Pockets (band)

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Pockets
Also known asThe Pockets
OriginBaltimore, Maryland, United States
GenresSoul, funk
Years active1970s to 1980s, 2016 to present
LabelsColumbia, ARC Records
Associated actsVerdine White
Websitehttps://www.pocketsband.net
Past membersKevin Barnes
Gary Grainger
Glenn Grainger
George Gray
Larry Jacobs
Irving Madison
Al McKinney
Jacob Sheffer
Charles Williams[1]

Pockets are an American R&B band.[1][2] They had three top 40 R&B hits in the late 1970s. They are best known for their single "Come Go With Me".

History[]

The Baltimore based band was firstly dubbed the Pockets by singer Luther Ingram as a description of their musical style.[3] As a septet the band went on to record several demos at Sheffield Studios in 1975. Being mostly top 40 covers and four original songs these records didn't make much of an impact. With this being so band member Al McKinney eventually met up with John Mackey of the Baltimore Colts. Mackey happened to be Verdine White's next-door neighbor and thus a cassette of the group was passed along to White who became impressed. White went on to bring in Larry Jacobs from San Francisco to be the group's lead vocalist.[4] As an eight-man band the Pockets got signed in 1977 to Columbia Records. The group then started recording their first album which was being produced by White.[5]

Entitled Come Go With Us the Pockets' debut LP was issued in October 1977 by Columbia.[6] Come Go With Us got to no. 17 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums charts.[7] The album's lead single "Come Go With Me" also rose to nos. 17 & 32 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs and Dance Club Songs charts.[8][9]

The Pockets' sophomore album Take It On Up was issued in 1978 on Columbia Records. The LP was executively produced by Maurice White with Verdine White and Robert Wright also serving as producers.[10] The album reached No. 22 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.[11] The LP's title track reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[12]

They would go on to have a third R&B top 40 hit with "So Delicious" which made it to no 34. Other songs that charted were "Catch Me", and "Happy for Love". The latter charted at 69 in the R&B chart and no 79 in the dance chart.[13]

The band eventually reformed and along with another classic R&B act Breakwater went about a tour of the United Kingdom during 2016 & 2017.[14][2]

Members[]

Original lineup[]

  • Kevin Barnes (trombone, vocals, percussion)
  • Gary Grainger (bass, vocals)
  • Gregory Grainger (percussionist, vocals, aux drummer)
  • George Gray (drums, vocals, percussion)
  • Larry Jacobs (vocals, percussion)
  • Albert McKinney (keyboards, vocals)
  • Irving Madison (sax, vocals, percussion)
  • Jacob Sheffer (guitar, percussion)
  • Charles "Chuck" Williams (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, vocals, percussion)[15][16]

2016/2017 line up[]

  • Craig Alsten
  • Rick Aspel
  • Greg Boyer
  • Chris Fischer
  • Gary Grainger
  • Greg Grainger
  • Freedom Imani
  • Larry Jacobs
  • Marshall Keyes
  • Robert Wawa Legrand
  • Edgar Montalvo
  • David Ylvisaker
  • Bryan Fox (Special guest)[17]

Discography[]

Albums[]

Year[1] Title[1] Billboard 200[8] US R&B[9] Label[1]
1977 Come Go With Us 57 17 Columbia
1978 Take It On Up 85 22 Columbia
1979 So Delicious — 43 Columbia
1996 Golden Classics — — Collectables

Singles[]

Year[1] Title[1] US Hot 100[18] US R&B[19] Label[1]
1978 "Come Go With Me" 84 17 Columbia
1978 "Pasado" — 65 Columbia
1978 "Take It On Up" — 24 Columbia
1979 "Happy For Love" — 51 Columbia
1979 "Catch Me" — 69 Columbia
1980 "So Delicious" — 34 Columbia

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Pockets". Allmusic.com.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Breakwater And The Pockets Live". Mi-soul.com.
  3. ^ "Pockets- The Inside Story". Billboard Magazine. October 8, 1977. p. Page 102. Pockets Come Go With Us Album.
  4. ^ "Pockets: Come Go With Us". Funkmysoul.gr.
  5. ^ Billboard, January 14, 1978 - Page 21 Radio-TV Programming
  6. ^ Pockets: Come Go With Us (Liner notes and album text). Columbia Records. October 1977.
  7. ^ "Pockets: Come Go With Us (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.com.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pockets: Billboard 200". Billboard.com.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pockets: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard.com.
  10. ^ Pockets: Take It On Up (Liner notes and album text). Columbia Records. 1978.
  11. ^ "Pockets: Take It On Up (Top Soul Albums)". billboard.com.
  12. ^ "Pockets: Take It On Up (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
  13. ^ Music VF - The Pockets Top Songs, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
  14. ^ "Breakwater and The Pockets". Brooklynbowl.com.
  15. ^ Discogs - Pockets, Profile:
  16. ^ Billboard, February 4, 1978 - Page 92 Billboard Hot 100
  17. ^ Pockets website - Upcoming Events, The Band:
  18. ^ "Pockets: Hot 100". Billboard.com.
  19. ^ "Pockets: Hot R&B Songs". Billboard.com.

External links[]


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