Gregg Diamond

Gregory Oliver Diamond (May 4, 1949 – March 14, 1999)[1] was an American pianist, drummer, songwriter, and producer who was active in the jazz and disco music scenes of the 1970s.

Gregg Diamond
Birth nameGregory Oliver Diamond
Born(1949-05-04)May 4, 1949
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 1999(1999-03-14) (aged 49)
United States
GenresPop rock, jazz, disco, pop, glam rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)Piano, keyboards

Career

Diamond was a member of the backing band for Jobriath, the Creatures.[2] He played drums and percussion.

Diamond wrote the song "Hot Butterfly", which was released in 1978 under one of his group's names, Bionic Boogie, with Luther Vandross providing lead vocals.[3] The song was later covered by David Lasley, the Sweet Inspirations, and Chaka Khan. His other popular songs included "Risky Changes" (released by Bionic Boogie in 1977), "Dance Little Dreamer" (released by Bionic Boogie in 1977), "Cream (Always Rises to the Top)" (released by Bionic Boogie in 1978), "Starcruisin'" (1978), "Fancy Dancer" (1978), and "Tiger, Tiger (Feel Good For a While)" (1979).

"Dance Little Dreamer" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1978. The song "Cream (Always Rises to the Top)" reached #61 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1979.[4]

Diamond's association with Vandross came from the success of David Bowie's Young Americans album, which included contributions by both Vandross and Diamond's brother Godfrey (his sound engineer). He also wrote and produced an album for TK Records recording artist George McCrae, scoring a club hit with "Love in Motion". His biggest commercial success was as writer and producer of the single "More, More, More" recorded by the Andrea True Connection in 1975.[5] Diamond received a posthumous songwriting credit for Len's 1999 hit "Steal My Sunshine", for it included a sample of "More, More, More".

Diamond died of gastrointestinal bleeding on March 14, 1999, at the age of 49.[6]

Discography

Albums
  • 1977: Bionic Boogie (Polydor)
  • 1978: Gregg Diamond Bionic Boogie – Hot Butterfly (Polydor)
  • 1978: Gregg Diamond's Star Cruiser (TK)
  • 1979: Gregg Diamond Bionic Boogie – Tiger Tiger (Polydor)
  • 1979: Gregg Diamond Hardware (Mercury)

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions
US Dance
[7][8]		 US R&B
[7][8]		 UK
[9]
1978 "Dance Little Dreamer" 1 ― ―
"Risky Changes" 1 79 ―
"Hot Butterfly" 8 ― 77
"Star Cruiser" 7 57 ―
1979 "Danger" 21 ― —
"Cream (Always Rises to the Top)" ― ― 61
1980 "Tiger Tiger (Feel Good for a While)" 33 ― ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

References
  1. Arena, James (July 5, 2013). First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers (illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 43. ISBN 9781476603322.
  2. Garnett, Abby (August 13, 2014). "Interview: Godfrey Diamond on Andrea True's 'More, More, More'". Red Bull Music Academy.
  3. Araya, Masaki (July 1, 2015). "Forever, For Always, For Luther". ChicagoNow. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 154. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. Allen, Craig (August 30, 2014). "Meet Andrea True Connection". WKXW.
  6. Paoletta, Michael (April 3, 1999). "Dance Trax". Billboard. p. 44. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. "Bionic Boogie Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  8. "Gregg Diamond Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  9. "GREGG DIAMOND BIONIC BOOGIE - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
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