Saturday Songsausion on CAAC presents Five Stairsteps
I heard today’s musical talent on SiriusXM. It was the name of the group that spurred my curiosity. The volume was muted and didn’t recognize the song title. On YouTube, I found a playlist by the band. The first song on the list was the one on the radio that I couldn’t hear but instantly knew it.
The Five Stairsteps are known as the first family of soul originated in Chicago, Illinois. When I say family, I really mean this was a family act with mom, dad, and their six children. The song they are best known for is the song playing that day on the radio, “O-o-h Child”. The song came out in 1970 peaking #8 on the Pop Singles chart. Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Songs of All Times at #402.
According to Wiki the Five Stairsteps act came to an end in the late 70s. In ’78, Clarence Jr teamed up with New York producer to form the Invisible Man’s Band. The new group was made up of Clarence Jr and his brothers: Keni, James, and Dennis along with keyboardist Dean Grant and drummer Steve Ferrone. The IVB released two albums 1980 self-titled and in 1981 Really Wanna See You. All Night Thing is the only song that did well for the group, reaching #9 on the R&B singles chart . Here they are on Soul Train perform their hit song. I barely remember it.
That’s it for this Saturday. Tomorrow, I’ll be back with Monday’s Music Moves Me on Sunday boogieing to bird themed songs or bird named bands/artists and I’m saving a dance for you, so come join me on the dance floor. 
Have a songsational Saturday! x💋x💋, Cathy
6 Comments
Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden)
O-o-h Child was a favorite song back in the day. I was not at all familiar with “All Night Thing” and not only did I groove to that song, but I so enjoyed the video put together with the Soul Train dances and various artists of the day performing (including the young Prince). That video and song were so much time. Thank you for jump starting my day.
messymimi's meanderings
Talk about a talented family! All of my kids took piano and have some talent, but there’s no way we’d be that much of a musical family.
Brian
I had that record too. I always wondered, when I looked at the cover, why it wasn’t the seven stair steps.
John Holton
I had this record! wish I knew what happened to it…
-Eugi ☕️
What a boogietastic Saturday, Cathy! I love looking at the clothes from this era!
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy Saturday, dear friend!
I was in dire need of some Songsuasion and found it right here at CAAC. Thank you for shining the spotlight on “The First Family of Soul” – the Chicago based Five Stairsteps, a group I remember well, primarily for their signature song “O-o-h Child,” a crossover hit in the summer of 1970. Crossover is the operative word, because “O-o-h Child” performed better on the pop chart (#4 Cash Box/#8 Hot 100) than on the Black Singles chart (#14). It is also interesting that “O-o-h Child” was first released as the B side of “Dear Prudence,” a Beatles cover done by the group. When it dawned on the decision makers that the flip side, “O-o-h Child,” was the song getting all the attention, it was reissued as the A side of a single.
Track #1 in your set, “You Waited Too Long,” is a treasure. It’s the group’s first single, released in 1966, four years before they broke through with “O-o-h Child.” The style of lead singer Clarence Burke Jr. reveals the heavy influence of Chicago soul titan Curtis Mayfield. Mayfield was involved as a writer and/or producer on many of the recordings of The Five Stairsteps, several of which are in your song block. I will list some, probably not all of the sides that benefited from the involvement of Mayfield. Curtis composed “Don’t Waste Your Time” the B side of that first single “You Waited Too Long,” as well as “Behind Curtains,” the B side of “Danger! She’s A Stranger,” a single released at the end of 1966. Mayfield produced both songs on the group’s next single released in March, 1967: “Ain’t Gonna Rest (Till I Get You)” b/w “You Can’t See,” in addition to their May 1967 single: a cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Oooh, Baby Baby” b/w “The Girl I Love” and their July 1967 single: “The Touch Of You” b/w “Change Of Pace.” Mayfield wrote and produced the A side of their August 1968 release: “Don’t Change Your Love” and both songs on their next four singles: the October 1968 release “Stay Close To Me” b/w “I Made A Mistake,” their January 1969 record: “Baby Make Me Feel So Good” b/w “Little Young Lover,” the latter a great song recorded by The Impressions early in their career, the July 1969 single: “Madame Mary” b/w “Little Boy Blue” and the September 1969 single: “We Must Be In Love” once again backed by The Impressions’ song “Little Young Lover.”
I am ashamed to admit that, before today’s Songsuasion, I didn’t know any of these other Five Stairsteps songs apart from their biggest hit “O-o-h Child.” I got a real education this morning and thoroughly enjoyed their smooth Curtis Mayfield influenced soul sound. I vaguely recall The Invisible Man Band, and I definitely like their song “All Night Thing” which to me reveals a strong Earth, Wind & Fire influence.
Thank you for all this great mewsic, dear friend Cathy, and have a wonderful weekend!