Years active 1980–1984 Genres Disco, Hi-NRG | Active until 1984 | |
Albums Disc Charge, Best of Boys Town Gang Members Robin Charin, Phill Manganello, Don Wood Similar Gloria Gaynor, Frankie Valli, Sylvester, Miquel Brown, Anita Ward | ||
The Boys Town Gang were a San Francisco based disco and Hi-NRG band. Their popularity peaked in the 1980s, when the group reached number 5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart with the single "Cruisin' the Streets", and number 4 in the UK Singles chart and number 1 in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain with their cover version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You".
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Boys town gang can t take my eyes off you
History
In 1980 DJ Bill Motley saw an opportunity to form a group that catered to San Francisco's large gay clientele. In his search to form a group he auditioned hundreds of vocalists, both male and female. Local cabaret singer Cynthia Manley captured the lead spot.
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The idea was originally for one 12" single with two tracks of high energy music. Motley, a Diana Ross fan, picked two Ashford & Simpson songs to form a medley for the A-side. For the B-side he wrote a disco drama in four acts. A record label was founded to release the two songs.
When "Remember Me" / "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was released the song took off, with Manley's vocals propelling the song into the top of the club charts. The four-act explicit "Cruisin' The Streets" was a snapshot of Castro and Market Streets at sundown.
Manley departed after the release of these two records and Jackson Moore took over lead vocal responsibilities in 1981.
Band members
On the records "Remember Me" / "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Cruisin' The Streets" Cynthia Manley provided lead vocals with Robin Charin, Don Wood, Phill Manganello, Tom Morley and Keith Stewart providing back-up.
From the 1981 album Disc Charge and onwards Jackson Moore was lead singer with Tom Morley and Bruce Carlton as back-up.
Singles
Albums
Songs
Can't Take My Eyes Off YouDisc Charge · 1982
Remember Me/Ain't No Mountain High Enough Suite1988
Disco KicksDisc Charge · 1982