Years active 1979–1985 Website funkytown.com Genres Disco, Funk | Labels Casablanca | |
 | ||
Origin Minneapolis, Minnesota,United States Albums Mouth to Mouth, Designer Music, Pucker Up, Funkyworld: The Best of Lipps - Inc, Funkytown Similar Flyte Tyme (band), Pseudo Echo, A Taste of Honey (band) | ||
Lipps Inc. (pronounced like "lip sync") was a band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The group was best known for the chart-topping 1980 worldwide hit single "Funkytown", which hit No. 1 in 28 different countries around the world and was certified as double-platinum in sales.
Contents
The group originally consisted of lead vocalist Cynthia Johnson and a changing lineup of session musicians, including guitarist David Rivkin, guitarist Tom Riopelle and bassist Terry Grant. Steven Greenberg, the creator of the act, wrote and produced most of the group's music.
History
Lipps Inc.'s first release was a 1979 single, "Rock It", on Greenberg's own Flight imprint. The act released its debut album Mouth to Mouth in late 1979.
The second single from this album, "Funkytown", spent four weeks at #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts in the United States. The 7" single sold over two million copies within a few months and was awarded a platinum record within the same year of its release . It reached #2 in the United Kingdom and was a hit throughout the world.
Lipps Inc.'s later singles failed to match the band's initial success (the only other Hot 100 entry was "Rock It", which peaked at #64); however, more dance hits were released throughout the 1980s, including "How Long?" in 1981 (originally a hit for Ace), which reached #4 on the U.S. dance chart. After the third album, Designer Music, Johnson left the band and was replaced by Margie Cox and Melanie Rosales. Lipps Inc. released its final album, 4, in 1983 before disbanding two years later.
Awards and recognitions
Songs
FunkytownMouth to Mouth · 1979
Designer MusicDesigner Music · 1981
All Night DancingMouth to Mouth · 1979