Lipps Inc.

formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979

Do you know this about the disco band lipps, Inc?

Lipps, Inc was more than just a one-hit-wonder disco and funk group of the '80s. Although they failed to hit the mark, they did have some pretty good singles that people still rock to today. The group hailed from Minnesota.

The group’s name is pronounced as "Lip sync" - makes one wonder what the band was about, but rumor has it that the name Lip Sync was taken, so the creator, Steven Goldberg, settled on something as close as possible; hence, Lipps, Inc.

Steven Goldberg, head of the act, started as a wedding DJ.

The first member of Golberg's solo act was Cynthia Johnson, and together they released "Rock It" in 1979. This was followed by their debut album "Mouth to Mouth" later in the same year. An interesting title and perhaps not such a wise choice.

The band has enjoyed the often short-lived presence of several members, including Margie Cox, Melanie Rosales, David Rivkin, Terry Grant, and Tom Riopelle.

With a bit of luck, the second single from Mouth to Mouth, "Funkytown," struck gold. It lasted four weeks at #1 on Hot Dance Music/Club Play and the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The single reached platinum status in the same year of its release, having sold over 2 million copies and becoming a hit globally.

The story behind "Funkytown" makes sense when you hear it. The song was written when Goldberg got tired of Minneapolis and decided to move to New York, which he had nick-named Funkytown.

Oddly enough, the group became more famous for dance in Europe than for their vocal abilities. This was thanks to British dancer Jenner and her crew, who became the face of the group.

It wasn't all that bad, and the group subsequently released "Pucker Up" in 1980 and "Designer Music" in 1981. This was followed up with their 4th album, which was named, well, 4, in 1983. It would seem that Goldberg finally started away from his oral obsession with album titles.

Of at least 15 known released singles, only two ever appeared on any charts that mattered; "Rock It," which topped at #64, and of course, "Funkytown," which made it to #1. The rest sadly didn't have the desired effect.

It was probably four that did it, and despite regular releases between 1979 and 1983, Lipps, Inc disbanded two years after their final album.

Despite the lack of take-off, Lipps, Inc. did achieve 3 Billboard Music Awards, platinum and double platinum status for Funkytown, and was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

Two compilation albums were subsequently released. "Funkyworld: The Best of Lipps, Inc" in 1992 under the Island Records label, and Funkytown" in 2003 by Universal Music Enterprises.

Cynthia Johnson was clearly a great find, and it was ultimately her leaving the band that caused the breakup.

Lipps, Inc. still has a Facebook presence that around 5000 people still celebrate. Not too shabby for a group that's been out of sync for almost 30 years.

References

Lipps, Inc.