This group were formed in 1972, and comprised of:
John Brown (b. New York City, New York, U.S.A.)
Claude Johnson (b. Claude Winslow Johnson, 24th November 1940, Slab Fork, West Virginia, U.S.A. d. 18th July 2017, Jewish Home & Hospital, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.A.)
Tim McQueen (b. Innettsville, South Carolina, U.S.A.)
and
Eddie Schell (b. Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A.)
New York City are best remembered for their Sherman Marshall/Thom Bell penned hit ‘I’m Doin’ Fine Now’ in 1973.
Formed in 1972, the group’s main recordings were recorded in Philadelphia.
seven lonely nights b/w iil ole me - 1971-45
Initially, the group recorded under the name of the Triboro Exchange (slang for the term ‘nothing’), releasing 'Seven Lonely Nights b/w 'Lil Ole Me' in 1971 for the Buddah imprint.
The group comprised of ex Doo Wop vocalists and performers.
The Tony Camilo produced single was part penned by, ex Cadillac, J.R. Bailey.
Triboro Exchange soon had renamed themselves New York City.
John Brown had recorded with The Five Satins, The Cadillacs and The Moonglows (his sister was one of the Sweet Inspirations).
Claude Johnson served in the U.S. Army between 1961 and 1963.
When New York City, later, disbanded he performed a few local solo shows.
He went on to work as a career counselor for the Martin Luther Ling Jr Educational Campus in Manhattan.
Tim McQueen was a classical music student from South Carolina.
Signed to the Chelsea imprint in the U.K. and U.S., ‘I’m Doin’ Fine Now' b/w 'Ain't It So' charted in 1972, reaching number 17 on the mainstream U.S. charts, number 20 in the U.K.
i'm doin' fine now - 1973 / soulful road - 1974
A parent album went under the same title, and featured the Wes Farrell and Thom Bell production team.
The album, also, featured the song ‘Make Me Twice The Man’ b/w 'Uncle James', which was later covered by the group on the Notations, some three years later on their debut album.
The song became a second single, followed by a third hit ‘Quick, Fast, In A Hurry' b/w 'Reach Out', which reached number 19 on the R&B charts.
New York City released 'Soulful Road' in 1974, the cover of which mimicked the Beatles Abbey Road album sleeve.
They later toured in 1973 with the Big Apple Band.
The Big Apple Band featured a couple of members (Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards) who later went on to form the Chic set-up.
'I'm Doin' Fine Now' was later recorded by the U.K. Soul group, the Pasadena's.
New York City disbanded in late 1974.
Claude Johnson passed away in 2017, from Altzheimer's disease.
Albums:
I'm Doing Fine Now (Chelsea Records 1973)
Soulful Road (Chelsea Records 1974)
