Lipps, Inc.

 

Here are some facts you never knew about this disco group:

It includes lead singer Cynthia Johnson.

They were from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

They were signed to Casablanca Record & Filmworks.

They released a hit disco single, "Funkytown"

with the flip side of "All Night Dancing".

Also, they did a disco cover of the Ace tune, "How Long".

Here is a little story behind this group:

Lipps Inc. was a funk\dance music band from Minneapolis, Minnesota that was created by Steven Greenberg (born on October 24, 1950 in Saint Paul, Minnesota), who wrote & produced most of the music for the band.

The band consisted of lead singer & saxophonist Cynthia Johnson (born on April 22, 1956 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) and a changing line-up of session musicians such as guitarist David Rivkin, guitarist Tom Riopelle & bassist Terry Grant.

In November of 1979, Lipps Inc. released their debut album “Mouth to Mouth” on Casablanca Records with Cynthia on lead vocals. The album was certified Gold in the United States & Canada and Platinum in Hong Kong.

Their first single “Funkytown” became a number-one hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks (becoming the band’s only number-one hit on the Hot 100 to date) & topping Billboard’s Hot Disco Singles chart in 1980 (along with the track “All Night Dancing”). It also peaked at #2 at Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

Internationally, the song topped the charts in countries such as Australia, Canada, Europe, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, New Zealand & Switzerland.

Since the release of “Funkytown,” it has been featured in various films, TV shows, commercials & was covered in 1987 by Australian band Pseudo Pseudo.

The follow-up single from the album “Rock It” peaked at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100, #20 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart & #85 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 2 weeks.

In 1980, Lipps Inc. released their sophomore album “Pucker Up” which appear didn’t chart in the United States, but managed to make the album charts in Sweden & Norway.

They scored a minor hit with their cover version of British rock band Ace’s 1974 song “How Long” which peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart & #29 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks. Another single from the album “Tight Pair” peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart.

In 1981, Lipps Inc. released their third album “Designer Music” which didn’t appear to make any album charts at all. The title song peaked at #11 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart.

The follow-up single “Hold Me Down” peaked at #70 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

After the release of Lipps Inc.’s third album, Cynthia Johnson left the band & was replaced by vocalists Melanie Rosales & Margie Cox (also known as Ta Mara from Ta Mara & The Seen).

In 1983, the band released their last album “4” which flopped on the album charts. and didn’t appear to chart anywhere else.

The first single from the album “Addicted to the Night” peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart and #78 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.

The second single “Choir Practice” peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart.

Lipps Inc.’s last charting single “Does Anybody Know Me?” peaked at #32 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart.

These days, Cynthia Johnson continues to be active in the music business, singing, performing & producing. In 2013, she released her solo album “All That I Am.”

In 1993, Steven Greenberg formed an independent music label called October Records & in 1998, he wrote & directed the documentary “Funkytown.” He later went on to pursue a career in web design and was the owner of the company, Designstein for 12 years.

In 2016, Steven released a digital collection called “The Funkytown 15” (which contains 15 versions of “Funkytown”). He is also involved in a legal battle with Universal Music Group over the ownership of the “Funkytown” copyright.

As for the other members of the band, David Rivkin (who goes under the name “David Z”) went on to work with Prince and has produced music for other artists such as Neneh Cherry, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Elisa Fiorillo, Billy Idol & Fine Young Cannibals.

Melanie Rosales & Margie Cox have gone on to pursue separate careers in the music business.

Guitarist Tom Riopelle is still active in the music business and is part of a music act called RyvrWud. It’s unknown what bassist Terry Grant is up to these days & appears to have faded into obscurity.

To see the music video for “Funkytown,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Rock It,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “How Long,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Tight Pair,” go to:


To see a fan-made video for “All Night Dancing,” go to:


To see a fan-made video for “Designer Music,” go to:


To see a fan-made video for “Addicted to the Night,” go to:


To see a fan-made video for “Hold Me Down,” go to:


To see a fan-made video for “Choir Practice,” go to:


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