Enchantment

The smooth and melodious soul group Enchantment was active by the late '60s, but waited ten years for popular success with the Top 40 hit "Gloria." Formed in 1967 at Pershing High School in Detroit -- with members including Emanuel "E.J." Johnson, Joe Thomas, Dave Banks, Ed "Mickey" Clanton, and Bobby Green -- the group obtained their first recording contract, in addition to $500, by winning first place in a 1969 talent contest sponsored by local radio station WCHB.

In 1970, Enchantment joined forces with Artists International, a talent development agency for up-and-coming artists (founded by renowned manager Dick Scott). While with Artists International, Enchantment began to hone their craft, concentrating on stage presence, choreography, and expanding their theatrical talents by performing in numerous musical plays around the city. Enchantment became acquainted with their producer-to-be, Michael Stokes, in 1973 while performing at a local nightclub (Stage One). Through this union, they recorded a movie score on Polydor Records in 1974 entitled Deliver Us from Evil, which was released in 1975.

By 1976, Enchantment had signed with the Roadshow label and recorded their self-entitled debut album. The first single to ride the charts for the fledgling group was "Come On and Ride." Later that year, the charismatic showmen received national acclaim with the release of their second single, "Gloria." Written and arranged by dynamic lead singer E.J. Johnson, "Gloria" became a smash, and was one of the most popular songs of 1976-1977. They followed it up with another hit, "Sunshine," from the same album.

The self-contained group entered the studio in the fall of 1977, and recorded their second album, Once Upon a Dream. Their third consecutive number one single, "It's You That I Need," reigned for a solid four weeks. It was followed by "If You're Ready (Here It Comes)," also a Top Ten single.

Enchantment continued their hit-making ways in the late '70s with a string of hits: "Where Do We Go from Here," "Forever More," "Moment of Weakness," "Enchanted Lady." Their popularity faded not long after, but the group continued to perform regionally as well as around the nation. ~ Craig Lytle, Rovi