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| EDDIE DRENNON |
| Washington, D.C. native Eddie Drennon had become a club fixture for local and touring bands in his hometown after gradutaing school. Afro-Caribbean bandleader, Lou Perez, "discovered" Drennon while appearing in D.C. With his encouragement Eddie relocated to New York in the early 1960's. Once in New York Drennon quickly became ensconced in the latin/jazz communities and began doing studio work. During the early to mid 1960's he worked with and performed on recordings by such greats as:Pupi Legarreta, Don Ganzalo Fernandez's Super Tipica De Estrellas, Tipica Ideal and Charanga America. His expert arranging skills coupled with his talent for the violin brought him to the ears of Bo Diddley. Diddley hired Drennon as his musical director and he toured with Bo in 1966-67. After that he went on to arrange, direct and tour with such artists as Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto and Ike and Tina Turner from the late 1960's till the mid-1970's. In the mid-1970's Eddie met producer Joe Bana. Bana, a money man with connections, would play an important role in Eddie's career and have a tremendous impact on disco music in general. Bana was owner of Friends & Co. Records and it was through that label that Eddie had his first release. In 1975 Eddie, along with the rest of America, was taken with Van McCoy's "The Hustle." Drennon took his cue from the number one hit and added his own slant to the emerging dance craze. Released as a 7" single in late 1975, "Let's Do The Latin Hustle," quickly shot up the latin and club charts and would be the first hit for Friends & Co. and Drennon. The label, along with Bana and Drennon, was also adding it's magic to recordings by Manhattan Express and Esther Williams as well. The regional success of the single prompted Friends & Co. to issue "Latin Hustle" on a 12" single to placate jocks and further its sales. A second 7" single was issued in early 1976. "Do It Nice & Easy" was another latin-tinged hustle/bump number. Friends & Co. decided not to issue a 12" single but released Eddie's first album instead, a ploy often used by record companys to manipulate the consumer's buying habits. The album. "Collage," featured both singles and a host of well executed disco tracks that received major club play. The album, as with most Friends & Co. releases, is extremely rare and fetches huge prices when available. By 1977 the major labels were beginning to cash in on the new fad of disco music. As the major labels began issuing more and more product it began forcing the smaller labels out of business. Friends & Co. suffered from poor distribution and, though it would hang on for a few more years, Drennon decided to switch his next release to the premier disco label Casablanca. His 1977 release, "Would You Dance To My Music," was one of the best albums of the year. Quality writing, arranging and producing By Drennon, coupled with "A Tom Moulton Mix" and the vocals of the "Sweethearts Of Sigma Sound" made it one of the most played albums in the clubs. The title track, "Come Dance With Me " and "Save Your Love For Me" remain my favorites. Oddly enough Casablanca didn't release any 12" singles from the album, which would have no doubt helped it's sales. His third and final album was 1978's "It Don't Mean A Thing." The album marked the departure of B.B.S. Unlimted, his backing band since the beginning. Along with the change in musicians came the change of vocalists, Saundra Winfield and Sheila Adams did all the singing this time. Also he chose to record this set in N.Y. and gave the mixing chores to Pat Jacques. No matter what the album was yet another masterpiece of well-done disco. I clearly recall dancing many nights to the title track and to "Disco Jam." And despite Casablanca's error in releasing a 12" single the album sold quite well. For whatever reasons no further solo recordings have been issued by Eddie. Drennon did continue in the music business, mostly as a violinist, but also in arranging and conducting. Throughout the 1980's and 1990's he lent his magnificent talents to Orquesta Broadway, Johnny Pacheco & Jose Fajardo, Orquesta Novel, Lalo Rodriquez, La Lupe and Fania All-Stars among others. In the 1990's he also turned to teaching at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Howard University. And did a stint as Music Director, at the Everyday Theater. He now is part of the faculty of the Levine Schools Of Music teaching a new generation of students the joys of his beloved violin. We thank Eddie for his contributions to the disco world both as a musician and producer. We hope he is happy and healthy and wish him to know that he is not forgotten. Thanks! |
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