Champaign (band)


Champaign
Origin Champaign, Illinois, United States
Genre(s) R&B, Soft rock
Years active 1981–1984, 1990
Former members
Pauli Carman
Rena Day
Michael Day
Dana Walden
Michael Reed
Rocky Maffitt
Howard Reeder

Champaign was an United States R&B band with adult contemporary leanings from the 1980s, best known for their 1981 hit, "How 'Bout Us."

Contents

Career

The inter-racial septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones (later Day) on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Howard Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffitt on percussion/drums. The title track from their 1981 album, How 'Bout Us, was a hit single, reaching Top 5 in the United Kingdom and on the United States R&B charts (also #12 U.S. Pop). Their second album, Modern Heart, was released in 1983 and contained the Top 10 R&B track "Try Again" (also #23 U.S. Pop). Another follow-up, 1984's Woman in Flames, included the Top 10 R&B song "Off and On Love." Other songs include "Party People" and "Walkin'".

In the mid 1980s Carman left the band to begin a solo career. He released his first solo album, Dial My Number in 1986, scoring an R&B hit with the title track. His second album, It's Time was released the following year. This follow-up effort proved less successful.

In 1990, Champaign (including Carman) reconvened to record, and the Champaign IV album was released the following year. While it was not a smash hit, it did herald a brief return to the R&B chart with the single "Trials of the Heart."

In 2003, a greatest hits compilation album was released that included most of the group's hits, though several (most notably "Try Again") were absent.

Former band member Michael Day died of cancer in 2001.

Discography

Studio albums

  • 1981: How Bout Us?
  • 1983: Modern Heart
  • 1984: Woman in Flames
  • 1991: Champaign IV

Compilation albums

  • 2003: Greatest Hits
  • 2009: All About Karma

References

External links

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