By: Brooke Johnpier, Music Department Member
Mother’s Finest is an American rock band that was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1970. The band is known for its distinct music style, which is a blend of funky rhythms and heavy rock guitars, with vocals that are expressively soul- and R&B-like.
In 1972, the band released their self-titled debut album. Unfortunately, neither the album nor the single, “You Move Me,” would make the Billboard charts. Disappointed, the band claimed that RCA added “instrumental sweetening” without their consent.
Leaving RCA, they would release their second album, also self-titled, in 1976 with Epic Records. Ironically, they sang a song called “Niggizz Can’t Sang Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and although it was extremely controversial, the song did really well.
A year later, Mother’s Finest would release their third album, Another Mother Further. It made the Billboard 200 charts at number 134. It also contained one single: “Piece of the Rock.”
1978 saw the release of their fourth album, Mother Factor, and in 1979 they released Mother’s Finest Live, their fifth album. All those albums went gold, and it allowed other rock bands to notice them. They would end up opening for the likes of Ted Nugent, Black Sabbath, The Who, Aerosmith, and AC/DC.
For their sixth album in 1981, and what would be their heaviest album to date at the time, Iron Age. That same year, vocalist Joyce Kennedy guested on the Molly Hatchet song “Respect Me in the Morning.”
After their 1983 album, One Mother to Another, the band got put on hold. Kennedy pursued a solo career, while drummer Barry Borden joined Molly Hatchet on tour, eventually becoming part of the Marshall Tucker Band. Bassist Wyzard toured with Steve Nicks and got an appearance on Saturday Night Live.
In 1989, they reformed as a band and released their eighth album, Looks Could Kill. They would release their second live album a year later.
1992 had the band release their tenth album, Black Radio Won’t Play This Record. The name of this record came from a Scotti Brothers executive, and the hit single from the album was “Generator.”
Since then, Mother’s Finest has released a few more albums, and even got their music covered by some pretty big-name bands. And on September 16, 2011, they were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Known as the first black rock band, Mother’s Finest is a force to be reckoned with. Not only was their lead vocalist a woman, but they broke barriers within the rock and African American communities. If you’ve never listened to them, I would suggest you do. They don’t disappoint, that’s for sure!
Want to share your thoughts? Have a band/artist you want to be featured? Email Brooke at johnpibl23@bonaventure.edu!
Leave a Reply