“When we got to our last trip in the UK, what was left to unravel was when everything completely fell apart.
On The Look [album] I sang on everything except for two songs, which was “You Can Count On Me,” which originally was a song given to me to sing and I was really happy that I was finally going to get to do a nice ballad as a lead on my own and the day before I was to go into the studio and record it, I was told by Leanne Silvers and Dick Griffey that they decided that they wanted Howard to sing it instead and so naturally I didn’t like it. My panties were all in a bunch about it and of course Howard did a superb job and everything, but the point was that it was another situation where the way that it was done to me and the way that everything was mandated before, by Dick Griffey going into The Look, which was that the group was going to be a vehicle for Howard, you know that all played into it. So I didn’t show up, I was supposed to do the harmonies. We were in London to film the video for “Dead Giveaway” and what ended up happening for me to quit that day was the morning of the video shoot. Jeffrey was already living in England, so he was going to get himself to the video shoot, so it was just Howard and myself [at the hotel]. Howard had turned “star.” It was over a limo situation, I had a car that was supposed to take me, Howard had his car. So when I had come down [from the hotel room], Howard had sent the car that was designated for me to go and pick someone else that he had coming in from the airport. Naturally I didn’t like it ’cause it was kind of like “catch a cab” ’cause he didn’t want me to ride with him to the video shoot. So I remember saying ‘Well go do the video by your blank self” and that’s when things just started to escalate. We were going nose to nose and he called me the “B” word and that’s when I said ‘This is the last time you’re going to call me that.’ He threatened to kick my blankity blank. So I quit and it was the 4th of July ironically and I was like ‘I’m declaring my independence.’ Then all hell broke loose. I went back up to my room, wouldn’t come back down. Dick Griffey was [on the phone] threatening to sue me for breach of contact if I didn’t shoot the video and so I went.”
Source: Jody Watley’s Youtube Channel
The compromise for Jody was that they had to get a body double for the video shoot. Any scene that was supposed to appear as if Jody was in it with Howard, she refused to shoot with him. After that video, they headed back to the U.S. and it was a wrap. Dick Griffey was pissed and Jody wanted out of her Solar Records contract. She got what she wanted and moved on with here solo career. Dick never liked that though and she said he used to mean mug her any time he saw her in public. Jody has seen Howard and Jeffery several times throughout the years and they even did one performance together for one of Babyface’s songs in the 90’s.
They are cordial with each other and have snapped some friendly pics together, but as you can see, there are now two sets of Shalamar- one with Jody Watley and two male singers; and one with Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel and a female singer. So it’s evident that they still do not want to work together. At least they are in a better space though and can actually talk to each other without all of the drama. Alls well that ends well and we wish all of them continued success on their musical journeys.
For more info on what Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel are doing, you can follow them on Facebook.
Shalamar really couldn’t survive without her but it sounds like they all had a lot of growing up to do.
Yeah there was a lot of internal chaos within the group, although I do think that each one of the members brought something very unique to the group: Jody had a very distinctive voice and also added a much needed female touch to the group, Howard Hewett brought very strong vocals to the group that were irreplaceable, and Jeffrey Daniel’s unique style of dancing and his charisma was also a really important element of Shalamar. That’s just my humble opinion though and I’m glad that each of them came together to give us some timeless classics. Thanks for joining the convo’ my friend.
Shalamar really couldn’t survive without her but it sounds like they all had a lot of growing up to do.
Yeah there was a lot of internal chaos within the group, although I do think that each one of the members brought something very unique to the group: Jody had a very distinctive voice and also added a much needed female touch to the group, Howard Hewett brought very strong vocals to the group that were irreplaceable, and Jeffrey Daniel’s unique style of dancing and his charisma was also a really important element of Shalamar. That’s just my humble opinion though and I’m glad that each of them came together to give us some timeless classics. Thanks for joining the convo’ my friend.
I don’t blame Jody Watley for leaving Shalamar (1977 – 1983) because she as a woman wasn’t getting any respect from her band mate (Howard Hewett & Jeffrey Daniel) and Dick Griffey (The Owner of Shalamar’s record label, Solar Records). They made wonderful music together but on the personal side they didn’t get along. One thing for sure is that their music they created together will always out last and outshine the turmoil times they were together as a trio! 8)
Homere I agree with you. While I truly miss the R&B magic that Shalamar (Jody, Howard and Jeffrey) were gracing us with, I don’t think they could have continued to create that magic if any of them weren’t happy being a part of the group any longer. So I guess Jody did what she felt she had to do, and I can’t knock her for that. I wish all of them the best and since they’re all cordial with each other now, maybe one day we will see all three of them reunited on stage again…although I’m sure that’s just wishful thinking on my part…LOL. Thanks for joining the convo’ my man.
I don’t blame Jody Watley for leaving Shalamar (1977 – 1983) because she as a woman wasn’t getting any respect from her band mate (Howard Hewett & Jeffrey Daniel) and Dick Griffey (The Owner of Shalamar’s record label, Solar Records). They made wonderful music together but on the personal side they didn’t get along. One thing for sure is that their music they created together will always out last and outshine the turmoil times they were together as a trio! 8)
Homere I agree with you. While I truly miss the R&B magic that Shalamar (Jody, Howard and Jeffrey) were gracing us with, I don’t think they could have continued to create that magic if any of them weren’t happy being a part of the group any longer. So I guess Jody did what she felt she had to do, and I can’t knock her for that. I wish all of them the best and since they’re all cordial with each other now, maybe one day we will see all three of them reunited on stage again…although I’m sure that’s just wishful thinking on my part…LOL. Thanks for joining the convo’ my man.
Whatever happened to the guy who was in the group before Howard?
Whatever happened to the guy who was in the group before Howard?