Touch of Class (band)

Touch of Class is an American soul/R&B musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that had a number of hits in the 1970s including, "I'm in Heaven", "Don't Want No Other Lover", "You Got to Know Better", and "I Need Action".

This article is about the American singing band. For the German international band also known as ATC, see A Touch of Class (band). For other uses, see A Touch of Class.
Touch of Class
(From left to right) Gerald Jackson, Pete Jackson and Hamp Dickerson
Background information
OriginPhiladelphia, United States
GenresSoul / R&B
Years active1975–present
LabelsMidland / RCA / Atlantic
Associated actsBlue Magic, The Delfonics, Black Ivory Soul Generation
WebsiteWebsite
MembersGerald Jackson*
Pete Jackson*
Hamp Dickerson
Past membersMichael Hailstock*
Herbert Brevard*
* Original Members

History

Career

Touch of Class was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the brothers, Gerald Jackson and Pete Jackson, Herbert Brevard and Michael Hailstock. The band was active from the mid-1970s until mid-1980s. Touch of Class debut album, "I'm I Heaven" was recorded at Sigma Sound Studio in Philadelphia, with some of the musicians from Salsoul Orchestra in the session. Their debut single, which is the title track of the album was written by, brothers Melvin and Mervin Steals and produced by John Davis. "I'm In Heaven" was released in October 1975 on Midland International Records, and spent 11 weeks on the Billboard R&B Chart peaking at #65.[1] The song along with the B-side,"I Love You Pretty" written by the Jackson brothers and Hailstock.

In 1976, they released a single, "Don't Want No Other Love" written by the Steals brothers, which spent three weeks on the R&B singles chart, peaking at No. 85.[2] 1976 proved to be a big year for Pete and Gerald Jackson when Vicki Sue Robinson recorded and released a song they wrote, "Turn the Beat Around". The song topped the Billboard dance chart, and reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 [3] and No. 73 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.[4] It ranked as the 38th top song on Billboard's year-end chart.[5]

In 1977, the group released two singles, "Said It"[6] and "You Got to Know Better", both written by the Jackson brothers and produced by John Davis. "You Got to Know Better" spent eight weeks on the Billboard R&B singles chart and peaked at No. 45..[7]

By 1979, Michael Hailstock left the group to concentrate on songwriting and the band turned into a trio.[8] They released a single on a new label, Roadshow Records entitled, "I Need Action" written by the Jackson brothers and produced by them and Rafael Charres. The single spent 6 weeks on the chart and peaked at #62.

Their second album, the self-titled Touch of Class was released in 1979 and included their version of "Turn the Beat Around".

Besides their own work, the Jacksons did background vocals and studio work, mostly for Clarence Burke, Jr. of The Invisible Man's Band and The Five Stairsteps.

Touch of Class released two singles in the 1980s entitled, "Keep Dancin'" in 1984 and "Let Me Be Your Everything" in 1985. Both singles were written by the Jackson brothers and released on Atlantic Records.[9]

Recent years

In 2005, the brothers continued performing on the Classic Soul Circuit with new member Hamp Dickerson. In 2014, they released the album, Back to the Future, on Libra Brothers Music. As of 2020, Touch of Class are celebrating their 45th anniversary in the music industry.

Members

Formed in Philadelphia in 1975

  • Pete Jackson (1975–present)
  • Gerald Jackson (1975–present)
  • Michael Hailstock (1975-1979)
  • Herbert Brevard (1975-1979)
  • Hamp Dickerson (2005–present)

Discography

Albums
Year Album Record label
1975 I'm in Heaven Midland International / RCA
1979 Touch of Class Roadshow / RCA Records
1981 Love Means Everything Stack-O-Hits
2014 Back to the Future Libra Brothers Music

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions
US
R&B
1975 I'm in Heaven 65
B/W I Love You Pretty Baby —
1976 "Don't Want No Other Lover" 85
"You Got to Know Better 45
1977 Said It Before —
1979 I Need Action 62
1984 Keep Dancin' —
1985 Let Me Be Your Everything —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

References
  1. "Touch of Class Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  2. "Touch of Class Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  3. "Vicki Sue Robinson". Billboard. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 497.
  5. "Top 100 Hits of 1976/Top 100 Songs of 1976".
  6. "Touch Of Class - Said It Before". Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  7. "Touch of Class Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  8. SoulWalking.co.uk: Touch of Class biography
  9. "Touch Of Class Discography - USA - 45cat". www.45cat.com. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
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