Labels Astroscope, Horoscope | Active until 1975 | |
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Years active 1970 (1970)–1975 (1975) Past members Alfred Pelham
Alvin Pelham
Keith Gardner
Kirk Gardner
Ricky Spicer Origin Cleveland, Ohio, United States (1970) Albums 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One Members Ricky Spicer, Alvin Pelham, Kirk Gardner, Alfred Pelham, Keith Gardner Genres Rhythm and blues, Soul music, Funk, Vocal music Similar Bobby Massey, The Whatnauts, Chee‑Chee and Peppy, Che Pope, Brighter Side of Darkness | ||
Ponderosa twins plus one bound
Ponderosa Twins Plus One was an American soul vocal group formed in 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio. The group featured two sets of identical twins, Alfred and Alvin Pelham, and Keith and Kirk Gardner, along with Ricky Spicer. The group released one studio album, 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One, in 1971, before disbanding in 1975.
Contents
The group came into prominence after their track, "Bound" was sampled by rapper Kanye West in his 2013 song, "Bound 2". This was followed by a copyright lawsuit by Ricky Spicer.
History
The group was founded in 1970 while the all original members attended the Patrick Henry Jr. High School on the east side of Cleveland. The group was managed by Tony Wilson, who brought them to the attention of Bobby Massey of The O'Jays. Through Massey, the group eventually signed to Chuck Brown's Astroscope record label.
Accompanied by Massey, the group recorded three singles in a studio. Sylvia Robinson, the owner of All Platinum Records, agreed to distribute singles. The group's first single, "You Send Me" became their best-selling single, peaking at number 23 at Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles. Following the success of the single, the group toured with artists such as the Moments, the Whatnauts, Linda Jones and Lonnie Youngblood.
In 1971, the group released their debut album, 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One. "Bound" became their second single and peaked at number 47 on Best Selling Soul Singles chart. The second single off the album, a cover of Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", was also released in 1971. It was produced by Calvin Simon of Parliament and Funkadelic.
Due to the lack of royalties and earnings from live shows, the group disbanded in 1975. Following the disestablishment of the act, one of the Pelham twins suffered from mental problems and one of the Gardner twins has been incarcerated in an Ohio penitentiary since 1980 for various offenses. Ricky Spicer became a construction worker in the greater Cleveland area and maintained a friendship with Kirk and Keith Gardner.
Lawsuits
In 2013, Ricky Spicer filled a lawsuit against rapper Kanye West, as well as Roc-A-Fella Records, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Rhino Entertainment and Universal Music Group, citing copyright infringement in West's track, "Bound 2", from his 2013 album, Yeezus. Spicer alleged that West didn't ask his permission to use the sample and it was audible in the record, seeking an injunction and damages for alleged violations.
In 2014, Spicer sued Vogue magazine and its publisher Condé Nast, after "Bound 2" was used in the promotional behind the scenes video for the magazine's April edition cover, which featured Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
In 2015, court documents revealed that the lawsuit against Kanye West was settled. Ricky Spicer's attorney, Brittany Weiner, from the law firm Imbesi Law P.C., released a statement that the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement.
Discography
Songs
Bound2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One · 1971
Dad - I Love Her2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One · 1971
Love You While You Wait2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One · 1971