The Dramactics - "In The Rain" (1972) Tribute

The Dramatics (formerly The Dynamics) were an American soul music vocal group, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1967. They are best known for their 1970s hit songs "In the Rain" and "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get", both of which were #1 R&B and Top 10 Pop hits.

The Dramatics originally formed in 1962 as The Dramatics . They were never known as the Dynamics , when they garnered their first minor hit single, "All Because of You." The Dramatics signed to Stax-Volt Records in 1968. However, the group did not break through until their 1971 single, "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get," which broke into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #9. Their first million selling disc "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" was awarded gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. in December 1971.

Their members at this time were Ron Banks (who died of a heart attack on March 4, 2010 at age 58), William "Wee Gee" Howard (who died of a heart attack on February 22, 2000 at age 49), Elbert Wilkins (who died of a heart attack on December 13, 1992 at age 45), Willie Ford, Larry Demps and keyboardist James Mack Brown (who died on November 28, 2008 at age 58). Shortly after the success of their first album, Howard and Wilkins left the group. They were replaced by L.J. Reynolds and Leonard "Lenny" Mayes. Through the 1970s, the group appeared on Soul Train and continued to have hits, including the #1 R&B hit, "In the Rain", "Toast to the Fool", "Me and Mrs. Jones" (originally by Billy Paul), "I'm Going By The Stars In Your Eyes" and "Be My Girl." "In the Rain" also sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.

In the meantime, Howard and Wilkins formed a Dramatics splinter group, and came up with a minor R&B hit, "No Rebate on Love." To distinguish themselves from this group, the core group temporarily dubbed themselves 'Ron Banks and The Dramatics'. Howard eventually returned to the group for two albums, Somewhere in Time: A Dramatic Reunion and Positive State Of Mind, before departing again.

The Dramatics also were guests on the Snoop Doggy Dogg song, "Doggy Dogg World". The song appeared on Snoop's 1993 debut album, Doggystyle.In 2002 The Dramatics appeared on Snoop Dogg's sixth studio album "Paid tha cost to be tha boss" on the song "Ballin'" produced by Battlecat.

The group continues to tour and presently consists of Reynolds, Ford, Winzell Kelly and Michael Brock, who replaced Mayes (who died of lung cancer on November 8, 2004 at age 53).

The Dramatics were also mentioned in the novel The Algiers Motel Incident by John Hersey. They were staying at the Algiers Motel, following a performance at Detroit's Fox Theatre, during an alleged murder by members of the Detroit Police Department, which was one of the incidents which sparked the Detroit Riots of 1967.

The Dramatics "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" appeared in the 2005 documentary Sunday Driver, as well as the movies, Wattstax and Darktown Strutters, and the 2007 Petey Greene biopic, Talk To Me.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The
• Dramatics
• In
• Rain
• 1972
• soul
• Detroit
• group
• singer
• entertainer
• R&B
• TheBacmaster
• Music
• Videos

[music4ify2]

awesome

[weejoeshadows]

nice song and video joe my friend thanks for this respect from joe

[MsPreciousParrot]

Thanks, Joe - for another beautiful contribution for all of us to love. A very dear andclose friend of mine passed away recently and I remember us singing this in the car together so many times. I miss him so, so much --- I can hardly control my tears.

Aside from the sadness, I appreciate your good work. Your videos are always the best!

[anitashelby]

Such A Great Song & Vid!!!!!..Thankyou Joe...Anita..:)

[TheKennyKennyKenny]

great song, great video!!!!

[TheKennyKennyKenny]

great song, great video!!!!

[bze2nlz4]

Great song...saved to my playlist.

[flipside1545]

fantastic joe...right to my faves buddy!!!