Zapp
Biography
One of the most underrated funk groups of the 1980s, Zapp revolutionized the computer pop of electro with their trademark vocoder talk boxes and bumping grooves, emulating the earthier side of Prince and Cameo, with a leader in Roger Troutman who was more than efficient at polished production. The family group, with brothers Roger, Lester, Larry, and Tony Troutman, grew up in Hamilton, OH, influenced by hometown heroes the Ohio Players as well as Parliament and other funk groups. Tony was the first to begin recording, with an obscure single for Gram-O-Phon Records, "I Truly Love You," which scraped the R&B charts in 1976. Joined by his brothers (with Roger on vocals and guitar, Lester on drums, Larry on percussion, and himself contributing bass) and christened Zapp, the group played around the Midwest and gradually picked up backing vocalists (Bobby Glover, Jannetta Boyce), keyboard players (Greg Jackson, Sherman Fleetwood) and a horn section (Eddie Barber, Jerome Derrickson, Mike Warren).
Zapp's following quickly gained notices, and Bootsy Collins himself was hired on to work with the group on their debut album. Released in 1980, Zapp hit the Top 20 on the pop charts, thanks to the single "More Bounce to the Ounce.
Selected Discography
Great music family had to end in tragedy with Larry shooting and killing his brother Roger then turning the gun on his self Wow !
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Some of the best music of my entire life was with Zapp booming out of the speakers. Good times indeed.
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If you pay attention to artist like Kanye, Cee-lo, Common, Keitie Young, Van Hunt, Black Eyed Peas(especia l l y BEP), you can hear music from the 70's 80's with the keyboards. Yeah the keyboard is back in a big way. Those ugly 80's clothes have even come back. I hated the 80's clothes when I was a kid, everything had shoulder pads..lol
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why cant the new rappers have talent like the zappers? i grew up with this music and i still love hearing it to this day!! never dies out
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i love this music on the speakers that i got ungh! so phat on the drop. it moves the foundation on my house .
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ahhhhh SHUCKS.....t h i s is the Jam.......HE Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ! !
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DAMN DOES THIS BRING BACK SOME FINE -SS MEMORIES FOR ME .....I LOVED ZAPP THEN NOW AND FOREVER... ALWAYZ OL' SCHOOL4 LIFE!!!!!!!!
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this group was bad azz hell my swag love this shyt!I WANNA LOVE U BABY!WE MISS U STEP S.!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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This group reminds me of my childhood. I had so much fun dancing with my friends to Doo Waa Ditty and Grapevine! I also remember my mom and her friends playing cards with Zapp playing in the background. Wow, good times.
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Disco queen to the end. Other than Disco & Funk what other music makes you feel the way this does
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YOU TALKING ABOUT funkKKKKKKKK K , o f f the freaking hoccccck,go ZAPPPPPPPPP, F O R E V E R THE FUNK.
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I've always loved Roger and Zapp! They will make you dance and bounce to the ounce!!---BT E E E !
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Man I wish I had been around for this stuff. I hope Roger and Larry are getting funked up wherever they are.
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Roger Troutman you made your mark and left us too soon. Heaven rejoyced at your arrival!
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WHAT, WHAT!! THESE GENTALMEN SPAWNED A SH!TLOAD OF GROUPS & STYLES!!!!
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John Bush fails to mention the the group actually started as "Roger and the Human Body," with a song called "Freedom."
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Snoopy d.o double g has sampled many a Zapp track. Can anybody say 'skating rink' jams?
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