Cameo--Word Up (1986)

     Cameo started out in the mid-70's as a funk outfit that was crafted with the dance floor in mind. Originally a 13 piece band called The New York City Express, the name was changed to Cameo so as to not cause confusion with the band Ohio Players who were big at the time. The group's sound proved popular, and their debut album, "Cardiac Arrest" in 1977 reached the top 20 albums R & B charts. More albums came with success on the R&B and hot 100 albums chart, but it wasn't until 1984 that the single "She's Strange" hit the top 50 singles, and they began to reach a wider audience.
     Word Up" came out in the fall of 1986, and reached #6 and became their biggest hit. The released material pretty much dried up by the end of the decade, but many of the members have had successful careers in music and still will occasionally meet up to perform.