Radio WHAT

Radio WHAT - Featured Artist - Company B

Who could forget the 3 girls from Miami who wore those funky white "punk" wigs and blue-leather outfits?? COMPANY B was put together by Cuban-born Miami DJ/producer, ISH LEDESMA. (Of 70's & 80's bands; FOXY & OXO). In 1986 Ish and the girls released their massive international club hit "Fascinated" which reached number 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart. The original line up was: Lori L., Charlotte McKinnon, & Susan Gonzalez.

The following year Charlotte was replaced by Lezlee Livrano, and their self-titled album was released on Atlantic Records, which included the hits "Full Circle" (Number 5), "Perfect Lover"(Number 12), & "Jam On Me". New member Sheena then stepped in Susan's place. While making a path for the "Miami Freestyle" sound, Company B was also a great example of the early House sound that was getting a lot of attention in clubs at the time. Thus, getting them guest performances on Club MTV, Dance Party USA, The Apollo Theater, & others. Soon after, Lezlee & Sheena were replaced by Donna Huntley, and Expose' stand-in Julie Marie, and their sophomore album "Gotta Dance" was released in 1989 (also on Atlantic). This time losing the wigs, and living up to the early-House buzz, their first single off the album was "You Stole My Heart", and later a cover of The Andrews Sisters' 1941 hit, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Over the years they have released various albums containing their hits, and in 2000, with an all-new look, released a maxi-single with new remixes of "Fascinated" and new track "He's All I Want" under the name Company B2000. In 2005, Dance/House music diva SUZANNE PALMER covered "Fascinated", it quickly burned the dancefloors across the world, becoming one of her most successful singles! In 2006, Company B started performing again, with new member Rachel, kicking off at the 'Freestyle Explosion' concert in Miami, along with Lisa Lisa, Information Society, Debbie Deb, Afrika Bambaataa, Newcleus, Nocera, Connie, & the reunion of fellow girl-group Expose'.

Company B was a dance-pop trio formed in 1986 by Cuban-American producer Ish "Angel" Ledesma (Foxy, Oxo), featuring members Lori L. (Ledesma), Lezlee Livrano and Susan Johnson. After their self-titled debut album, Livrano and Johnson were replaced by Donna Huntley and Julie Marie.

History
Company B resulted from the music trend of producer-driven girl groups in the late 1980s and early 1990s, most successfully the group Exposé. Company B's first album was released in 1987 on Atlantic Records. Their first single, "Fascinated", received significant radio and club airplay. It reached number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart and crossed over to pop radio, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Today, it is regarded as a dance music classic. The trio was best known for this single, as well as their platinum wigs that were initially a part of their image. Although subsequent releases "Full Circle," "Perfect Lover," and "Signed in Your Book of Love" also received club play, along with appearances on such programs as Showtime at the Apollo, the songs received little attention on American radio.
In 1989, Company B released their follow-up album, Gotta Dance, sporting a revamped image; gone were the platimum wigs. Also seemingly gone were the latin-flavoured rhythms of the previous album. Singles culled from the album included the house-influenced "You Stole My Heart," "Gotta Dance" and a cover of The Andrews Sisters song, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (the song that served as inspiration for the group's name). Despite a music video for "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", the group did not attain the success of their debut effort. A third album recycled a few songs from the first album, including the track "Jam on Me," which included additional lyrics.
The lead singer is currently a backup singer for KC and the Sunshine Band

Discography

Albums
Company B, 1986. U.S. #143[1]
Gotta Dance, 1989
3, 1996
Irresistible, 1998

Singles
1986: "Jam on Me"
1987: "Fascinated" (#1 U.S. Dance, #21 U.S. Hot 100, #23 Netherlands, #89 UK)
1987: "Full Circle" (#5 U.S. Dance)
1988: "Perfect Lover" (#12 U.S. Dance)
1988: "Signed in Your Book of Love" (#9 U.S. Dance)

Our Sponsers

HOTTEST Music Station