Vocalists

Jacques Fred Petrus worked with a lot of great vocalists. This list presents all known vocalist based on the information found on the covers. Macho's 1980 cover does not point out the musical co-workers therefore it's not a complete list. Nonetheless the list gives a valuable and extensive knowledge of how many they actually were.

The information for each vocalist includes full artist name, lead or Background vocalist appearances and additional information like interviews and links to official or any other website of great importance.

By vocalist means both solo, lead- and background performances.

Did you work for Petrus or know any other vocalist that did so, please feel free to send an e-mail to:

Vocalists (in alphabetic order)	Photo (if available)
Agee, Tawatha
Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82) More info: - Much sought after vocalist with an extrodinary sensual voice that are best known for being a former member of soul funk band Mtume until they vanished in 86. She has also worked with such great acts like Roy Ayers, Phyllis Hyman and more recently Celine Dion. In 87 she released her solo album "Welcome to my dream" that was produced by James Mtume and very much backed-up by former Mtume members and musicians. To a certain degree the album can even be be seen as the seventh Mtume album due to the closeness to them on literally every level. Despite a few good tracks and some commercial success she never came up with a second one.
Allen, Marcella
Background vocalist Appears on: High fashion (83) More info: - Did work as background vocalist with jazz artists like Lonnie Liston Smith and Hannibal & the sunrise orchestra before High fashion. During the 90s she did the same job on the obscure album of Cooly live in 93.	No picture available
Allen, Timmy
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82 and 83), Change (82 and 85) and High fashion (83) More info: - Former Der Kinky fox member before his engagemets with Petrus. Allen played a prominent role and had great deal of influence over Petrus. He was influential in shaping the touring band for Change and B. B. & Q. band and even played a later role as song selector on a number of album projects for Little Macho Music. After the time with Petrus he even more developed his skills as a succesful producer and produced artists like Britney Spears and Backstreet boys during the 90s.
Ballou, Phillip
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) More info: - Born in Pittsburgh 1950. Former member of Revelation in the 70s Ballou later toured as background singer for Luther Vandross among others. Sadly though he died due to a stroke on the 19th of March 2005.
Bass, Sandi
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (80) More info: - Married to Jacob Wheeler of PJB. Successful model both before and even more after PJB. Today she's a talent/model scout in L.A. The picture show her in that profession today.
Beatty, Ethel
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) More info: - Was during the 70s involved in at least one Broadway show. Released her debut single in 81 called "I know you care" that was produced by Roy Ayers on his own label Uno melodic records before disappearing into obscurity.
Bernfeld, Tom
Background vocalist Appears on: Silence (82) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Brennan, Rick
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (83, 84 and 85) More info: - N/A
Brown, Jocelyn
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (80, 81, 82 and 83) and Revanche (79) More info: - One of the most appreciated vocalist in black music that been involved in an incredible amount of projects for almost thirtee years. She has been a member of the obscure female studio project Musique and classic disco band Inner life and scored with them big hits. In 84 she embarked on a solo career that included the funky dance hit "Somebody else's guy". Brown has always been curious about the latest and hottest and never been afraid of get-into-it! She was for a shorter period of time married Shaw and therfore credited with that name on various recording like Change's debut in 80 but retook her old name in 81 and has ever since used that name.
Burgess, Leroy
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82), Change (80 and 82) and Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - www.leroyburgess.com (official site) A classic name in 70s and 80s disco/boogie.
Byron, David I
Background vocalist Appears on: Silence (82) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Calvert, Ann
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - Wrote the French lyrics of the track "Never ending story" originally appearing in the blockbuster movie with the same name in 84.	No picture available
Clark, Robin
Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (81), Change (82) and Silence (82) More info: - This versitile and much in demand vocalist worked before the engagments with Petrus with such great acts like David Bowie, Chic and George Benson and after with equally great names like Luther Vandross, Bonnie Tyler and once again David Bowie. Clark did also release a solo album entitled "Surrender" in 84.
Cobbs, Michelle
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) and Zinc (83) More info: - Once again a very in demand vocalist with a career spanning over three decades. She has worked with big names like Diana Ross, Chic, Luther Vandross, Kashif and Melba Moore.	No picture available
Cole, Debbie
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) More info: - Was quite new when Petrus hired her in 82 but has later on worked as vocalist for Kleeer, Don Johnson, Vanessa Williams and La Toya Jackson.	No picture available
Collins, Dennis
Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82), Change (81) and Macho (III) (1984) More info: - Sought after vocalist that worked with Inner life, Pieces of a dream, Diana Ross and Tom Jones among others.
Cope, Lala
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (80) More info: - Scheduled for the 1981 BB&Q band tour, but Petrus terminated her before the tour began
Cooper, Deborah
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82, 83, 84 and 85) More info: - Worked with Fatback before she became a member of Change and has later worked with a huge array of artists like Tom Jones, C+C music factory and Amber. In 2003 she released her debut album "Real love".
Corley, Robin
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Revanche (79) and Rudy (79) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Cox, Peter
Background vocalist Appears on: Macho (III) (1984) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Daniels, Steve
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (83), Revanche (79), Rudy (79) and Zinc (82) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Davis, Krystal
Background vocalist Appears on: Rudy (79) More info: - Active as background singer from the late 70s to early 90s besides delivering her own one and only single "So smooth" in 84.	No picture available
Diggs, Benny
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (81) and B. B. & Q. band (82) More info: - Former member of Revelation during the 70s that until today been a well apprecitad vocalist, songwriter and producer.	No picture available
Douglas, Bobby
Solo and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (81 and 82), Change (83 and 84), High fashion (83), Revanche (79), Rudy (79) and Zinc (82) More info: - Did after the time with Petrus groups work with Melba Moore, Keith Sweat and George Benson among others. Check out the interview
Duggan, Lavelle
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - Did later work with French jazz.	No picture available
Fischer, Lisa
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (83) More info: - Worked as vocalist with great acts like D-train, Kool and the gang and Bob James.
Floyd, Ike
Lead vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (81) More info: - N/A
Gaha, Sammy
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - A French vocalist that during the 70s released funky music primarily under the name of "Little Sammy Gaha".
Geller, Sara
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Gray, Diva
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (81), B. B. & Q. band (81), High fashion (82) and Silence (82) More info: - Highly used vocalist for more than thirtee years that worked with artists like Chic and George Benson etc. She released her debut album in 79 titled "Hotel paradise" without any commercial success.
Grody, Gordon
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (81), B. B. & Q. band (81 and 82), High fashion (82), Macho (80), Silence (82 and 84) and Zinc (82) More info: - Highly skilled and well-used vocalist. Gordon released a couple of albums in the late 70s and has worked with such great acts like Phyllis Hymam Jeff Tyzik and Michael Jackson before joining as one of the most powerful and impressive voices on the projects of Petrus. He participated on several albums in 1981 and 1982, then leaving, but did a short guestplay on the obscure Silence 2 album in 1984. Later on he played a role as producer but most of as a successful vocal coach for several great acts like Alicia Keys.
Hairston, Curtis
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (85) More info: - Born in 1961 in a very religious enviroment that had great impact on his entire life Curtis released his awesome and classic debut single "I want you (all tonight)" in 83. But it wasn't until 86 he came up with his debut album after a fine role as lead vocalist on B. B. & Q. bands 85 album. The self titled debut album had much in common with the BB sound and included a couple of strong dance tracks accompanied by Hairston's passionate and dedicated song effort. Unfortunately Hairston died way to early in 1996.
Harris, Hilda
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - A classic and very versatile singer with a career spanning over almost forty years not to be confusd with the mezzo soprano at the Metropolitan opera with the same name. She has worked with great names like Frank Sinatra, James Brown and Quincy Jones to just mention a few.
Ingram, Elisha "Skipp"
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Revanche (79) and Rudy (79) More info: - Former member of the ultra rare group "Plantinum hook" that released three albums in 78, 79 and 83.	No picture available
Kemp, Johnny
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82), B. B. & Q. band (82) and Macho (III) (1984) More info: - Born i Bahamas and raised in NYC. Kemp is a former Der Kinky fox member before his engagemets with Petrus started in 81. Released his debut soloalbum in 86 including the minor hit "Just another lover" that was penned by Kashif.
LaFalce, Larry
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) and B. B. & Q. band (83) More info: - Competent bass guitar player, vocalist and songwriter in different genres from R&B and disco to rock.	No picture available
Lewis, Terry
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (84) More info: - www.flytetyme.com (official site) Later one of the most regarded producer, instrumentalists and songwriters in black music.
Lewis, Yvonne
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Revanche (79) and Rudy (79) More info: - For over thirtee years the beatiful Lewis has been a top vocalist working with great acts like Roberta Flack, Melba Moore and Luther Vandross. In 95 she released her debut album "No strangers in paradise".
McClinton, Eric
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (83), B. B. & Q. band (82 and 83) and High fashion (82 and 83) More info: - Eric had earlier during the 70s been a member of Motown band "The Vikings" and worked as a vocalist with "The Mike Theodore orchestra" in 79.
McCullough, Ullanda
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (81) and B. B. & Q. band (85) More info: - Well used vocalist for almost thirtee years Ullanda has worked with Chaka Khan, T-connection and Diana Ross among others. In 81 she released her selftitled debut album that was produced by Ashford & Simpson.
Morgan, Melisa
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: High fashion (82) More info: - She did later a rather succesfull solo career with hits like "Fools paradise" and "Do me baby".
Newell, Lucia
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (84) More info: - www.lucianewell.com (official site) Born in 1949 and originally a jazz singer Newell has performed as vocalist for many R&B and pop artists like Cherrelle, Alexander O'neal and Paula Abdul.
Polley, Claudia
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - Born 1949, Polley got her vocal training at the Juillaird School in New York City and have appeared in concerts and musicals radio, television and film many times. Released an disco album entitled "Reprenez-le" in 79.
Robinson, James "Crabs"
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Change (81, 82 and 83) More info: - Employed as vocalist and guitarist on Lonnie Liston Smith's albums in 79 and 80 before joining Change in 81.
Robinson, Kevin
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82 and 83) and Change (82) More info: - Former Der Kinky fox member before his engagemets with Petrus. In 1984 member of Network together with a few ex B. B. & Q. band and Mtume members.
Ryan, Roy
Lead vocalist Appears on: Change (82) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Sanders, Zack
Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82) More info: - Long time used vocalist for almost thirty years that worked with George Benson, Tom Browne and Bob James.	No picture available
Scott, Joe
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Shaw, Jocelyn
See, Jocelyn Brown
Shepard, Von Gretchen
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (80) More info: - A former Harvard student, that won the Miss Black America contest in 1975 and earned status as supermodel. She continued to work as that after PJB. Photo featuring the front cover of the Ebony magazine 1977.
Shervin
Lead vocalist Appears on: Macho (III) (1984) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Simms, Arthur
Background vocalist Appears on: Macho (78) and Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - Worked mainly as a vocalist during the 70s, 80s and 90s before a new career as engineer.	No picture available
Stewart, Maerethia
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - Had a opera backgrund before her role in PJB.	No picture available
Taylor, Gwendolyn
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (84) More info: - Well-used vocalist on many Jam & Lewis productions in the mid 80s like Cherrelle, SOS band and Alexander O'neal.
Thornton, Fonzi
Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (81 and 82), Change (81 and 82), High fashion (82) and Zinc (82) More info: - Born Alfonso Thornton he has for more than thirty years worked with many black artists from Diana Ross via Chic, Luther Vandross (whom he toured with for a long time) and Kashif to Mariah Carey and Ray Charles. In 83 he came up with a solo album entitled "The leader" that was followed up by "Pumpin' in 84.
Turner, Gloria
Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (79) More info: - N/A	No picture available
Vandross, Luther
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (81), Change (80 and 81) and Peter Jacques band (80) More info: - www.luthervandross.com (official site) - One of the most successful soul singers ever. Before his big breaktrough as Change's lead singer in 1980 he had released two obscure solo albums during the late 70s under the name "Luther" His second solo career began after his departure from Change in 1981 and became an incredible musical and commercial success. Sadly though Vandross died on the 1st of July 2005 as a result of a stroke he had in 2003. His death is a great loss for soul music! Read an interview (German only) Michael Arens did in 2005 here
Vincenzi, Marzio
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Macho (78) More info: - Formed together with Mauro Malavasi the band Marsius (named after Marzio) that released their disco influenced one and only album "Save the tiger" in 77 without any notable success.
Washington, Diane
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (80) More info: - Had before PJB worked both as model and dancer something she continued with after PJB.
Wheeler, Jacob
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Peter Jacques band (80) More info: - Married to Sandi Bass of PJB. Had before PJB worked at different theaters on Broadway and played in a band.
White, Brenda
Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82) More info: - Much in demand vocalist that for more than thirty years worked with such great acts like George Benson, Luther Vandross and Kashif.
Williams, Alyson
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: B. B. & Q. band (82) and High fashion (82 and 83) More info: - Appreciated vocalist for over twenty years that worked with greats artist like Melba Moore, Evelyn King and Unlimited touch. In 89 she came up with a solo album entitled "Raw" that so far been followed up by two more ones.
Wiltshire, Christine
Lead and Background vocalist Appears on: Revanche (79) and Rudy (79) More info: - Former member of obscure female studio project Musique and later member of another studio project called Class action that also worked with Edde Kendricks and Luther Vandross.	No picture available
Wright, Norma Jean
Background vocalist Appears on: Change (82) More info: - Well-used vocalist that got her first big break with Chic in 77. She did also work with names like Luther Vandross, Madonna and D-train. In 78 Rodgers and Edwards produced her debut album "Norma Jean" that was followed up by "High society" in 79.
Yagian, Kurt
Background vocalist Appears on: Silence (82) More info: - N/A	No picture available

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