Boys Town Gang

Boys Town Gang
Origin San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres Disco, Hi-NRG
Years active 1980–1984
Labels High Fashion Music
Moby Dick Records
Fantasy Records
Members Cynthia Manley (1980-1981)
Jackson Moore (1981-1984)
Tom Morley (1980-1984)
Bruce Carlton (1981-1984)

The Boys Town Gang were a disco and Hi-NRG band from San Francisco, California. Their popularity peaked in the 1980s when the group reached No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart with the single "Cruisin' the Streets" and No. 1 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain (No. 4 on the UK Singles chart)[1] with their cover version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You".[2]

History

In 1980, DJ Bill Motley saw an opportunity to form a group that catered to San Francisco's large gay clientele. In his search to form a group, he auditioned hundreds of vocalists, both male and female. Local cabaret singer Cynthia Manley captured the lead spot.

The idea was originally for one 12" single with two tracks of high energy music. Motley, a Diana Ross fan, picked two Ashford & Simpson songs to form a medley for the A-side track. For the B-side track, he wrote a disco drama in four acts. A private record label was founded to release the two songs.

When "Remember Me"/"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was released, the song took off with Manley's vocals propelling the song to the top of the club charts. The four-act explicit "Cruisin' The Streets" was a snapshot of San Francisco's South of Market District - Ringold Alley at sundown.[3]

Manley departed after the release of these two records, and Jackson Moore took over lead-vocal responsibilities in 1981.

Band members

On the records "Remember Me"/"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Cruisin' The Streets", Cynthia Manley provided lead vocals with Robin Charin, Don Wood, Phill Manganello, Tom Morley, and Keith Stewart providing back-up vocals.

From the 1981 album Disc Charge, Jackson Moore was lead singer with Tom Morley and Bruce Carlton as back-up.[4]

Discography

Albums

  • 1981: Cruisin' The Streets
  • 1982: Disc Charge
  • 1984: A Cast Of Thousands

Singles

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 74. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ↑ Dutchcharts.nl
  3. ↑ Discogs.com
  4. ↑ Allen White Moby Dick's high energy Bay Area Reporter May 27, 1982
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