The Floaters were originally from Detroit, U.S.A.
The Floaters comprised, at various times of:
James Mitchell (Lead Singer - b. James Mitchell Jr., 27th May 1949, Perry, Florida, U.S.A.)
Charles Clark (Libra and lead tenor)
Larry Cunningham (Cancer) (b. 1953, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. d. 10th January 2019, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.)
Paul Mitchell (Leo) (d. 20th December 2021)
Ralph Mitchell (Aquarius)
and
Jonathan 'Mighty Midget' Murray
The Floaters are best remembered for their huge 1977 smash hit song, 'Float On', a song which has been sampled on many subsequent musical ocassions.
'Float On', was a U.S. number 2 and a U.K. number 1 hit single in the summer of 1977, and was penned by Arnold Ingram, Marvin Willis and James Mitchell Jr., (produced by Woody Wilson).
Following the songs success, the group were visited by James Brown in Augusta, Georgia, who congratulated the group on the fact that they had had 'a bigger crossover pop hit than he had ever achieved.
the floaters - 1977 / magic - 1978 / into the future - 1979 / get ready for the floaters and shu-ga - 1981
'Float On' was originally destined to be recorded by the Detroit Emeralds with whom James Mitchell used to be the lead singer.
Other group members hailed from the Sojourner Truth housing project, on Detroit's Eastside.
Jonathan Murray joined the group in 1978.
Further singles reached the R & B Top 50, followed by three further albums, released between 1978 and 1981.
The Floaters, reformed in 1990, and are still touring.
larry cunningham
Larry Cunningham passed away in January 2019.
http://www.valentinaonline.com/thefloaters.html
Albums:
Floaters (ABC Records 1977)
Magic (ABC Records 1978)
Into The Future (MCA Records 1979)
Get Ready For The Floaters and Shu-Ga (MCA Records 1981)
