R&B/funk group from West Baltimore featuring Gary Langston aka ‘Boo’ (guitar ex-Renaud & the Junction, The Mighty Upsetters), Marcel Turner (bass), and Ralph Fisher (drums). The horn section featured Steve Turner (alto sax), Dave Smith (tenor sax), and Jimmy Wilson (trumpet). Vocalist Ira Glover. The group hooked up with Julius Brockington (keyboards ex-We Four Trio, Variations) to record the album “Sophisticated Funk” in 1972. They made an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The United Chair also released recordings with Benny Johnson on Today Records in Philadelphia, and backed Jimmy Dotson on Soul House Records. They played locally at the Carousel, Club Casino, O’Dell’s on North Avenue, Gatsby’s, Black Jack, Checkers Lounge, Blue Gardenia, Kay’s Country Club, and the Carnival Club. The group also made a ten-month tour of the northeast and Canadian provinces.
Langston, Turner, Fisher, and Glover went on to join Both Worlds. Smith and Wilson played in Jimmy Dotson’s backup band. Julius (see bio) led the Magic Force band before embarking on a successful Gospel music career.
1972(LP) Today 1006 Sophisticated Funk
1973(LP) Today 1009 The United Chair
