SLY,SLICK & WICKED
Sly, Slick & Wicked were / are a three strong male outfit. They enjoyed a recording career (1970 - PRESENT).
-group biography by John Wilson (SLY) himself-
(interview for billboard magazine and some additions)
Myself (SLY) & Charles Still (SLICK),formed the group in 1970;Paramount Records was the first record company. Released 2 45's in '72. Then we recorded on PolyGram (part of James Brown's label) and performed on Soul Train in '73. After thenwe recorded Shaker Records (which was owned by the O'Jays), Motown (cut two albums there) and went to Epic in 1979. So almost a span of10 years we recorded and performed. Toured with almost every major act, including the Kool Jazz Festivals.
The group Sly, Slick & Wicked, which again consisted of me, born in Cleveland, Ohio. Charles Still ( Slick ) was born in Washington D.C. but his family moved to Cleveland in the early 60's. Marc Sexton ( the original Wicked ) was born in West Virginia and he moved to Cleveland with his family in the late fifties. Terry Stubbs ( the replacement and longest serving Wicked ) was born in Detroit and once again he relocated to Cleveland in the early sixties.
In 1971 with Paramount (Paramount Pictures' recording division which at one time had us, the Pointer Sisters, Bobby Womack), we recorded "Stay My Love" which came out in 1972 and which, in certain parts of the country, was in the top 20; in other parts it was #1. Then we released "It's Not Easy".
After "It's Not Easy", we signed in 1973 with People/Polydor (James Brown's label) who also had The JB'S and Lynn Collins.
From there we went to Shaker Records and had a song out called "Turn On Your Lovelight". And from that point, we went to Motown and had an album out called "Sly,Slick & Wicked". They recorded a second album with us, then we went to Epic and recorded an R&B/pop hit called "All I Want Is You."
Before Sly,Slick & Wicked Group started as TAM-A-LAS when John was 12 years old and other members were James Sizemore, Michael Johnston. Irvin Holme and Paul Woodall (who later became one of The Out-Of-Sights on Saru Records). The Tam-A-Las were taught harmony by Ronald Sizemore (brother of James Sizemore). After that I formed The Mod Squad and then we became Sly,Slick & Wicked in 1970.
*SLY,SLICK & WICKED on BAD BOY LABEL (released 2 45's and 1 album) was different group. (There's no relation between John Wilson's group).
DISCOGRAPHY
45's
*Stay My Love / Surely (Paramount 0165) 1972
Both Lead Singer-John, Charles & Mark
Recorded at Motion Picture Sound Recording Studio on 24th & Payne Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Back up by BELLTELEFUNK (aka THE DAZZ BAND). Sly,Slick & Wicked and they are all schoolmates(John F.Kennedy High school, Cleveland,Ohio). The Band members were Kenny Brown (Bass), Johnny Poindexter (Keyboard), Sim London (Drums), Ed Brown (Guitar), Joel Jackson (Guitar), Carlos Martines from New York (Congas), Bobby Harris went to John Adams High School (Sax). Kenny Brown left the group first and became the Band Director for Gladys Knight & The Pips for 10 years. And you can see on the album cover of "The Temptations & The Supremes TBC Live" and look at the person playing congas and the inside cover of "The Average White Band/Soul Searching" that's Carlos. If you look at the back of The Spinner album which contains "I'll Be Around", you'll see a rhythm section, that's the original DAZZ BAND.
*It's Not Easy /Your Love Was Meant For Me (Paramount 0186) 1972 "It's Not Easy":John,"Your Love Was Meant For Me":Charles
"It's Not Easy" was recorded at MEDIA STUDIO in New York City around the summer of 1972. session members unknown. "Your Love Was Meant For Me" was recorded at AGENCY RECORDING STUDIO in Cleveland, Ohio. The Session musicians were Sim London (Drums), George Jones (Guitar), Joe Pearson or Kenny Brown (Bass), Johnny Reeves (Keyboard), Don Groton:Director of the string section, and everything was arranged by John Wilson.
*Open Up Your Heart/Why Must I Be Me (Unissued by Paramount)
"Open Up Your Heart":John & Charles, "Why Must I Be":John
Recorded at the same time as "Your Love Was Meant For Me".
*Sho Nuff / I'm Ready For You (People 625) 1973
Both John, Charles & Terry
Recorded at Advantage Recording Studios in New York City. James Brown ..boards and bells. Other session members unknown.
*JUST FOR YOU (Unissued by People/Polydor)
Charles & Terry
Recorded at the same time as People 625.
*Turn On Your Love Light / We Don't Have To Be Lovers (Shaker 102) 1974
"Turn On Your Love Light":Charles & Terry, "We Don't Have To Be Lovers":John & Charles
Session members were Bobby Dukes ..boards, Russell Evans on guitar, Ricky Hicks on conga, Bobby Johnson on bass and Hammersmith on guitar. They're The O'Jays band.
*Help/Leave Me Like You Found Me (Unissued recording by O'Jays)
"Help":Charles,Leave Me Like You Found Me:Charles,
*All I Want Is You / The Prophet - Sweet City (Epic 9-50758) 1978
"All I Want Is You":John, The Prophet is instrumental.
Sweet City was located on Chagrin Blvd, in Beachwood, Ohio a suburb of Cleveland. The President of the label was CARL MADURI. Sweet City Records had a piggyback deal with Epic who was distributed by CBS now SONY. Sweet City had other artists ,for example, Wild Cherry, La Flavour, Donnie Iris. Dun Pearson ..boards, but other session members unknown.
*Ain't Enough Lovin (Unissued by Sweet City)
recorded in Cleveland, Ohio at Cleveland Recording Studios in 1980:John. This is John Wilson's first and only solo attempt.
*Strutt Your Stuff/instrumental (First String FS7-5183) 1984 recorded in Los Angels with Barry White on Drums and Tower Of Power on Horns. released under a pressing mistake which says Strutt instead of Sly,Slick & Wicked:Charles,
*"Surrender Your Love"
recorded in Cleveland, Ohio at Cleveland Recording Studios in 1984. Unissued for First String Records and lead singer was Michael "Wicked" Bell.
*Take Me To Your Party (radio mix)/same (long version) (Golden Boy GB12 301) 1984
Quality Records recorded in Los Angeles with the same mistake of calling them Strutt instead of Sly, Slick & Wicked. Eddie Guren, the president of Golden Boy Records, also managed RJ's Latest Arrival was president of Quality. He gave their last 45 which had mistake group being called Strutt by accident to the secretary in the office, she accidentally gave the wrong information to the pressing plant. So, again this was released as Strutt. Lead singers are DaFrance & Charles. DaFrance Forest is current Wicked. He is a son of Gene Chandler and has great soulful voice. He was originally a member of the group "For Lovers Only" on Motown records in 1994-5, produced by Melvin Franklin & Otis Williams of The Temptations.
LP
The Sly, Slick & Wicked/same (Jupar/Motown) JP6-1003S1
When Your In Love:Terry / Nobody's Home:Charles / Love All Over The World:Charles & Terry / Money Back Guarantee:Charles & Terry / It This Aint Really Love:Charles & Terry / Just Let Me Love You:Charles / We Wont Miss It:Terry / I can't hold it back no longer:Charles
Roy Norman,their another producer introduced group to Motown. Most of session players were made up from O'Jays band and Sly,Slick & Wicked's band members. There are 8 more unissued tracks by Motown. Titles are
"Girl Please Please":Charles & Terry, "Girl You're My Suprise":John & Charles, "Where Did You Learn To Love Me Like That":Charles, "Slow Disco":Charles, "Topless Wonder":Charles, Miss San Francisco":Charles, other 2 songs title;unknown.
OTHER UNISSUED RECORDINGS
*Always & Forever":John, Charles & DaFrance,
*All Mine":Charles,
*I Promise":Charles,
*I DO":Charles,
no label recorded in Los Angeles 1998.
*Love Power
no label recorded in Los Angeles at Fidelity Recording Studios,1988:Charles,
*Makin Love On A Lazy Night
recorded in Los Angeles 1999. Charles & DaFrance,
