Anyone who enjoyed the music of the 1990s will remember the familiar line, “I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak, I lose all control and something takes over me… I can’t explain why your loving makes me weak.”
The passionate and distinct vocals of Cheryl “Coko” Gamble-Clemons, Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, and Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George – known to millions by their collective name of SWV, or Sisters With Voices – is an unforgettable soundtrack to anyone who grew up listening to the smooth R&B strains of the 1990s. “Weak,” in particular, was the ballad that rocketed SWV to international superstardom, peaking at #1 for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard R&B charts.
In addition to “Weak,” SWV logged in several other Top 10 singles off its debut CD, “It’s About Time,” which eventually sold more than three million copies, and was certified triple platinum. Debut single “Right Here” peaked at #16 on the Billboard R&B charts; it was later remixed after the success of “Weak,” sampling Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” and peaking at #1 on the R&B chart and at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sophomore single, “I’m So Into You,” peaked at #2 on the R&B charts at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two other singles, “Downtown” and “Always On My Mind,” were also Top 10 hits on the R&B charts. SWV logged in several other Top 10 hits on the R&B and Hot 100 charts, including “Anything” (1994), “You’re the One” (1996).
The success of the ladies of SWV extends to more than just pop and R&B music. Gamble-Clemmons, for instance, released a solo R&B CD, “Hot Coko,” which yielded the Top 40 R&B hit, “Sunshine”; she would go on to release a gospel CD, “Grateful,” that would debut on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. Johnson-George, on the other hand, would achieve mainstream stardom as a contestant on CBS’ wildly successful television show, “Survivor.” She finished fourth on the “Survivor: Tocantins” season.
Next month, SWV’s trademark harmonies and smooth, R&B vibe will be heard at the SM Mall of Asia as part of the mega-concert “Then and Now” on May 15. Joining SWV are other chart-topping artists of the 1990s, including PM Dawn (“Set Adrift On Memory Bliss, #1, Billboard Hot 100), Frankie J (“Obsession,” #3, Billboard Hot 100), Diana King (“Shy Guy, #13, Billboard Hot 100), Baby Bash ( “Suga Suga,” #7, Billboard Hot 100), and other surprise performers. “Then and Now” starts at 8:00pm at the Mall of Asia’s Concert Grounds. Tickets are available at all TicketNet and TicketWorld outlets. For more information, visit http://www.thenandnowconcert.com.
