Cameo Hats
Description: Formed by Larry Blackmon in 1974 as the New York City Players the band was signed by Casablanca Records to its Chocolate City imprint in 1975 as the Players. The band changed its name after notification by Mercury Records that the name "the Players" was too similar to Mercury's signing, Ohio Players. The name Cameo was taken from a brand of cigarettes the band saw in Canada. Prior to this, Blackmon, keyboardist Gregory Johnson, and Gwen Guthrie formed the band East Coast, together with James Wheeler (alto saxophone), Melvin Whay (bass), Michael Harris (percussion), and Haras Fyre (also known as Pat Grant) on trombone. They released one self-titled album in 1973 on an independent label.
Description: "Rigor Mortis" is a song by American funk band Cameo, released in 1976, as a single from their debut studio album, Cardiac Arrest. In the US, the song peaked at number 33 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. In this instance "Rigor Mortis" is a euphemism for being lonesome on the dance floor.
Description: Cameo Records was an American record label that flourished in the 1920s. It was owned by the Cameo Record Corporation in New York City. Cameo released a disc by Lucille Hegamin every two months from 1921 to 1926. Cameo records are also noted for dance music. The catalogue also included the Original Memphis Five and the Varsity Eight. Musicians such as Red Nichols, Miff Mole, Adrian Rollini, and Frank Signorelli made trips to the Cameo studios. In 1926, Cameo started recording using a microphone-electrical process. An interesting blues number is 583, "Crazy Blues", by Salt & Pepper.
Description: Cameo were one of the most exciting funk groups to emerge from New York during the 1970s. Led by Larry Blackmon, the band developed a distinctive sound built around deep basslines, punchy horns, tight rhythms and infectious grooves. Their track “Rigor Mortis” appeared as a Chocolate City single, with 1976-dated 45 RPM copies documented by record collectors. The song showcases Cameo’s raw, energetic approach to funk, combining a driving rhythm with a powerful instrumental arrangement designed for the dancefloor. It remains a notable example of the group’s early sound, capturing the vibrant spirit of 1970s funk.
