East Baltimore based soul / funk group included members from United Chair / Magic Force. Listed with the MLAA Talent Agency, and A&D Booking. R&B DJ Anthony promoted Madhouse and his booking agency took the group to New York to record.
The Madhouse rhythm section included Robert ‘Wah-Wah’ Legrand (lead guitar), Thomas ‘Bunky’ Smith (bass), Joel Johnson ‘Razor Sharp’ (keyboards), Kenny Tapp (drums). Brass section members Leroy McKenzie (trombone), Rickey Evans (trumpet), and Harold Porter (sax). Vocalists included Elliott Barnes aka ‘Elbo’ (also played keyboards ex-Ricky & the Chips, Civics), Garry Cooper (aka ‘Mudbone’ ex-Ricky & the Chips, Civics), and Liewellyn ‘Hondo’ Scruggs (ex-Teddy & the Tempos). Porter was later replaced with Neil Simms.
Madhouse performed locally and toured nationally. They performed at the Afro-Liberation Dance on May 26, 1972 at the Famous Ballroom.
The group split in 1974. Smith, Johnson, Tapp, Evans, and Scruggs formed Witchcraft. Tapp also went on to play for Tomorrow’s Promise. Legrand went on to join Frankie & the Spindles, and later toured and recorded with Teddy Pendergrass. Simms later with The Grand Jury… In 1973 Cooper and Johnson, along with Robert ‘P-nut’ Johnson, went on to help form the Bootsy Collins Band with Maceo Parker and the JB’s. Fred Allen (keyboards –Jetsons) also played very briefly for Bootsy’s Rubber Band. He is listed on the “Stretchin’ Out” LP although he did not actually play on the album.
Cooper also toured with R&B recording artist Mtume. As a member of the pop group Sly Fox (1985-86) with Mike Camacho, he released an album and a nationally charted Top-10 dance single “Let’s Go All the Way” b/w “Cumo Tute Llama? (What Is Your Name)” (Capitol B-5552) in 1985. The video made the rotation on MTV.
Cooper left P-Funk in 1995. His later work includes working with Mick Jagger on 2004 release of the soundtrack “Alfie,” and with Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) on a 2006 CD “Fresh Mud.”
1972(LP) Today 1010 Serve ‘Em Madhouse
1972 Today 1515 Serve ‘Em / Vote
1972 Today 1521 Nixon’s Ego Trip / Get Some of This
