Realistics Inteview

[boba]

Hi. Today on my radio show I did an interesting interview with the soul group the Realistics. The Realistics were from the west side of Gary, IN, and were classmates with the Passions and Denice Chandler at Tolleston high school. The Realistics formed in 1967 when all five original members started singing together in ROTC class. The group soon started winning Gary talent shows and playing local juke joints in Indiana. After graduation the group continued to sing and produce their own shows, touring the Indiana college circuit as well as opening up for larger groups (such as the Spinners) in Gary. In 1971 the group was discovered by Otis Leavill at a show; Otis took them to Brunswick records. The group eventually signed with the label in 1972. By the time the group signed to Brunswick, the Realistics had gone down to four members -- the bass singer left, leaving the group with a more 70s-styled, falsetto harmony.

In 1973 the group released their first single, "You're my sweet chocolate drops" b/w "How can I forget you". The record had an excellent philly-inspired falsetto harmony sound, and it got local airplay in Chicago and Gary. In 1974, the group released their second single, "I think I'll cry out loud" b/w "You and me". Despite also being another nice 70s falsetto sound, the track did not receive significant airplay. The group also did some background session work, singing behind Robert Dobyne (of the Artistics) on his solo record "Spent a lot of years loving you" as well as backing local Chicago artist Jean Shy. Due to a lack of promotion at Brunswick (which was filled with many talented artists that did not get a chance), the group broke up in the mid-70s. Brunwick released a longer, version of "How can I forget you" in 1977 on a 12" disco single.

You can check out the interview on my webpage:

https://www.sittinginthepark.com/interviews.html

thanks,

Bob

Edited November 10, 2008 by boba

[Guest Hunnymon]

Thanks for posting up the interview Bob.

Back in 74/75 a group called The Realistics were the subject of a TV program over here in the UK.

I seem to think I remember that they were from the USA and the program was about a couple of shows The Realistics performed in different parts of Ireland.

I always thought this was the same group but with the group saying that they never toured outside the states it can't have been them after all.

[boba]

Thanks for posting up the interview Bob.

Back in 74/75 a group called The Realistics were the subject of a TV program over here in the UK.

I seem to think I remember that they were from the USA and the program was about a couple of shows The Realistics performed in different parts of Ireland.

I always thought this was the same group but with the group saying that they never toured outside the states it can't have been them after all.

There was a realistics that only cut 45s on UK labels (I think Epic records)? I think that's the group you're talking about. There was also the (ohio) sensations that had their cut 'please baby please' rereleased as the realistics on delite (where it became a hit the second time around). There was also the loma group. All unconnected as far as I know. Thanks for listening.