The Dramatics

The Dramatics (formerly The Dynamics) are an American soul music vocal group, formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1964. They are best known for their 1970s hit songs "In the Rain" and "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get", both of which were Top 10 Pop hits,[1] as well as their later 1993 collaboration "Doggy Dogg World" with Snoop Dogg, a top 20 hit on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40.
== Career ==
The Dramatics, founded by Ron Banks, Willie Ford and Larry Reed, originally formed in 1964, recording as the Dynamics in 1965. Their first release in 1965 entitled "Bingo" was recorded for the late Ed Wingate's Wingate record label, a division of Golden World Records in Detroit, Michigan. Due to a misprint, Wingate changed the name of the group from The Dynamics to The Dramatics in 1966 for the group's second release, "Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo". By 1967, Motown had absorbed the entire Golden World Records operation. The Dramatics then moved to another local Detroit label, Sport Records, where they garnered their first minor hit single, "All Because of You." After becoming a victim in the July 1967 Algiers Motel incident, Reed left the group.
The Dramatics originally signed for Stax Records of Memphis, Tennessee in 1968, but moved on after one unsuccessful release. However, producer Don Davis re-signed them to Stax subsidiary, Volt in 1971 after the group teamed up with Detroit writer-producer, Tony Hester. They broke through with their first release recorded with Hester, "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get", which Hester offered them after seeing the group perform in a Detroit nightclub. The song went into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #9 and climbing to #3 in the R&B chart. [1] "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" was awarded gold discstatus by the R.I.A.A. in December 1971.[1]
Their members at this time were Ron Banks (who died of a heart attack on March 4, 2010, at the age of 58),[2] William "Wee Gee" Howard (who died of a heart attack on February 22, 2000, at the age of 49), Elbert Wilkins (who died of a heart attack on December 13, 1992, at the age of 45), Larry "Squirrel" Demps and Willie Ford as well as keyboardist James Mack Brown (who died on November 28, 2008, at the age of 58).
Shortly after the success of their first album, Howard and Wilkins left the group and formed their own version of The Dramatics, recording the single "No Rebate On Love" on Mainstream Records. They were replaced by Larry James "L.J." Reynolds and Leonard "Lenny" Mayes (who died of lung cancer on November 8, 2004, at the age of 53). At the urging of Don Davis and Stax Records, the original group changed its billing to "Ron Banks and the Dramatics". These two groups toured the concert circuit for four years before Banks' group won a court battle, giving them full access to the name.[3] Howard and Wilkins were forced to change the name of their group to "A Dramatic Experience".
Through the 1970s, the group continued to have successful songs, including the Top 10 Pop, #1 R&B hit, "In the Rain" in 1972, "Hey You! Get Off My Mountain" (#5 R&B), "Me and Mrs Jones" (#4 R&B), originally recorded by Billy Paul three years earlier, "Be My Girl" (#3 R&B), and "Shake It Well" (#4 R&B). "In the Rain" also reached #5 on the Hot 100 pop chart and was their second million-seller. [1]
The group recorded for Don Davis' Groovesville and later Great Lakes music production companies during the 1970s, although the recordings appeared on several labels. The group moved from Volt in 1974 after three albums, releasing one album on Chess Records' subsidiary Cadet, sharing tracks with The Dells, who were also being produced by Davis at the time. The group then signed for ABC in 1975 and transferred five years later to MCA, after ABC closed following its buy-out by MCA. Many of the Dramatics' songs initially were written and produced by Tony Hester, including all the tracks on the first two Volt albums. Davis, then Banks and Reynolds took over production later in the 1970s and the early 1980s.
In 1982, the group moved to Capitol Records and made their first album without Don Davis, with Banks acting as producer. Only Banks, Ford and Mayes remained in the group. L.J. Reynolds left to go solo in 1981 and Larry Demps decided to go into teaching and spend more time with his family, after having joined the group's original line-up in 1964 with Banks. When Ron Banks also decided to try a solo career, the group disbanded for a few years, but re-formed in the mid-1980s, with Howard returning to join Reynolds, Mayes, Ford and Banks to record for Fantasy Records.
The group continues to tour and presently consists of Reynolds with Winzell Kelly, Leon Franklin, and Donald Albert. Willie Ford also has a Dramatics group. The Dramatics were officially inducted into the R&B Music Hall of Fame at Cleveland State University's Waetejen Auditorium on Saturday August 17, 2013. The Dramatics were also interviewed at (but have yet to be inducted into) the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on February 2012. [4][5][6]
The band are depicted centrally in the 2017, Kathryn Bigelow film Detroit, a dramatization of the Algiers Motel incident.
== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
Year 	Album 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Certifications
(sales thresholds) 	Record label 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year 	Album 	US
[7] 	US
R&B
[7] 	CAN
[8] 	Certifications
(sales thresholds) 	Record label 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1971 	Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get 	20 	5 	— 	 	Volt 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1973 	A Dramatic Experience 	86 	11 	— 	 	Volt 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	The Dells Vs. The Dramatics 	156 	15 	— 	 	Cadet 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	Dramatically Yours [A] 	— 	36 	— 	 	Volt 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	The Dramatic Jackpot [A] 	31 	9 	89 	 	ABC 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	Drama V 	93 	10 	— 	 	ABC 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1976 	Joy Ride 	103 	11 	— 	 	ABC 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1977 	Shake It Well 	60 	10 	— 	 	ABC 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	Do What You Wanna Do 	44 	6 	72 	
* US: Gold [9] 	ABC 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1979 	Anytime, Anyplace 	— 	15 	— 	 	ABC 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	10½ 	61 	14 	— 	 	MCA 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	The Dramatic Way 	— 	38 	— 	 	MCA 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1982 	New Dimension 	— 	40 	— 	 	Capitol 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1986 	Somewhere in Time (A Dramatic Reunion) 	— 	— 	— 	 	Fantasy 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1989 	Positive State of Mind 	— 	80 	— 	 	Volt 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1990 	Stone Cold 	— 	— 	— 	 	Volt 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1994 	Mellow Drama 	— 	— 	— 	 	Groovesville 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1997 	A Dramatic Christmas: The Very Best Christmas of All 	— 	— 	— 	 	Fantasy 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1999 	If You Come Back to Me 	— 	— 	— 	 	Volt 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2002 	Look Inside 	— 	— 	— 	 	BBEG 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
* A Album credited to Ron Banks & the Dramatics.
=== Live albums ===
* Live (1988, Stax)
* Greatest Hits Live (2002, Stax Records/Fantasy)
=== Compilation albums ===
* The Best of the Dramatics (1974, Volt)
* Be My Girl: Their Greatest Love Songs (1998, Hip-O)
* Shake It Well: The Best of the Dramatics 1974-1980 (1998, MCA)
* Say the Word: Their Greatest Love Songs, Vol. 2 (1999, Hip-O)
* Ultimate Collection (2000, Hip-O)
* 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Dramatics(2005, Hip-O)
* The Very Best of the Dramatics (2007, Stax)
* Greatest Slow Jams (2014, Stax)
=== DVDs ===
* Biggest Hits Live (2009, Soul Concerts)
=== Singles ===
Year 	Single (A-side, B-side)
Both sides from same album except where indicated 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Album 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year 	Single (A-side, B-side)
Both sides from same album except where indicated 	US
[7] 	US
R&B
[7] 	CAN
[8] 	Album 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1963 	"Toy Soldier"
b/w "Hello Summer" 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1965 	"Bingo"
b/w "Somewhere" 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1966 	"Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo"
b/w "Baby I Need You" 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1967 	"All Because Of You"
b/w "If You Haven't Got Love" 	— 	43 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1969 	"Your Love Was Strange"
b/w "Since I've Been In Love" 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1971 	"Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get"
b/w "Thankful For Your Love" 	9 	3 	44 	Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1971 	"Get Up and Get Down"
b/w "Fall In Love, Lady Love" 	78 	16 	— 	Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1972 	"In the Rain"
b/w "(Gimme Some) Good Soul Music" 	5 	1 	31 	Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1972 	"Toast To The Fool"
b/w "Your Love Was Strange" (Non-album track) 	67 	18 	— 	Dramatically Yours 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1973 	"Hey You! Get Off My Mountain"
b/w "The Devil Is Dope" 	43 	5 	— 	A Dramatic Experience 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1973 	"Fell For You"
b/w "Now You Got Me Loving You" 	45 	12 	— 	A Dramatic Experience 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	"And I Panicked"
b/w "Beware Of The Man" (from A Dramatic Experience) 	— 	49 	— 	Dramatically Yours 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	"Choosing Up On You" / 	— 	30 	— 	The Dells VS. The Dramatics 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	"Door To Your Heart" 	62 	25 	— 	The Dells VS. The Dramatics 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	"Highway to Heaven" [B]
b/w "I Made Myself Lonely" 	— 	— 	— 	Dramatically Yours 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1974 	"Don't Make Me No Promises" / 	— 	63 	— 	The Dells VS. The Dramatics 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	"Tune Up" 	— 	74 	— 	The Dells VS. The Dramatics 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	"Me and Mrs. Jones" [B]
b/w "I Cried All The Way Home" 	47 	4 	78 	The Dramatic Jackpot 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	"Love Is Missing from Our Lives"
b/w "I'm In Love"
Both tracks with The Dells 	— 	46 	— 	The Dells VS. The Dramatics 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	"(I'm Going by) The Stars in Your Eyes" [B]
b/w "Trying To Get Over Losing You" 	81 	22 	— 	The Dramatic Jackpot 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	"No Rebate On Love"
b/w "Feel It" 	— 	26 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1975 	"You're Fooling You"
b/w "I'll Make It So Good" 	87 	10 	— 	Drama V 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1976 	"Treat Me Like A Man"
b/w "I Was The Life Of The Party" 	— 	49 	— 	Drama V 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1976 	"Finger Fever"
b/w "Say The Word" 	— 	23 	— 	Joy Ride 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1976 	"Be My Girl"
b/w "Richest Man Alive" 	53 	3 	65 	Joy Ride 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1977 	"I Can't Get Over You"
b/w "Sundown Is Coming (Hold Back The Night)" 	101 	9 	99 	Joy Ride 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1977 	"Shake It Well"
b/w "That Heaven Kind Of Feeling" 	76 	4 	— 	Shake It Well 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	"Ocean Of Thoughts and Dreams"
b/w "Come Inside" 	106 	17 	— 	Shake It Well 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	"Stop Your Weeping"
b/w "California Sunshine" 	— 	22 	— 	Do What You Wanna Do 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	"Do What You Want To Do"
b/w "Jane" 	— 	56 	— 	Do What You Wanna Do 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	"Why Do You Want To Do Me Wrong"
b/w "Yo' Love (Can Only Bring Me Happiness) 	— 	— 	— 	Do What You Wanna Do 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1979 	"I Just Wanna Dance With You"
b/w "I've Got A Schoolboy Crush On You" (Non-album track)	— 	35 	— 	Any Time Any Place 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1979 	"That's My Favorite Song"
b/w "Bottom Line Woman" 	— 	40 	— 	Any Time Any Place 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"Welcome Back Home"
b/w "A Marriage On Paper Only" (from Any Time Any Place) 	— 	9 	— 	10 1/2 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"Be With The One You Love"
b/w "If You Feel Like You Wanna Dance, Dance" 	— 	79 	— 	10 1/2 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"Get It"
b/w "Share Your Love With Me" 	— 	59 	— 	The Dramatic Way 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"You're The Best Thing In My Life"
b/w "(We Need More) Loving Time" 	— 	26 	— 	The Dramatic Way 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1982 	"Live It Up"
b/w "She's My Kind Of Girl" 	— 	40 	— 	New Dimension 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1982 	"Treat Me Right"
b/w "Night Life" 	— 	62 	— 	New Dimension 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1986 	"Luv's Calling"
b/w "Dream Lady" 	— 	— 	— 	Somewhere In Time (A Dramatic Reunion) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1986 	"One Love Ago"
b/w "Dream Lady" 	— 	61 	— 	Somewhere In Time (A Dramatic Reunion) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1986 	"When Love Is Over"
B-side unknown 	— 	— 	— 	Somewhere In Time (A Dramatic Reunion) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1988 	"Born to Be Wild"
b/w "Born To Be Wild" (Instrumental) 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1988 	"We Are the Champions" (with Thomas Hearns)
b/w "We Are The Champions (Part 2)" 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1989 	"Bridge Over Troubled Water"
b/w "Please Say You'll Be Mine" 	— 	93 	— 	Positive State Of Mind 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1990 	"Ready 4 Love"
b/w "Just A Little Bit" 	— 	— 	— 	Stone Cold 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1996 	"Try Love Again"
CD single with various mixes 	— 	82 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1997 	"The Golden Horn"
b/w "All I Want For Christmas Is My Baby" 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1998 	"Saying Goodbye"
Release format unknown 	— 	— 	— 	Non-album tracks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.	"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
* B Single credited to Ron Banks & the Dramatics.