Hamilton Bohannon's Biography

Hamilton Frederick Bohannon was an American drummer, composer, record producer, band leader and arranger. Born in Newnan, Georgia, on March 7, 1942, he learned to play the drums in school and began playing in local bands, one of which included guitarist Jimi Hendrix. After graduating from Clark Atlanta University with a degree in music, he worked as a teacher for a short time.

In 1964 he became the drummer in thirteen-year-old Stevie Wonder's touring band. In 1967 he moved to Detroit, where he was hired by Motown as the leader and arranger of "Bohannon & The Motown Sound", providing backing for many of the label's top touring artists, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops and more.

In 1972, Hamilton Bohannon signed with the "Dakar" label and in early 1973 released his debut album, "Stop & Go". His first hit single, in 1974, was "South African Man," which peaked at No. 78 on the Billboard R&B chart. However, it achieved greater success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 22 in the singles chart. This was followed in 1975 by "Foot Stompin' Music", his only song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and "Disco Stomp", his biggest hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 6.

In 1976, Bohannon signed with Mercury Records and two years later had one of his biggest hits with "Let's Start the Dance," which peaked at No. 9 on the R&B chart and No. 7 on the disco chart. "Let's Start the Dance" featured singer Carolyn Crawford.

Hamilton Bohannon died on April 24, 2020, at his home in Atlanta, at the age of 78.

Discography :

Album

1973 - Stop & Go

1974 - Keep On Dancin'

1975 - Insides Out

1975 - Bohannon

1976 - Dance Your Ass Off

1976 - Gettin' Off

1977 - Phase II

1977 - On My Way

1978 - Summertime Groove