*This is DJ Rob reporting with my boy Bowlegged Lou on deck…We all remember “Float On” by the Floaters, that four- (and sometimes five)-man group out of Northeast Detroit who wowed us with one of the smoothest songs in soul music history.
It was one of the cheesiest love ballads in a decade full of cheese (the ‘70s). Never before or since had a song’s sole premise been to feature four guys with come-on lines built around their zodiac signs and what they liked in a woman.
“Float On” by the Floaters featured those smooth cats Ralph the Aquarius, Charles the Libra, Paul the Leo, and then…Drum roll please…..
“Cancer! and my name is Larry.”
Larry was Larry Cunningham, one of the group’s founders who passed away last year in Arizona after a long undisclosed illness. He was 67 and yesterday, June 23 he celebrated his birthday in heaven.
“Cancer! and my name is Larry,” he boasted. The boldness of his delivery instantly got our attention and was enough to melt the hearts of ladies nationwide. “Float On” went on to be a huge worldwide smash hit.
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Hey, its Bowlegged Lou of Full Force & I will take it from here with the story. Thanks, DJ Rob.
So some years ago, my group released an album called Still Standing on TVT Records now called The Orchard/Sony Records & it’s still selling all over the world.
I decided to go Float On Crazy as Full Force recorded a remake and it featured many versions with many guest appearances.
I decided to go to Detroit to meet The Floaters in person as well as record a version with them in the same studio they recorded the original in & we used the same engineer too. There is a video link with documenting audio too. I met the 2 original members of Larry Cunningham & Ralph Mitchell with the 2 other group members of Michael Charles and Robert Paul.
What a fun session & honor to work with the Floaters. You guys will see and hear the attached video & feel the fun vibe we had. On that version with The Floaters, we also feature the legendary Isaac Hayes and Meli’sa Morgan. In the video skit intro, Larry describes Meli’sa as a very pretty lady with the big hair. Larry had such a great sense of humor too. I will miss him.
Full Force also did a version with Ginuwine, Gerald Levert, Kevon Edmonds & Gerald Levert.
We did a mostly ladies version featuring Regina Belle, the late great Vesta, the spoken intro of Vivica Fox along with return performances by Isaac Hayes & Meli’sa Morgan
We also did a Jazzy Instrumental plus version that featured the talking and playing by the legendary musicians of George Duke on piano, Najee on sax, Nile Rodgers on guitar & Miss Bobbi Humprey on flute.
I told you I went Float On crazy. So in honor of Larry Cunningham’s birthday as well as The group The Floaters & the song Float On itself, we include here all the video & slideshow versions with the links attached.
And now some full-on crazy talk from Bowlegged Lou:
WE HONOR THE FLOATERS AND THE SONG FLOAT ON AND SINCE MY 42ND BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW COME JUNE 24TH WHEN I TURN 4O. I SALUTE ALL CANCER ZODIACS SUCH AS LARRY CUNNINGHAM WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN 68 YESTERDAY JUNE 23RD WHILE I WILL BE TURNING 39 TOMORROW AS WE ALL JUST BE FLOATIN’ ON. Enjoy the videos.
“Float On With Us” – Full Force & The Floaters with Isaac Hayes & Me’lisa Morgan:
Full Force – “Float On With Us” (Classic Ballad Mix) with Ginuwine, Gerald Levert, Kevon Edmonds & Montel Jordan:
“Float On With Us” (Ladies Mix) Full Force feat. Regina Belle,Vesta, Spoken Intro by Vivica Fox & Meli’sa Morgan with Isaac Hayes:
“FULL FORCE’s Float On With Us Jazz Vocal Mix with Najee, Nile Rodgers, Bobby Humphrey, George Duke:
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