toast of Love (1976)
• Standing Upwards for Love (1977)
• New Dimensions (1978)
• 3D (1979)
• Anthology of Love (1982)
• …And Holding (1989)
• Out of the Past, into the Future (1993)
• Christmas with the Iii Degrees (1998)
• Clandestine 2009 (2009)
• Strategy - Our Tribute to Philadelphia (2016)

Filmography [edit]

• The French Connection (1971)
• Sanford and Son (Season 3, Episode 4 titled "Presenting the 3 Degrees" aired October 5, 1973) ^[14]
• Birds of Prey (2020)

See also [edit]

• List of funk musicians
• List of disco artists (Due south-Z)
• List of people from Philadelphia
• List of artists who reached number i in the United States
• Listing of artists who reached number one on the United kingdom Singles Chart

References [edit]

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l grand n o p q r s t u 5 w x y} "Biography by Ed Hogan". Allmusic.com. Retrieved February nine, 2009.
2. ^ ^{a b} Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (second ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 351. ISBN0-214-20512-6.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Roberts, David (2006). British Striking Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 558. ISBN1-904994-10-v.
4. ^ "1970s Singles Nautical chart Archive". everyHit.com. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
5. ^ "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 7: My Heart Goes Bang (Go Me To The Doctor) to They Say It's Gonna Pelting on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts . Retrieved August 6, 2021.
6. ^ "Three Degrees : discography". 3degrees.eg2.fr. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
7. ^ "iTunes - Music : Greatest Hits Of The Iii Degrees by Cynthia Garrison, Helen Scott & Valerie Holiday". itunes.apple.com. October 7, 2008. Retrieved May five, 2013.
8. ^ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2009 January to June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
9. ^ "iTunes - Music - The 3 Degrees - Undercover 2009 by The Three Degrees". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
10. ^ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
11. ^ "The Three Degrees denote a new album Strategy: Our Tribute To Philadelphia to be released on iv March on SoulMusic Records". Cherryred.co.britain. January v, 2016. Retrieved June v, 2017.
12. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 177. ISBNane-904994-10-5.
13. ^ Robert L. Doerschuk (January 28, 2003). "Other People'due south Songs - Erasure | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved March xv, 2017.
14. ^ "Television Guide Website". tvguide.com. Retrieved May 14, 2020.

Further reading [edit]

• The Three Degrees in-depth interview past Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' February 2011
• The Three Degrees interview, 'Yuzu Melodies' April 2013
• Clemente, John (2000). Girl Groups — Fabulous Females That Rocked The World. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 276. ISBN 0-87341-816-6

External links [edit]

• Official website
• The 3 Degrees at AllMusic
• The Three Degrees at IMDb

christoffersocort1957.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Degrees

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