Heatwave ~ The Groove Line 1978 Disco Purrfection Version
“Back in the spring of 1978, I was a graduating High School Senior. I knew it was to be my last summer in Detroit as my parents had arranged for the five of us kids to go to school in Quebec City. The radio was alive with all kinds of music, but one song really stood out…”The Groove Line”…with its “ooh ooh” or “whoop whoop” chant was gaining popularity and it could be heard in several other songs, but Foxy took the prize for most repeats with “Get Off”. I remember driving down Ford Rd with my bro and his best friend Jim, who was hanging out the car window doing the chant along with the song on the radio and the accompanying hand movement. Ahh, my foolish youth, but what a great memory for me. This was Heatwave’s last great single to hit top 10. The band faced several tragedies, first with Mario Mantese being stabbed by his enraged girlfriend then falling into a coma for months only to revive as blind, mute and paralyzed. In 1979 founding member Johnnie Wilder was paralyzed from the neck down in a serious auto accident and unable to perform with the group. He continued on as a co producer with Barry Blue. JD Nicholas replaced him for concert appearances. 1980 saw the release of the #21 single, “Gangsters Of The Groove”. Then, members one by one left the band until Heatwave died a quiet death in 1983. Keith Wilder tried to restart the band in 1988, but had to wait until 1991, when a remix of “Mind Blowing Decisions” became a hit in the UK to put a new band together. Keith Wilder now handles lead vocals and is the only original member left. Johnnie Wilder died peacefully in his sleep in May of 2006. “
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