The legendary S.O.S. Band are celebrating their 45th Anniversary of their debut single “Take Your Time (Do It Right).”
The song reached the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B singles chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Billboard dance chart, it went to #1 for four non-consecutive weeks.
From their debut album “S.O.S.” originally released June 6th, 1980.
The S.O.S. Band were a success out the gate with “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” the single sold two-million copies.
To celebrate the bands anniversary, UMG has made all of the bands albums available for streaming!
The Atlanta, GA-borne band was started in 1977, when keyboardist/vocalist Jason Bryant, saxophonists Billy Ellis and Willie “Sonny” Killebrew, guitarist Bruno Speight, bassist John Alexander Simpson, drummer James Earl Jones III, and lead vocalist Mary Davis formed a group called Santa Monica that played at Atlanta nightclub the Regal Room.
Their manager, Bunny Jackson-Ransom, sent a demo to Clarence Avant, head of Tabu Records. After signing the band to Tabu, Avant suggested that the band work with songwriter/producer Sigidi Abdullah.
Abdullah was curious as to why an Atlanta-based band named itself Santa Monica? Keyboardist Jason Bryant replied that the band had an enjoyable concert in Santa Monica, CA. Abdullah then came up with a new band name, The S.O.S Band, with S.O.S standing for “Sounds of Success.”
Abdullah produced and co-wrote “Take Your Time (Do It Right)” with Harold Clayton, which went platinum, parking at #1 R&B for five weeks and peaking at #3 pop on Billboard’s charts in spring 1980.
The debut album, “S.O.S,” went gold, selling over 800,000 copies and holding the #2 R&B spot for three weeks.
With all the newfound success, the band added the talents of trumpeter/vocalist Abdul Ra’oof while setting off on a world-wide tour.
Their sophomore album, “Too,” was released in summer of 1981. The album featured the modest hit “Do It Now (Part 1).”
The band’s third album, “S.O.S Band III,” they worked with producer Leon Sylvers III. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced the first single “High Hopes.”
“High Hopes,” hit #25 R&B in the fall of 1982 while the album went to #27 R&B in late 1982.
That was the beginning of the S.O.S. Band‘s musical relationship with legendary writing team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
On their fourth album, “On the Rise,” Jam and Lewis took over the production chores. Scoring with hot lead “Just Be Good to Me,” a #2 hit, and the #5 beatbox ballad “Tell Me if You Still Care.”
“On the Rise” became their second gold album hitting #7 R&B in summer 1983.
The formula continued working: “Just the Way You Like It,” went to #6 R&B in fall 1984 and “Sands of Time” went gold and hit #4 R&B in spring 1986.
The album including the #2 Billboard R&B hit “The Finest.”
In 1987, vocalist Mary Davis left the S.O.S Band to pursue a solo career.
“It was all a part of growth. I felt that it was time to move on. I believe that whenever you do a project it should have a certain variety to it. Sometimes you’ll want to hear ballads, then at other moments you want uptempo grooves. So with this project I really wanted to get away from the S.O.S. Band sound, to prove I could do it alone, Mary stated to Billboard.”
In 1989, the band recorded two more albums: “Diamonds in the Raw,” produced by Eban Kelly and Jimi Randolph and “One of Many Nights,” produced by Curtis Williams. With new lead vocalists Chandra Currelley and Fredi Grace.
In August 1994, former lead vocalist Mary Davis reunited with Abdul Ra’oof and Jason Bryant, and together they reconstructed a new band with the same funky S.O.S sound, appearing on comedian Sinbad’s HBO concert specials and Rhino’s various-artists set United We Funk on October 5th, 1999.
The S.O.S. Band worked diligently through 2000 to continue to create and perform great music that would stand the test of time. They toured throughout the world performing at top festivals and functions without skipping a beat.
In 2020, Mary Davis retired from traveling to live performances due to health concerns.
To continue the remarkable legacy of the S.O.S. Band, it became imperative to find a talented lead vocalist to assist in continuing the touring schedule.
Marleen Thimas was selected to continue the legacy of the iconic Mary Davis.
Both vocalists were given a stamp of approval by the original lead vocalist Mary Davis before beginning the new journey with the S.O.S. Band. Their abilities and talent have not gone unnoticed by fans.
As 2021 came to a close, the S.O.S. Band released a limited edition 12″ vinyl remix of the S.O.S. Band single “Just Get Ready.”
The S.O.S. Band continues to be everyone’s favorite band!
Head to Your Favorite Music Provider and Stream “The S.O.S. Band!”
