Zapp (band)
Zapp (also known as the Zapp Band, Zapp & Roger) is an American funk band that emerged from Dayton, Ohio, United States, in 1977. Particularly influential in the electro subgenre of funk, Zapp were known for their trademark use of the talk-box effect. The original line-up consisted of four Troutman brothers—frontman Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry—first cousin, Sherman Fleetwood—and non-Troutman family members Bobby Glover, Gregory Jackson, Jerome Derrickson, Eddie Barber, Jannetta Boyce and Shirley Murdock. Zapp also worked closely with George Clinton and Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic during its early stages, their support being a factor in the group gaining a record deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1979.
For the band's eponymous debut album, see Zapp (album).
Zapp
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
1977–1999, 2003–present (reunion only)
Warner Bros. (1980–2000)
Zapp Town Records (2003–present)
Lester Troutman
Terry "Zapp" Troutman
Gregory Jackson
Bobby Glover
Roger Troutman
Larry Troutman
Thomas Troutman
Roger Troutman Jr.
Michael "Slyde" Jennings
Zapp released its eponymous debut album in 1980, and achieved mainstream recognition with the single "More Bounce to the Ounce". The group's 1982 follow-up Zapp II sold well and was certified gold. In the 1990s, Zapp would also influence the G-funk sound and the broader cultural scene of West Coast hip-hop itself. The band disbanded in 1999 after Roger and Larry Troutman died in an apparent murder-suicide executed by Larry. Zapp reformed briefly in 2003 with the remaining brothers of the Troutman family to produce the album Zapp VI: Back By Popular Demand.
Career[edit]
1966–1980: Early career and major record deal[edit]
Born on November 29, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio,[2] Roger Troutman began recording music in the mid to late 1960s, issuing his first solo recording efforts "Jolly Roger" and "Night Time"[3] on the obscure and now defunct Ohio label, Teen Records[4] in 1966 under the band name 'Lil' Roger and His Fabulous Vels.[5] Although neither song received recognition due to its very limited release, Troutman and brothers pursued their music career throughout the 1970s, forming Roger & The Human Body in 1976, on their privately owned label Troutman Bros. Records.[6] Their own label allowed Troutman and the band to give a slightly wider and more high-profile release of their own music, issuing their first (and only) album Introducing Roger in 1976.[7]