The Michael Zager Band's Biography (band)

"The Michael Zager Band" was an American musical project founded in 1977 by the multi-talented singer-songwriter, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor Michael Zager (born January 3, 1943). Alvin Fields contributed lyrics and provided male vocals on nearly all songs. Zager began his musical career as a member of the jazz rock band "Ten Wheel Drive" from 1968 to 1973, later earning degrees from the University of Miami and Mannes College of Music. In 1976, together with Jerry Love, he formed the "Michael Zager Moon's Band". A year later, Zager signed a record deal with "Private Stock Records" and changed the band's name to "The Michael Zager Band". Their debut single, titled "Let's All Chant", was released in December 1977 and achieved surprising success. On February 18, 1978, the song reached the top of the disco charts in the United States, subsequently climbing the soul charts to number fifteen and reaching number thirty-six on the Billboard Hot 100.

In Canada, the single reached number two on the charts, ranking behind Cerrone's "Supernature". In Europe, "Let's All Chant" reached the Top 10 in several countries, including the United Kingdom (8), Ireland (8), the Netherlands (4), Switzerland (4), Belgium (2) , France (5) and Italy (2). Both tracks, "Let's All Chant" and the single's B-side, "Love Express", were recorded at Secret Sound Studios in Manhattan. With over five million copies sold worldwide, "Let's All Chant" remains one of the best-selling singles of the 1970s. It was also certified gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). In 1980, Deniece Williams collaborated with The Michael Zager Band on the song "Time Heals Every Wound". Later, Michael Zager discovered Whitney Houston at the age of 14. Whitney then performed a duet with her mother, Cissy Houston, on the song "Life's A Party." The album of the same name, produced by Michael Zager, was recorded in the United States (side A) and Europe (side B).

Discography :

Album

1978 - Let's All Chant

1978 - Life's A Party

1980 - Zager

Singles

1977 - Let's All Chant / Love Express

1978 - You Don't Know A Good Thing

1978 - Life's A Party

1978 - Love, Love, Love

1978 - Soul To Soul

1978 - Disco Fever