Introduction
Starland Vocal Band is a now-defunct American pop and country band, known for their biggest hit “Afternoon Delight” during the 70s music era, where it topped the US Billboard Hot 100. Although they had minor hits such as “California Day” and “The Light of My Life,” Starland Vocal Band is most considered a one hit wonder. A little bit more about Starland Vocal Band in this article.
Formation
Starland Vocal Band had its roots in Fat City, a husband-and-wife musical duo formed by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert. They co-wrote the song “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” and then “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with John Denver, which became a hit for the latter in 1971.
Fat City recorded two more albums, and changed their name to Bill & Taffy where they released a couple of more records before forming the Starland Vocal Band. To add their lineup, Danoff and Nivert included keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Jon Carroll and singer Margot Chapman.
Success with “Afternoon Delight”
The group released their eponymous debut album in 1976. It included the single “Afternoon Delight,” written by Danoff. The song’s distinctive vocal harmony became the song’s selling point and its sexually suggestive lyrics caught the fancy of the listeners during that time.
Released on Windsong label, “Afternoon Delight” rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in 1976. It also went to #1 on the Canadian RPM top singles. At year’s end, “Afternoon Delight” peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The success of the song also helped Starland Vocal Band to be nominated for four Grammy Awards, where they won two: one for “Best New Artist” and “Best Arrangement for Voices (duo, group or chorus)” in 1977.
After the hit
Starland Vocal Band released the follow up album Rear View Mirror in 1977 but it didn’t come as successful as their first album. Their third album Late Nite Radio also failed to chart. After scoring their last charting single “Loving You with My Eyes” the group disbanded. In the wake of the band’s split, the Danoffs divorced; Carroll and Chapman, who had also married while still being members of the band, later divorced as well.
Each of the four members went to embark their own solo careers, but they would never be able to attain the success of their song “Afternoon Delight,” which has now become an oldies music classic.