Zapp

Zapp (also known as the Zapp Band or Zapp and Roger) is a soul and funk band formed in 1978 by brothers Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Lester Troutman, Tony Troutman and Terry "Zapp" Troutman. Known for hits such as "More Bounce to the Ounce", "Dance Floor" and "Computer Love", the group was a partial source of inspiration to West Coast hip-hop and G-funk, which came out of the hand clapped-drum beat styled funk of Zapp's records, with Roger's use of the talk box becoming another reason for the group's impact and its success.

Biography

Early career and rise to fame

The nucleus of Zapp circled around two of the five Troutman brothers: Lester and Roger. The duo of Lester and Roger started several groups including Little Roger and the Vels. Larry eventually joined his brothers when their name became Roger and the Human Body, which also included youngest brother Terry and Gregory Jackson Ohio Funk Keyboardist. Larry was then the road manager and the leader of the group in terms of all major decisions and connections.

Roger was also childhood friends with Cincinnati native Bootsy Collins, who made a pact with Roger that whoever became famous first would reach back to help the other. True to his word, Bootsy brought Roger to the attention of Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton. Bootsy introduced Roger to the public during the Parliament Motor Booty Affair tour of 1979. Bootsy and George were instrumental in securing a record deal for Roger and Zapp with Warner Brothers Records in late 1979

. Upon the release of the hit single "More Bounce to the Ounce" Roger formed a new band. The original members were: Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Lester Troutman, Terry Troutman (Zapp), Gregory Jackson, Bobby Glover, Jannetta Boyce, Sherman Fleetwood, Jerome Derrickson, Eddie Barber and Michael Warren. After creating a stage show that mesmerized audiences world wide,Roger took his show on the road opening for major acts such as Prince, the Commodores, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Ashford and Simpson, Kool and the Gang and Cameo just to name a few.

Released in the late summer of 1980, Zapp's seminal self-titled debut album became a gold-selling success peaking at the top twenty of the Billboard Top 200 and number one on the Soul album chart, thanks to the success of their leading single, the Roger composition, "More Bounce to the Ounce", which reached number two on the Hot Soul Singles chart.

Controversy

After the success of Zapp's debut album, Roger started work on a solo project that was slated to be released on George Clinton's newly formed Uncle Jam Records label. After finishing the recording, Roger was approached by Warner Bros. with an offer to release the album on their label instead of Uncle Jam, influenced by the success of the first Zapp album. Warners also offered Roger more money, which lead Roger to sell the recordings of what would eventually become "The Many Facets of Roger to Warners. This move facilitated a lawsuit involving Warner Bros, Roger Troutman, and George Clinton, which ultimately resulted in Clinton and Funkadelic leaving Warner Bros..

Continued success

Zapp's trek to fame continued within the Troutmans, who started Troutman Enterprises shortly after the Zapp album was released. Roger, who was the leader of the group and most famous for using the talk box in his recordings, was also the band's producer, chief writer, arranger, and composer. He and older brother Larry, who served as percussionist in the band's early years and later retired from music to serve as his younger brother's manager, often collaborated on songs together. Roger and Zapp worked on both group albums and albums Roger released on his own merit. Within five years, the band scored more top ten R&B; hits such as "Doo Wa Ditty", "I Can Make You Dance", "Heartbreaker", and ballads such as "Computer Love (R&B; #8)" and a cover of The Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby". Among the songs, only one of them - 1982's "Dance Floor, Part 1" - managed to hit number-one on the R&B; chart while two of Roger's solo numbers - a cover of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "I Want to Be Your Man" - hit the top spot of that chart. By 1985's New Zapp IV U, the group had scored over four gold records and had become a top concert draw all around the world.

Decline and career resurgence

By the release of Roger's solo album, 1991's Bridging the Gap, success had mostly dwindled for the group though their records were now being sampled constantly by hip-hop acts. The first of which, EPMD's "You Gots to Chill" famously sampled "More Bounce..." In 1993, Zapp scored their biggest-selling album with the 2X platinum All the Greatest Hits, which included a top forty R&B; hit with "Mega Medley" mixing the band's greatest hits and a top twenty R&B; hit "Slow and Easy" (R&B; #18). By 1996, Roger Troutman had regained success after he added his trademark talk box for 2Pac's comeback hit, "California Love". Roger was also featured in the remix to Sounds of Blackness' 1998 hit, "Hold On (A Change Is Coming)", which sampled "Doo Wa Ditty". Through it all, Zapp continued to find massive success as a concert draw, made due to the large part of Roger's leadership and gifted talents as a live performer.

Deaths of Roger and Larry Troutman

The group became temporarily defunct after the April 25, 1999, deaths of Roger and Larry Troutman. To this day, family members can give no clear motive as to why the murder-suicide committed by Larry on his younger brother happened though they agreed that the two brothers must have had a business dispute, and sources say that Larry had not slept in several days and was not in his normal state of mind at the time. It is also rumored that Roger had informed Larry that he had selected a new manager, and Larry found this information hard to take after so many years successfully carrying out this role.

Legacy

In the past two decades, the band's music had been very popular among lowrider enthusiasts and the Chicano/"Cholo" youth culture who appreciated Zapp's music. Their tracks are still being used today, without remix or any alterations and are commonly danced to by pop performers. "More Bounce To The Ounce" stands out as the most used sample in Chicano rap and West Coast rap, being sampled in countless songs.

Personnel

The

Original principal lineup

Roger Troutman: vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, harmonica, vibraphone, percussion, talk box
Larry Troutman: percussion
Lester Troutman: drums
Terry "Zapp" Troutman: keyboards, bass, background vocals

Other members

Bobby Glover
Eddie Barber
Jannetta Boyce
Robert Jones
Jerome Derrickson
Sherman Fleetwood
Robane Shavon Shormane
Gregory Jackson (Original and Current Member)Citation needed
Present lineup
Despite the murder of band-leader Roger Troutman, Zapp still continues to tour and record to this day with Terry Troutman taking over the role as the band's frontman.
- Terry "Zapp" Troutman: frontman, talk box, keyboards, synthesizer bass, background vocals
- Lester Troutman: drums
- Dale DeGroat-Musical Director: keyboards, lead vocals
- Ricardo Bray: guitar, background vocals
- Bart "Sure 2B" Thomas: talk box, guitar, background vocals
- Gregory Jackson - keyboards, lead vocals
- Thomas L. Troutman (Zapp's Son)- Electric Percussion, Keyboards, synthesizer bass, background vocals, Dancer
- Raymond Antonie Walker- Alto and Soprano Saxophone
Discography
Studio albums
- 1980: Zapp
- 1982: Zapp II
- 1983: Zapp III
- 1985: The New Zapp IV U
- 1989: Zapp Vibe
- 2002: Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand
Compilation albums
- 1993: Zapp & Roger: All The Greatest Hits
- 1996: Roger & Zapp: Greatest Hits Vol. 2 & More
Copyright Citations
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