A Number of Names and their impact on the Detroit Techno Music Scene

The Birth of Techno Music

Detroit techno music is synonymous with A Number of Names simply because this group is largely responsible for the birth of techno music due to engineering one of the first techno releases from Detroit.

Small names, big blowout!

The group, a duo, was made up of Paul Lesley and Sterling Jones, who were high-scholars with big dreams that they finally realized when they formed the band in 1981 with the help of a number of other people.

One hit wonder

Their hit, "Sharevari," was recorded in 1981, with Lesley on the vocals and Jones as the songwriter. Roderick Simpson was also credited for contributing to lyrics and played the main melody.

Sharevari was a play on the Detroit Party club named Charivari, leading Lesley and Jones to change the spelling to avoid legal issues. The difference between Sharevari and other one-hit wonders? This one isn't remembered only because of a dance move.

First play

The unfinished song was first played at one of the Charivari parties by DJ Daryll Shannon, which was also attended by radio jock the Electrifying Mojo, who would go on to be instrumental in the success of ANON. The song was an instant hit with the crowd.

The Electrifying Mojo invited Lesley and Jones to one of his shows, during which he suggested the name " A Number of Names." Thanks to the support of Mojo and other party DJs, the song blew up, and A Number of Names became a Detroit and worldwide household name.

The success of repetition

A number of names subsequently released 12 versions of Sharevari under their record label, Capriccio Records. Another four versions under the name of "Skitso/Sharevari" were released in 1982 under the Quality/RFC record label.

The reunion

The group got together again in 2001 for the Detroit Electronic Music Festival due to a meeting between Lesley and Keith Tucker, who kept the Detroit techno flame burning since the 1980s.

Repeat and remix

As a result of their re-formation at the 2001 DEMF, and with the help of Tucker's record label Puzzle, a double vinyl release of Sharevari was issued featuring the original version of the song together with several remixes from other Detroit artists such as Sean Deason, Adult, Eddie Fowlkes and even Tucker himself.

For the fans

2002 saw another live appearance from the duo at the DEMF. There is no confirmation of any other appearances since then. The group itself was short-lived, and while there is little known about either Lesley or Jones, the legacy still lives on in the music.

Names and faces

A photo book titled "A Number of Names" was produced by Mattias Schmitt. In it, he detailed his experience of the Detroit techno scene, featuring interviews with people like Mike Banks, Mike Huckaby, and Rick Wade. Sadly, the project did not receive the required Kickstart funding, and not much more has been heard about it since 2015.