Wilson Phillips is an American singing group consisting of Carnie and Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips. Their 1990 self-titled debut album scored four Grammy Award nominations, two American Music Award nominations and a Billboard Music Award. [1] The group is also known for being the offspring of prominent musicians; the Wilsons are the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, while Phillips' parents are John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas.
Early life
The Wilson sisters and Phillips grew up together in southern California in the 1970s and 1980s. The three shared a love of music and songwriting, and developed their own style of vocal harmonies. In 1989, the trio signed with SBK Records.
Chart Success
Wilson Phillips released their debut album Wilson Phillips in 1990.
Their debut single, "Hold On", hit #1 on the U.S Billboard charts. The follow up singles, "Release Me" and "You're in Love" also hit #1. The singles "Impulsive" and "The Dream Is Still Alive'", would peak at #4 and #12, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] The album would go on to sell 4 million copies worldwide and peaking at #2 on the Billboard Top 200.[3]
Cover for the album, Shadows and Light
In June of 1992, Wilson Phillips released their second album, Shadows and Light. The album was deeply personal and adopted a more serious tone, with tracks exploring issues such as child abuse ("Where Are You") and their estrangement from their fathers ("Flesh and Blood", "All the Way From New York"). Although the album received good reviews, it failed to generate the same success as the group's debut album.[4] The first single, "You Won't See Me Cry'", peaked at #20. The follow up singles, "Give It Up" and "Flesh and Blood", failed to crack the top 20. The album would eventually go on to sell over one million copies, peaking at #4 the Billboard Top 200.
Shortly after the release of Shadows and Light, Chynna Phillips announced plans for a solo career, and the group decided to split up.
1993-2003
During the next decade, the group went their separate ways. In 1993, Wendy and Carnie Wilson released the Christmas holiday themed album, Hey, Santa!, a collection of classic holiday themes with an original song (the title track). In 1995, Chynna Phillips released a solo album, Naked and Sacred. The same year, Carnie went on to host her own short-lived syndicated television talk show entitled, Carnie!.[5] In 1997, Carnie and Wendy, along with their father, Brian Wilson released The Wilsons and the single, "Monday Without You".[6]
Wilson Phillip's Greatest Hits album cover
A Greatest Hits album was released in 2000, although the group did not officially reunite for the release. On March 29, 2001, they group reunited to perform the Beach Boys' song "You're So Good To Me", at a tribute show to Brian Wilson held at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Chynna Phillips dedicated the performance to her own father John Phillips who had died a few days earlier.
Reunion
Wilson Phillips reunited in 2004 to release California, an album of cover songs.
A single, "Go Your Own Way", a song originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The album debuted at #35 on the charts with 31,000 copies sold, but due to lack of promotion, the album has yet to reach sales of 100,000 copies.
In New Zealand, the album was a surprise hit, reaching the top 10 and amassing gold sales following "Go Your Own Way", topping the adult contemporary radio chart for several weeks.
2004-Present
Carnie and Wendy have announced that they will once again tour as The Wilsons. They have created a new website containing both tour dates and information about their reentry into the music scene.[6]
Discography
Albums
- 1990: Wilson Phillips (U.S. chart position: #2)
- 1992: Shadows and Light (U.S. chart position: #4)
- 2000" Greatest Hits (U.S. chart position: n/a)
- 2004: California (U.S. chart position: #35)
Singles
* Ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
Awards & nominations
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year ("Hold On") |
| 1990 | Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year (Wilson Phillips) |
| 1990 | Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist |
| 1990 | Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Duo Or Group |
| 1990 | American Music Award nomination for Favorite Single - Pop / Rock ("Hold On") |
| 1990 | American Music Award nomination for Favorite New Artist - Pop / Rock |
| 1990 | Billboard Music Award Win for Hot 100 Single of the Year ("Hold On") |
| 1991 | Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ("You're in Love") |
in popular culture
- In the movie Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, the main characters steal a truck from a group of misfits that bully them throughout the movie. They find a tape in the bullies' car and the song "Hold On" can be heard.
- Chynna Phillips dated session guitarist Michael Landau around the time of the release of Wilson Phillips' debut album. Landau's solo album Tales from the Bulge, released in 1989, features an instrumental ballad called "Chynna".
- There is a band from Chico, California named "Fat Chick From Wilson Phillips."
- "Where Are You?" from the album Shadows & Light, is the recollections of a man abused as a six-year-old boy. It is mentioned in Pedophilia and child sexual abuse in songs.
- The group was spoofed numerous times on Saturday Night Live, with Chris Farley playing Carnie.
0 comments:
Post a Comment