Looking for a fun and exciting gift to celebrate Mother’s Day?
Tickets to the upcoming Mother’s Day Matinee at the Murat Theatre might be the answer. Those tickets will be the key to what promises to be an unforgettable journey down memory lane led by the groups Heatwave, Enchantment and The Floaters.
This week the Recorder spoke with Keith Wilder of Heatwave, Joe Thomas of Enchantment and Larry Cunningham of The Floaters to see what they will bring to the Circle City on May 8.
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Heatwave – Formed by Dayton, Ohio-based brothers Johnnie and Keith Wilder, who served as co-lead vocalists. Heatwave scorched the dance floor with party jams such as ‘Boogie Nights” and “The Grooveline,” and created classic ballads like “Always and Forever.” The band has forged on despite a series of tragedies, most recently the 2006 death of Johnnie Wilder. Heatwave was recently featured on the TV1 series “Unsung.”
Recorder: How is everything with the group?
Keith Wilder: Very good. We’re still doing shows, performing around the world and enjoying the audiences.
What can people expect during the show?
Well, some relatives and my mother are coming up from Dayton because it has been a while since we played in that area. So, everyone can expect a truly special celebration of mothers, and we will provide good entertainment for them.
Can we expect a new Heatwave album?
Maybe, if we get the right material that maintains what we’re known for, but also fits in with today’s times.
What would you like people to remember about your brother, Johnnie?
He was just a very talented musician. He could sing, dance and was unique. Everything we did showed that we were family, and the whole band became that same makeup. The legacy he gave us was just hard work, and we put a lot of hard work into what we do.
What message do you have for Indianapolis fans?
I’m glad they still enjoy us and our music and we look forward to them coming out and joining us. If you have a request, let us know and we might put it in the show, if we don’t have it in our set already. Our web site is www.heatwave72.com.
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Enchantment – This vocal quintet stayed on the charts during the 1970s and early ‘80s, mostly with enchanting quiet storm favorites such as “It’s You That I Need,” “Gloria” and “Sunshine.” The group still has most of its original lineup, including lead vocalists E.J. Johnson and Joe Thomas.
Recorder: How does it feel knowing so many people have been touched by your music?
Joe Thomas: It feels wonderful. We enjoy the response of our audiences because we know that if we’re exerting the right energy, the audience will give it right back to us, then we know we’re doing our job. What amazes us is how many in the younger generation know every word to our songs. We see people who are not even in their 20s in the audience, and they are singing right along with us. That is just so heart warming.
How did you get the name Enchantment?
Originally, we called ourselves The Enchantments, which is grammatically incorrect. We looked up the meaning of the word enchantment, and it said, “to cast a spell, to be spellbound.” We agreed that’s what we wanted to do, to hold your attention.
Can we expect a new album?
Yes. In fact, we’re working on something as we speak. We want it to be classic Enchantment with some of the up-to-date techniques that they use so that we’re holding on to our original audience, but also getting newcomers.
What can we expect during the show?
We’re going to bring some excitement, do some movin’ and groovin’, make the ladies swoon if we can and make the old boys feel good.
What message do you have for local fans?
Thank you a million times, and may God bless you the way you have blessed us. We look forward to doing a great, exciting show for each and every one of you.
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The Floaters – This group is known for the 1977 classic “Float On.” Best remembered for its astrological sign introductions, the song has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. Today The Floaters are a trio with original members Larry Cunningham, Ralph Mitchell and Robert Palmer.
Recorder: Do you enjoy visiting Indianapolis?
Larry Cunningham: Yeah, I’ve been there for steppers’ conventions and football games. I get teased a lot about my Colts jersey out here in Arizona, where I live now. When football is in season I almost get into fights. They got some crazy football fans out here, man.
You are the founding member of the group. What made you choose this career?
I can remember going to a talent show right after I graduated from elementary school in Detroit. Five guys came over and were singing some ‘50s style doo-wop, and they had on black sharkskin pants and black gabardine shirts. The little girl who was supposedly my date lost her mind, went to pulling on her hair and all of the other girls in there went to screaming and hollering. I had never seen nothing like that before. That is when I said, “This is what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
How did you get the name The Floaters?
Well, we were pulling names out of a hat, and when we got to Floater, we settled on it. I decided it would be our total concept: the way we dressed, our choreography and our repertoire would have a floating kind of effect. We couldn’t sing very well, but we could step. We had dance steps and beautiful choreography that was amazing to people.
How did you get the birth sign theme in “Float On”?
Well, the astrology thing was very hot at the time. That is the way we always introduced ourselves during the early live shows, using our astrological signs. We just didn’t have a particular song to go with the intro until we recorded our first album. A disc jockey in New York just randomly played “Float On” one night, and the switchboard lit up. People listening to the radio that night said New York went crazy.
What can fans expect during the show?
Of course, “Float On,” and other requested favorites like “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” and “No Stronger Love.” We’re just happy to be performing in Indianapolis, and we can’t thank our supporters there enough.
Memories for mama
What: Mother’s Day Matinee featuring Heatwave, Enchantment and The Floaters
When: Sunday, May 8 at 6 p.m.
Where: The Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey Ave.
Tickets available at ticketmaster.com and the Murat box office, (317) 231-0000.
