Midnight Star

Midnight Star was a synth-funk group that had a string of R&B hits in the '80s.

The group was formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University by the Calloway brothers (trumpeter Reginald, and trombone player Vincent), with vocalist Belinda Lipscomb. Signing to RCA Records, they released their first album, The Beginning in 1980, with a host of studio musicians. In 1982, they moved to SOLAR Records, and releasing a second album, Victory now with a real band behind them (guitarist Melvin Gentry, bassist Kenneth Gant, drummer Bobby Lovelace, multi-instrumentalist Bill Simmons and keyboard player Bo Watson).

Due to the Calloways' production skills, it didn't take long for Midnight Star to connect with black listeners, hitting the R&B charts with early singles like "Hot Spot" and "I've Been Watching You." Their third album, No Parking on the Dance Floor released in 1983, took them to the top of the charts with the first single, "Freak-A-Zoid," which went to number two, and propelled the album to platinum status. Their next album, Planetary Invasion was almost as big, going platinum again and making the pop Top 20 and the number one spot on the R&B charts with its first single, "Operator."

In 1986, they came out with their fifth album, Headlines, which was their third album to sell at least gold. It was to be their last, as the Calloways departed in 1988. Without their vision to guide them, Midnight Star floundered, and after two unsuccessful albums, Midnight Star and Work It Out, the group was no more.