Heatwave (band)

funk/disco band

Heatwave is an international disco and funk band. The group was formed around 1975. Its most popular lineup was Americans Johnnie Wilder, Jr and Keith Wilder for vocals, Englishman Rod Temperton for the keyboards, Jamaican Eric Johns and Briton Roy Carter for guitar.

Heatwave
OriginLondon, England[1]
GenresFunk, disco
Years active1975–1984, 1988-present
LabelsGTO Records, Epic Records
MembersKeith Wilder, Napoleon Eugene Phillips, Elliot Levine, Elwarren Witherspoon, Keith Busey, Anthony Contee, Geno Myers, Ignatius Mason, Byron Byrd, Donovan Blackwood, Nathan Watson
Past member(s)Johnnie Wilder, Jr. (deceased)
Keith Wilder
Rod Temperton
Mario Mantese
Ernest Berger
Eric Johns
Roy Carter
Billy Jones
Derek Bramble
Calvin Duke
J.D. Nicholas
Peter Jordan
Marvin Jones
Keith Harrison

The group had hit singles, like "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever".

The group broke up in 1984. However, Heatwave got back together around 1988 and resumed releasing R&B music.[2]

In 2002 the group released an extended remix of "Boogie Nights".

On 5 October 2016, Temperton's death was announced after what was described by his music publisher as "a brief aggressive battle with cancer". Temperton had died at the age of 66 in London the previous week and his funeral had already taken place. The exact date of his death was not announced.[3]

Keith Wilder (born Keith Edward Wilder on 20 December 1951 in Dayton, Ohio) died on 29 October 2017, at the age of 65.[4]

Keyboardist Ernest "Bilbo" Berger died from a cardiac arrest on 1 March 2024, at the age of 73.[5]

References

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  1. "Heatwave "boogies' in with Rufus, Stargard". The Baltimore Afro-American.
  2. "Heatwave 1988". Discogs. Retrieved Jun 23, 2016.
  3. "Rod Temperton: Thriller songwriter dies aged 66". BBC. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  4. "Heatwave founder Keith Wilder dies". Soul Tracks. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  5. "ERNEST "BILBO" BERGER DIES". Soul&Jazz &Funk. Retrieved March 3, 2024.