Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 2687 Date: 04/12/1986
Debut: 73
Peak: 3
Weeks: 20
Genre: R&B, Dance-Pop
Pop Bits: Maikeli and Vaké Wolfgramm picked up and moved from their homeland of Tonga to the US in the mid-60s. They were both performers and musicians and as their family grew (and inspired by family groups like the Osmonds), Maikeli thought that his kids should form a band. It was the late 70s and there were enough kids in the family to get started. Other siblings would join in time and soon there was a steady band of eight that had learned vocals and instruments and were out performing. They got the attention of former Motown writer/producer Don Powell who signed them to his production company. He then got the family band hook up with MCA Records. By the end of 1985 The Jets had recorded their self-titled debut solo album. It's first single, "Curiosity," became a #8 R&B hit, but it couldn't make the crossover to Pop. However, this second single did. In addition to making into the Pop Top 10, it got to #4 R&B and #4 Dance. The family band had made the big time and were on their way to stardom.
ReduxReview: This tune was sure to be a hit with it's funky groove, synth stabs, and hooky chorus. I'm not sure why the lesser "Curiosity" was released first. My guess is that the label wanted to establish the group at R&B first before going mainstream - a not uncommon ploy at the time. Regardless, they smartly decided to unleash this and it ran amok on radio. It was just one of those mass appeal tunes that stood out and everyone jammed to. The 80s production was in full-swing and although dated now it still sounds pretty darn good. The family band certainly made a mark with this hit.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Although there were only eight siblings in the original Jets band, there ended up being a total of seventeen kids in the family. Fifteen of them were by birth and two others were adopted. As the years went by and original members dropped out of the band, they were usually replaced with younger family members. 2) The original name of the band was Quasar. Although a quasar is the name of a galactic object, it also became the brand name of a television in the late 60s. Powell wasn't impressed with the name and didn't thing the family name, Wolfgramm, was very good either. While having this on his mind, Powell happened to hear Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets" on the radio. That inspired him to dub the family band The Jets.
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