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This article is about a musical group. For the Microsoft product, see threedegrees. threedegrees or 3° (frequently referred to as Three Degrees) was a communication and P2P application produced by Microsoft. For the UK triumvirate of black footballers that starred for West Bromwich Albion in the 1970s, see Cyrille Regis, Brendan Batson and Laurie Cunningham. West Bromwich Albion Football Club (also known as West Brom, The Baggies, Albion, The Albion, The Throstles or WBA) are This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Cyrille Regis, MBE (born 9 February 1958) is a French Guianan born English former footballer. Brendon Martin Batson, MBE (born 1 February 1953) is an English former Association footballer Born in St Laurence Paul " Laurie " Cunningham ( 8 March 1956 &ndash 15 July 1989) was an England international
The Three Degrees

Background information
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genre(s)R&B, disco
Years active1963–Present


The Three Degrees are a female Philly soul and disco vocal musical group formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define For the American arena football team see Philadelphia Soul. Philadelphia (or Philly soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define A musical ensemble is a group of two or more Musicians who perform instrumental or vocal Music. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Although always fronted by a three person line-up, there has been a number of personnel changes and a total of twelve women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter, and Linda Turner. They were discovered by Richard Barrett. Richard Barrett was an American Singer. He was born on July 13, 1933, and died on Thursday August 3, 2006, of They are best known for their hit song, "When Will I See You Again". " When Will I See You Again " was a hit song by The Three Degrees, released in 1974

The Three Degrees were formed around 1963 in Philadelphia, PA. They were discovered by producer and songwriter Richard Barrett. Richard Barrett may refer to Richard Barrett (composer (born 1959 is a Welsh composer Richard Barrett (Irish Republican (died 1922 Barrett was responsible for Groups of the 1950s such as the Chantels, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and his own group the Valentines. The original members of the Three Degrees were Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter and Linda Turner. Barrett recorded this line-up on their very first song entitled "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)" for Swan Records. Linda and Shirley both left the group and were replaced by Helen Scott and a variety of other ladies before Janet Harmon joined in the mid-60s. Barrett also began managing and producing Sheila Ferguson who was a high school friend of Helen's. Sheila Ferguson (born October 8 1947 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) was one of the longest serving singers of 1970s American female Soul Barrett also signed Sheila to Swan Records in 1965. The Three Degrees released a lot of singles like "I'm Gonna Need You" and a remake of "Maybe" with Helen taking the lead vocals. By 1966, with many performances lined up, Helen decided to leave the Group and start a family, not knowing she would return 10 years later. Sheila Ferguson filled in for Helen and would remain in the group for 20 years. Sheila sang backup on all the Three Degrees' Swan recordings as did the Three Degrees for her solo singles making her seem like a fourth degree. By 1967, Janet Harmon left the Group and was eventually replaced by a young beauty queen from Boston named Valerie Holiday. Barrett signed the Group to small deals over the next 3 years with Warner Brothers, Metromedia, and the Neptune Label which was owned by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff who would work with group 5 years later. Although these were quality recordings, namely "Contact" and "What I See", they failed to make any real impact due to poor marketing and distribution. Their close harmony singing, together with their stunning looks and sheer professionalism was, however, making them an extremely popular nightclub act, even though that much sought-after hit record was, for the time being, remaining elusive.

Contents

1970s

The Three Degrees
The Three Degrees

By 1970, the girls were signed to Roulette Records. They released their first LP entitled "Maybe",including a revised version of that song, now with a long rap at the beginning with Valerie on the lead vocals. That song brought them to #4 on the R&B charts. Other singles like "I Do Take You" and "You're The Fool" followed, as did their second album, "So Much Love". This success landed them a cameo appearance in the classic 1971 motion picture The French Connection, filmed during one of their appearances at the Copacabana nightclub in New York, and also an engagement at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas with Engelbert Humperdinck who was quoted saying that "The Three Degrees are the finest female vocal trio around today. For other uses see The French Connection. The French Connection is a 1971 Hollywood Crime film directed Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey, May 2 1936, Madras India) is a well-known British - American " Their voices are clearly heard on the "Live" album of this Show, originally released in 1971.

In 1973, with their contract with Roulette Records ending, Barrett signed them to Philadelphia International Records under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, where they were to have their greatest success so far. Philadelphia International Records is a Record label founded by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. They also made an appearance on the hit TV show Sanford and Son singing their song "I Didn't Know. Sanford and Son is an American Sitcom that premiered on the NBC Television network on January 14 1972, and was broadcast for " The first song they recorded was with the studio Band MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) called "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" which was the theme song for the TV show "Soul Train. MFSB (short for "Mother Father Sister Brother") was a pool of more than thirty resident Studio musicians based at Philadelphia’s famed This article is for the song for the record label see TSOP Records "T Soul Train is a music-related syndicated television program In its 35-year history the show has primarily featured performances by Rhythm and blues, soul " Their first PIR album was self titled. Altogether, The Three Degrees recorded 4 albums for the label. The first album spawned 3 top hits. The first single "Dirty Ol' Man" did not make any noise in the U. S but went gold in Holland and Belgium. It was also banned in the UK by the BBC!. The second single was "Year Of Decision" which made it to the top 10 in the UK. The third single "When Will I See You Again" was the one that would make them famous forever. " When Will I See You Again " was a hit song by The Three Degrees, released in 1974 It went number one all over the world and it won the 3rd annual Tokyo Music Festival in Japan. It had them in constant demand performing in front of full houses all over Europe and especially in the United Kingdom, where they were becoming part of the Establishment performing at such hot spots as the Talk of the Town and the Royal Albert Hall.


The Three Degrees also recorded 2 "Live" albums, one from Leicester, UK and the other from Tokyo, Japan, both released in 1975. "The Three Degrees International", their second studio album on Philadelphia International, had a wonderful selection of songs, some which were sung in different languages - French, Spanish and Japanese. International was a 1975 album by The Three Degrees. Aside from their fabulous harmonies and undeniable beauty The Three Degrees were also known as one of the most versatile In Europe, the album was called "With Love" and it spawned the hit single "Take Good Care Of Yourself" which was a massive hit in the UK. There were 2 songs from that album that were big in Japan: "Midnight Train" and "Nigai Namida", the second which was recorded in Japanese. In 1976, the Ladies inexplicably parted company with Gamble 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, although a single of the title track as released all over the world.

In 1976, Fayette decided to leave the group and return to school to finish her education. She was replaced by her friend and former colleague, Helen Scott. In 1977 they released the album "Standing Up For Love" also for Epic records but the label held no glory for the Group, who were fast learning that another change was necessary to keep up with the changing trends of a very fickle music business.

In 1978 The Three Degrees were signed to Ariola Records in Europe and the USA and began working with Giorgio Moroder who was the hit producer for Donna Summer. Further success was to follow fast. They released 2 albums on Ariola with 4 top 10 UK hits: "The Runner," "My Simple Heart," "Giving Up Giving In," and "Woman In Love. " They performed at Buckingham Palace for Prince Charles'( who is on record as stating that he is their biggest fan,and still listens to the group's recordings ) 30th Birthday Party and were guests at his pre-wedding party to Princess Diana. They also filmed their own television special at the Royal Albert Hall in London called "An Evening With The Three Degrees" in October, 1979, coincidentally, on Sheila's birthday.

1980s

Between 1982 and 1985 The Three Degrees released 2 albums on their own "3D" label entitled "Album of Love" and "Live in the UK". On that label they released one single written by Sheila entitled "Liar". They returned to the charts in 1985 with "The Heaven I Need" which was produced by Stock/Aitken/Waterman on Supreme Records. A third BBC-TV Special was also recorded in 1982, entitled "Take 3 Degrees" which included performances of their greatest hits and also songs that the group were performing in their latest show, such as "I Can't Turn You Loose" and "Celebration", all in their own inimitable style.

In 1986 Sheila Ferguson decided to leave the Group. Helen Scott and Valerie Holiday replaced her with Vera Brown in 1986 and then Rhea Harris in 1987. In 1989, Helen and Valerie along with new recruit Victoria Wallace recorded an album entitled "And Holding" on Ichiban Records. A single, "A Tender Lie" was also released. Following the album, the Group recorded a live CD at London's Dominion Theatre with Billy Paul and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes during their sell-out "TSOP Tour" in the Spring and Summer of 1989. The Ladies followed this with yet another successful tour of the UK and Japan at the end of the Year, but changes were afoot again.

1990s onwards

In December of 1989, Cynthia Garrison replaced her friend Victoria Wallace, forming the longest running line-up of the Group, still together to this day. Together with Helen and Valerie, they recorded 4 albums in the 1990s:

  1. "Best and New Hits"
  2. "Out of the Past, Into the Future"
  3. "Greatest Hits"
  4. "Christmas with The Three Degrees"

In 1993, The Three Degrees were asked to record a new version of "When Will I See You Again" with Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking fame). Thomas Anders (born Bernd Weidung, 1 March 1963, in Koblenz, West Germany) is a German Singer, Composer Modern Talking was a German Pop music duo consisting of composer/producer Dieter Bohlen and singer Thomas Anders. He was so impressed that he also provided three new tracks for their album "Out of the Past, Into the Future", marking their return to Ariola Records with what some say, was their best album for nearly 20 years.

Helen, Valerie, and Cynthia continue to tour the World to this day. Their recent tours and shows had them making their first US TV appearance in over 20 years in 2003 on the PBS special "Rhythm, Love, and Soul" with Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Mary Wilson and others as well as being a part of the "Best Disco In Town 2004 Tour" with The Pointer Sisters, Chic, The Emotions, and Evelyn "Champagne" King.

The group also took part in the 2007 "Best Disco In Town" Tour in the United Kingdom in May 2007. They also appeared on "Good Morning" on UK TV during the Tour, singing an updated version of "When Will I See You Again". They are now able to work in the USA again and in November 2007, were honoured in Philadelphia by BEMA together with original member Fayette Pinkney, creating, for the first time ever, the Four Degrees.

Following that Honour, The Ladies appeared, for their first ever full concert in Philadelphia, at the Clef Club in May 2008, where they received a Commendation from the State of Pennsylvania for "The Longest Running Girl Group". Once again, Miss Fayette Pinkney was in attendance and was on stage with Cynthia and her former singing partners, Helen and Valerie. The Four Degrees had been reunited once again, much to the delight of the audience, which included friends from England and Holland, as well as local celebrities and famous faces.

Members

19631963-661966-671967-761976-861986-871987-881988-891989-present
PinkneyPinkneyPinkneyPinkneyScottScottScottScottScott
TurnerHarmonHarmonHolidayHolidayHolidayHolidayHolidayHoliday
PorterScottFergusonFergusonFergusonBrownHarrisWallaceGarrison

Discography

Albums

Singles


External links

YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees " When Will I See You Again " was a hit song by The Three Degrees, released in 1974 YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees
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