GQ

GQ is a late-1970s New York disco and R&B group from The Bronx, United States. The group is active from 1978 and is associated with disco, funk, and R&B, with a sound that mixes East Coast disco and Chicago soul covers.

Origins and line-up

The group begins as Sabu & the Survivors in 1968 before adopting the name GQ. Its original members are lead vocalist Emanuel Rahiem LeBlanc, Keith Crier, Herb Lane, and Paul Service. By 1980, the group is a trio after Service leaves.

Hits and recordings

GQ has two Top 10 R&B hits and two Top 20 pop hits, along with a number one R&B single in 1979. “Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)” reaches number 12 on the pop chart and wins the group an American Music Award. Their versions of Billy Stewart songs also chart strongly: “I Do Love You” reaches number five on the R&B chart and number 20 on the pop chart in 1979, while “Sitting in the Park” reaches number nine R&B in 1980. Another Top 30 R&B single follows in 1981 with “Shake.”

Label

All of the group’s hits are released on Arista between 1979 and 1982.