Turning on the Style

The Stylistics are one of the great survivors in the music business. Since the late '60s they have been churning out soulful R&B classics such as "Betcha By Golly, Wow", "You're My Everything" and the Grammy nominated multi-million selling hit "You Make Me Feel Brand New".

The band formed in 1968 when members of two rival groups in North Philadelphia, Russell Thompkins, Airrion Love and James Smith of The Monarchs and Herb Murrell and James Dunn Jr. of The Percussions joined forces. For almost two decades their singles were a constant feature in the charts as they notched up over 25 US Top Ten hits. In 1992 they revived their career with a Christmas album and 25th Anniversary Tour. Since then they have played to 35,000 people in Johannesburg Stadium and earned the reputation of being the only R'n'B group from their era who can still cut the mustard.

Airrion Love is on the blower from Philadelphia recalling the unusual circumstances of The Stylistics' last Dublin engagement.

"The last time we played in Ireland it was at the Dublin Horse Show," he begins. "The stage was in the middle of the field and we had to get a carriage out to the stage. It was certainly one of our more unusual shows. We are looking forward to coming back since we've only done Ireland three or four times. Anytime we've gone over we've never had time to enjoy our stay there, so it is good that this time we are doing five dates."

Airrion attributes the Stylistics' longevity to a combination of classic songs and good old Lady Luck.

"I think it is the power of the songs. They don't have any purely traditional base like soul, funk, rhythm and blues or whatever. I think that it also comes down to luck and good fortune. Sure we've worked hard and the record company has worked hard but there is a large dose of luck. Wherever we go in the world people connect with the songs and enjoy the shows. That is really still something very special to us."

As well as playing in the middle of the Horse Show, Airrion has other memories of unusual shows of the death defying variety.

"At one show we did, they had this partition that was surrounding the stage. The lights were absolutely blinding me. I thought the partition was the edge of the stage because of the way the lights were. Next thing you know I'm flat on the floor mid-performance!"

I assure Airrion that HQ doesn't have any life-threatening design features. Audibly relieved, he guarantees that this brace of shows will comprise of "all the hits plus plenty of surprises".

The Stylistics will appear for five shows in HQ from Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th April.