Fizzy Qwick (born February 9, 1953)[1] is an American singer and songwriter who has recorded in various musical styles ranging from R&B to new wave. Her recordings from the early 1980s have become popular among fans of Northern soul since the early 21st century.
Lewis recorded under her own name either as a member of the R&B group Bridge or as a solo artist. Bridge evolved from an earlier group called Vitamin E, that was produced by Norman Connors. The new group was a septet that featured both teenager Derick Hughes and Lewis on vocals. Lewis also contributed to the group as a songwriter.[5]
In the early 1980s she formed a new wave trio called Tiggi Clay, allegedly named after a notorious bully (who is portrayed in their initial music video). For this group she adopted the colorful stage name Fizzy Qwick. Her bandmates had the equally colorful names of William "Billy" Peaches (real name: Hilary Leon Thompson) and Romeo "Breath" McCall (real name: De Wayne Sweet). In 1983, Tiggi Clay signed with the newly formed Motown rock subsidiary, Morocco. The album jacket from their self-titled debut showed the trio only in silhouette, presumably to create a mystique and/or conceal their racial identity. A similar technique was used with other label artists such as white soul singer Teena Marie and Berry Gordy's son Rockwell on their initial releases. In fact, Rockwell's smash hit, "Somebody's Watching Me" was peaking on the charts at the same time as Tiggi Clay's initial single, "Flashes" entered Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Unfortunately, despite positive reviews from trade publications including Billboard, their album was not commercially successful.
Two years later, with the Morocco label already shut down, Fizzy Qwick released a self-titled solo album on the parent label. It was co-produced by Tiggi Clay bandmates Peaches and McCall in association with Gregg Crockett.[6] "Hangin' Out", the initial single from the album (written by McCall) was a significant departure from the Tiggi Clay album. It had more of a pop feel, somewhat reminiscent of 1960's girl groups. Billboard said the song had "a lot of the spirit of the Supremes' greatest." The music publication selected it as a "Pick of Week", and went on to describe it as "a class debut for the solo chanteuse."[7] Unfortunately, "Hangin' Out" was unable to rise above the lower third of the R&B charts. The B-side was the jazz-flavored "Angels in the Snow", which is extremely rare because the song does not appear on the album. The follow-up single, "You Want It Your Way, Always" (co-written by Lester Abrams, perhaps best known for the Doobie Brothers hit, "Minute by Minute") had a grittier sound reminiscent of Tina Turner. The latter song was also highlighted by a guitar solo by Joe Satriani.[6] However, it received only regional airplay and failed to make the charts.
In 2000, the UK-based label First Experience Records, released Crying for Love, a CD of demo recordings of the R&B septet Bridge. These were the recordings that landed Bridge a deal at the CBS subsidiary Bang twenty years earlier. Despite the unfinished quality of some of the tracks, this release has become a favorite of fans of Northern soul. Although the proposed album at Bang was never completed, at least two of the demo tracks were recorded by other artists prior to the CD's release. The song "Next to Me" was covered by drummer Kenneth Nash on his 1986 album, Mr. Ears. Jean Carne and Glenn Jones recorded "Sweet and Wonderful" on Carne's 1981 album of the same name. The latter track was co-written by Fizzy Qwick under her birth name, Debravon Lewis.[5]
Most recently, she has written for female vocalist U.Niq.
Selected discographyedit
Singlesedit
As Debravon Lewisedit
1981: "The Little Things (That Keep Me Loving You)" b/w "I'm Not That Kind of Girl" (Oakland Smoke 003)
Tiggi Clay (lead vocalist)edit
1984: "Flashes" b/w "Roses for Lydia" (#86 Pop, Morocco 1716)
1984: "The Winner Gets the Heart" by "Who Shot Zorro?" (Morocco 1728)
As Fizzy Qwickedit
1986: "Hangin' Out" b/w "Angels in the Snow" (#71 R&B, Motown 1838)[7]
1986: "You Want It Your Way, Always" b/w "Young, Single and Tough" (Motown)
De Wayne Sweet (as Romeo "Breath" McCall); Hilary Leon Thompson (as W. Billy Peaches)
Fizzy Qwick
Referencesedit
^ ab"California Birth Index, 1905–1995 [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. 2005. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
^ Unknown. "Devine Iverson Family Reunion – Edward Z. Lewis Profile". United States. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
^Edward Z. Lewis (2009). "Social Security Death Index [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
^ Katrina Smith. "Devine Iverson Family Reunion – Katrina Smith Profile". United States. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
^ ab ""Crying For Love" Reviews". United Kingdom. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
^ abcdFizzy Qwick (Media notes). Fizzy Qwick. Hollywood, California: Motown Records. 1986.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ abHoldsworth, Sam, ed. (May 24, 1986). "Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 21. New York City: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 77.
^ "IT S THE LITTLE THINGS (Legal Title)". United States: BMI. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
External linksedit
Flashes music video including introduction by Tiggi Clay on YouTube
fizzy, qwick, born, february, 1953, american, singer, songwriter, recorded, various, musical, styles, ranging, from, wave, recordings, from, early, 1980s, have, become, popular, among, fans, northern, soul, since, early, 21st, century, birth, namedebravon, lew. Fizzy Qwick born February 9 1953 1 is an American singer and songwriter who has recorded in various musical styles ranging from R amp B to new wave Her recordings from the early 1980s have become popular among fans of Northern soul since the early 21st century Fizzy QwickBirth nameDebravon LewisBorn 1953 02 09 February 9 1953 age 71 Solano County California United StatesGenresR amp B new wave pop disco jazzOccupation s SingerInstrument s VocalsYears active1970s 1980s 2000sLabelsMotown Bang CBS First Experience Records Oakland Smoke Contents 1 Biography 2 Selected discography 2 1 Singles 2 1 1 As Debravon Lewis 2 1 2 Tiggi Clay lead vocalist 2 1 3 As Fizzy Qwick 2 2 Albums 2 2 1 Tiggi Clay 2 2 2 Fizzy Qwick 2 2 3 Bridge 3 Selected songwriting credits 4 References 5 External linksBiography editBorn Debravon Lewis in Solano County California United States the daughter of Edward Z October 27 1925 June 24 1997 2 3 and Ethel nee Devine Lewis she grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area 1 4 Lewis recorded under her own name either as a member of the R amp B group Bridge or as a solo artist Bridge evolved from an earlier group called Vitamin E that was produced by Norman Connors The new group was a septet that featured both teenager Derick Hughes and Lewis on vocals Lewis also contributed to the group as a songwriter 5 In the early 1980s she formed a new wave trio called Tiggi Clay allegedly named after a notorious bully who is portrayed in their initial music video For this group she adopted the colorful stage name Fizzy Qwick Her bandmates had the equally colorful names of William Billy Peaches real name Hilary Leon Thompson and Romeo Breath McCall real name De Wayne Sweet In 1983 Tiggi Clay signed with the newly formed Motown rock subsidiary Morocco The album jacket from their self titled debut showed the trio only in silhouette presumably to create a mystique and or conceal their racial identity A similar technique was used with other label artists such as white soul singer Teena Marie and Berry Gordy s son Rockwell on their initial releases In fact Rockwell s smash hit Somebody s Watching Me was peaking on the charts at the same time as Tiggi Clay s initial single Flashes entered Billboard s Hot 100 chart Unfortunately despite positive reviews from trade publications including Billboard their album was not commercially successful Two years later with the Morocco label already shut down Fizzy Qwick released a self titled solo album on the parent label It was co produced by Tiggi Clay bandmates Peaches and McCall in association with Gregg Crockett 6 Hangin Out the initial single from the album written by McCall was a significant departure from the Tiggi Clay album It had more of a pop feel somewhat reminiscent of 1960 s girl groups Billboard said the song had a lot of the spirit of the Supremes greatest The music publication selected it as a Pick of Week and went on to describe it as a class debut for the solo chanteuse 7 Unfortunately Hangin Out was unable to rise above the lower third of the R amp B charts The B side was the jazz flavored Angels in the Snow which is extremely rare because the song does not appear on the album The follow up single You Want It Your Way Always co written by Lester Abrams perhaps best known for the Doobie Brothers hit Minute by Minute had a grittier sound reminiscent of Tina Turner The latter song was also highlighted by a guitar solo by Joe Satriani 6 However it received only regional airplay and failed to make the charts In 2000 the UK based label First Experience Records released Crying for Love a CD of demo recordings of the R amp B septet Bridge These were the recordings that landed Bridge a deal at the CBS subsidiary Bang twenty years earlier Despite the unfinished quality of some of the tracks this release has become a favorite of fans of Northern soul Although the proposed album at Bang was never completed at least two of the demo tracks were recorded by other artists prior to the CD s release The song Next to Me was covered by drummer Kenneth Nash on his 1986 album Mr Ears Jean Carne and Glenn Jones recorded Sweet and Wonderful on Carne s 1981 album of the same name The latter track was co written by Fizzy Qwick under her birth name Debravon Lewis 5 Most recently she has written for female vocalist U Niq Selected discography editSingles edit As Debravon Lewis edit 1981 The Little Things That Keep Me Loving You b w I m Not That Kind of Girl Oakland Smoke 003 Tiggi Clay lead vocalist edit 1984 Flashes b w Roses for Lydia 86 Pop Morocco 1716 1984 The Winner Gets the Heart by Who Shot Zorro Morocco 1728 As Fizzy Qwick edit 1986 Hangin Out b w Angels in the Snow 71 R amp B Motown 1838 7 1986 You Want It Your Way Always b w Young Single and Tough Motown Albums edit Tiggi Clay edit 1984 Tiggi Clay Morocco 6067CL Fizzy Qwick edit 1986 Fizzy Qwick Motown 6179ML 6 Bridge edit 2000 Crying for Love First Experience Records Selected songwriting credits editSong Co Writer s Performer s Flashes De Wayne Sweet as Romeo Breath McCall Hilary Leon Thompson as William Billy Peaches Tiggi Clay It s The Little Things That Keep Me Loving You 8 Walter Richardson Harvey Scales Debravon Lewis Sweet and Wonderful Derick Hughes Michael Robinson Jean Carne featuring Glenn Jones Bridge You Can t Bring Me Down Laing Lew U Niq Young Single and Tough 6 De Wayne Sweet as Romeo Breath McCall Hilary Leon Thompson as W Billy Peaches Fizzy QwickReferences edit a b California Birth Index 1905 1995 database on line United States The Generations Network 2005 Retrieved 2009 10 06 Unknown Devine Iverson Family Reunion Edward Z Lewis Profile United States Retrieved 2009 10 06 Edward Z Lewis 2009 Social Security Death Index database on line United States The Generations Network Retrieved 2009 10 06 Katrina Smith Devine Iverson Family Reunion Katrina Smith Profile United States Retrieved 2009 10 06 a b Crying For Love Reviews United Kingdom Retrieved 2009 10 06 a b c d Fizzy Qwick Media notes Fizzy Qwick Hollywood California Motown Records 1986 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link a b Holdsworth Sam ed May 24 1986 Reviews Billboard Vol 99 no 21 New York City Billboard Publications Inc p 77 IT S THE LITTLE THINGS Legal Title United States BMI Retrieved 2009 12 09 External links editFlashes music video including introduction by Tiggi Clay on YouTube It s The Little Things recording on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fizzy Qwick amp oldid 1173278797, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
