Biography
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Years Active
1976 – present (49 years)
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Founded In
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States
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Members
- Freddie Dunn
- Gwen Dickey
- Henry Garner
- Kenji Brown
- Kenny Copeland
Rose Royce is an American soul and R&B group best known for several hit singles during the 1970s, including "Car Wash", "I Wanna Get Next to You", "I'm Going Down", "Wishing on a Star", and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore".
The group originated in Los Angeles and consisted of members Gwen Dickey (vocals), Henry Garner (drums), Terral "Terry" Santiel (congas), Lequeint "Duke" Jobe (bass), Michael Moore (saxophone), Kenny Copeland (trumpet, lead vocals), Kenji Brown (guitar, lead vocals), Freddie Dunn (trumpet), and Victor Nix (keyboards). Initially performing as Total Concept Unlimited, the band toured with Motown artist Edwin Starr in 1973, which led to their introduction to producer Norman Whitfield.
After leaving Motown, Whitfield signed the group, renamed them Magic Wand, and employed them as a studio and touring band for acts including the Undisputed Truth. During this period, Gwen Dickey was recruited as lead singer and given the stage name Rose Norwalt. The group's final name, Rose Royce, was adopted during their involvement in the soundtrack for the 1976 film "Car Wash", which Whitfield scored. The film's soundtrack marked Rose Royce's commercial breakthrough and included several successful singles. "Car Wash" topped the Billboard Hot 100, and the soundtrack earned a Grammy Award and a Best Music award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Their subsequent albums included "Rose Royce II: In Full Bloom", which featured hits like "Do Your Dance", "Ooh Boy", and "Wishing on a Star". Although the latter was only a major hit in the UK for Rose Royce, it gained popularity internationally through cover versions. The 1978 release "Rose Royce III: Strikes Again!" included the tracks "I'm in Love (And I Love the Feeling)" and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore", the latter achieving particular success in the UK and later being covered by artists such as Madonna.
In 1979, the band released "Is It Love You're After?" from the album "Rainbow Connection IV", their last with Dickey before her departure to pursue a solo career. Following her exit in 1980, the group experienced a decline in mainstream success but continued to perform, particularly in the UK. They restructured their line-up, with Ricci Benson and later Lisa Taylor taking over lead vocals.
In 2010, Rose Royce was featured on the television series Unsung, which covered the group's career and internal dynamics. Gwen Dickey, who had relocated to the UK, expressed interest in a reunion during her interview for the programme. Between 2012 and 2013, Debelah Morgan performed with the band as lead vocalist for selected shows. The group’s music has been sampled by acts such as Bag Raiders and Daft Punk.
Gwen Dickey later toured under the name Gwen Dickey's Rose Royce. In 2021 and 2022, she toured the UK and participated in the Giants of Soul Tour alongside other R&B and soul artists. In 2023, her group headlined at The London Palladium.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Royce
Studio albums
Car Wash (1976)
In Full Bloom (1977)
Strikes Again (1978)
Rainbow Connection IV (1979)
Golden Touch (1980)
Jump Street (1981)
Stronger Than Ever (1982)
Music Magic (1984)
Fresh Cut (1986)
Perfect Lover (1989)
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