Twennynine, also known as Twennynine with Lenny White, was an American R&B band founded in 1979.[1][2]

Twennynine
Twennynine as pictured on the cover of their 1980 debut album.
Twennynine as pictured on the cover of their 1980 debut album.
Background information
OriginUnited States
GenresFunk, disco, R&B, soul
Years active1979–1983
LabelsElektra Records

Overview

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Twennynine was founded by jazz fusion drummer Lenny White in 1979 after he left Return to Forever. White formed the band to explore commercial R&B and funk music, and to take a break from the complex jazz rock for which he was known.[3] The group also featured keyboardist Skip Anderson, bassist Barry Johnson, and guitarist Eddie Martinez; while singers Lynn Davis, Carla Vaughn, Joycelyn Smith, and Tanya Willoghby contributed at various times throughout the group's career.[4][1] They released their debut album Best of Friends on Elektra Records in 1979. The album was co-produced by White and Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. Best of Friends rose to number 15 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and number 54 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[1][5][6] The single "Peanut Butter" reached number three on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 83 on the Hot 100 singles chart.[7][8] The second single "Best of Friends" reached number 47 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.[9]

Their second album Twennynine with Lenny White was released in 1980, with White and Dunn again as producers. The album reached number 22 on Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.[10][11] The single "Kid Stuff" reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, while "Fancy Dancer" reached number 17 on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart and number 25 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[12][13][14] Twennynine performed on American Bandstand and The Mike Douglas Show in 1980.[4][15]

Twennynine released their third album Just Like Dreamin' in 1981. The group added guitarist Steve Horton for this album.[16] Just Like Dreamin' reached number 41 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.[17][18] The singles "Didn't Know About Love (Till I Found You)" and "All I Want" reached numbers 31 and 62, respectively, on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[19][20] Another single, "My Turn to Love You" reached number 29 on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart.[4][21] The group split up in 1983, after which Lenny White returned to jazz session work.

Discography

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Albums

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Year Title Billboard 200[22] US R&B[23] Label
1979 Best of Friends 54 3 Elektra
1980 Twennynine with Lenny White 106 22 Elektra
1981 Just Like Dreamin' 162 42 Elektra

[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Twennynine with Lenny White: Best of Friends". Allmusic.com.
  2. ^ a b "Twennynine with Lenny White". Allmusic.com.
  3. ^ "Interview: Lenny White". The Last Miles. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  4. ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (1991). Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Eighties (First ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 17. ISBN 0-89820-079-2.
  5. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Best of Friends (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Best of Friends (Billboard 200)". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  7. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Peanut Butter (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  8. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Peanut Butter (Hot 100)". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.
  9. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Best Of Friends (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  10. ^ "Twennynine with Lenny White (Album)". Allmusic.com.
  11. ^ "Twennynine with Lenny White (Album): Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  12. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Kid Stuff (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.
  13. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Fancy Dancer (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  14. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Fancy Dancer (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.
  15. ^ "Twennynine". IMDB.com.
  16. ^ "Just Like Dreamin'". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Twennyninewith Lenny White: Just Like Dreamin'". Allmusic.com.
  18. ^ "Twennynine featuring Lenny White: Just Like Dreamin (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.
  19. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: Didn't Know About Love (Till I Found You) (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  20. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: All I Want (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  21. ^ "Twennynine Featuring Lenny White: My Turn To Love You (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.
  22. ^ "Twennynine featuring Lenny White: Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.
  23. ^ "Twennynine featuring Lenny White: Top R&B Albums". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018.