Foxy was a high-energy disco, funk, and Latin band that emerged from Miami in the late 1970s. Their music blended Afro-Cuban rhythms, dance-floor grooves, and catchy hooks. Best known for their 1978 hit “Get Off,” Foxy became a short-lived but unforgettable presence in the disco era.
They delivered several dancefloor favorites before disbanding in the early 1980s. Fronted by the charismatic Ish Ledesma, the band included musicians with strong ties to Latin music and funk.
| Artist | Foxy |
|---|---|
| Origin | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Years Active | 1976–1980 |
| Genres | Disco, Funk, Latin, Dance |
| Key Members | Ish Ledesma (vocals/guitar), Richie Puente (percussion), Charlie Murciano (keyboards), Arnold Paseiro (bass), Joe Galdo (drums), Carl Driggs (vocals), Gary Ortiz (vocals) |
| Biggest Hit | “Get Off” (1978) – #5 Billboard Hot 100, #1 R&B |
| Record Labels | T.K. Records |
| Legacy | Helped define Latin-disco fusion; influential in Miami’s music scene |
How Foxy Got Started
Foxy formed in 1976 in Miami, Florida. The founding lineup included:
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Ish “Angel” Ledesma (lead vocals and guitar), a Cuban-born musician raised in Miami.
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Richie Puente (percussion), son of Latin jazz legend Tito Puente.
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Joe Galdo (drums).
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Arnold Paseiro (bass).
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Charlie Murciano (keyboards).
Session work brought them together. They were all musicians who played for TK Records, a Florida-based label known for disco hits. TK founder Henry Stone gave Ledesma permission to form a band from session players. That group became Foxy. In the beginning, they mostly backed other artists and played live shows to make extra money.
The Early Years and First Recordings
Foxy released their self-titled debut album in 1976. While the album didn’t chart nationally, the single “People Fall in Love While Dancing” gained some regional traction. Their early music followed the glossy disco style popular in clubs, and they placed some singles on the dance charts:
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“Get Off Your Aaahh! and Dance” (1976) – Dance chart #16
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“The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1977) – Dance chart #5
These tracks helped build momentum, but it wasn’t until 1978 that Foxy broke through in a major way.
Breakthrough: The Album Get Off (1978)
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Foxy’s second album, Get Off, released in 1978, changed everything. With a tighter, funkier sound and stronger Latin influences, the album stood out. The title track, “Get Off,” became a huge crossover hit:
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Billboard Hot 100: #5
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Billboard R&B: #1
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Dance Chart: #18
The Get Off album itself also performed well:
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Billboard 200 Albums: #12
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Billboard R&B Albums: #3
Co-written by Ish Ledesma and Carl Driggs, “Get Off” featured powerful percussion, catchy vocal chants, and an irresistible groove. It became the signature hit that defined the band’s career.
Continued Success and Decline
After the success of Get Off, Foxy quickly released new material to maintain momentum.
1979: Hot Numbers
Their third album, Hot Numbers, came out in 1979. The lead single, “Hot Number,” reached:
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Hot 100: #21
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Dance chart: #26
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R&B chart: #4
Though the album had modest success, it didn’t match the explosive performance of Get Off.
1979: Party Boys
Later in 1979, Foxy released a fourth studio album, Party Boys. The title track climbed to #24 on the dance chart. However, follow-up singles like “Headhunter” and “Devil Boogie” failed to chart significantly. These releases showed that the disco wave was starting to fade.
Minor Hits and a Live Album
Foxy released a few non-album singles during this time:
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“Don’t Stop” (1979) – Dance #39
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“RRRRRRock” – Dance #66, R&B #4
In 1980, the group issued a live album, simply titled Live, capturing their stage energy. By then, however, their popularity had cooled, and the band eventually broke up.
What Made “Get Off” So Iconic?
“Get Off” stood out during the disco boom thanks to its heavy percussion, bilingual lyrics, and raw energy. It was less polished than many disco songs of the time, which made it feel authentic. The track’s irresistible beat and call-and-response vocals made it a staple in clubs. It also reflected the Miami sound: a blend of funk, disco, and Latin rhythms.
Life After Foxy
Ish Ledesma
Ledesma wasted no time after Foxy. He had already launched his solo career in 1979 with a self-titled album. The single “Don’t Stop” became another dancefloor hit.
In the 1980s, he formed the band Oxo, known for their 1983 single “Whirly Girl.” Then in 1986, he released his second solo album, On This Corner.
Ledesma also found success behind the scenes. He worked with major acts like ABBA on “Voulez Vous” and R&B artist Latimore on “Goodbye Heartache.” As a producer and songwriter, he collaborated with:
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Apollonia
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Dazz Band
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Lisa B
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Noel
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Promise Circle
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Blue Moderne
In 1996, he formed Company B, a freestyle group that included his wife and sister. Their hit “Fascinated” became a club anthem.
Today, Ledesma still lives in Florida, where he continues producing and performing.
Carl Driggs
Carl Driggs, who co-wrote “Get Off” and became a key vocalist for Foxy, had also been a member of the band Kracker. Supported by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Kracker toured Europe with The Rolling Stones and performed with legends like:
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Chuck Berry
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Styx
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Sly and the Family Stone
Driggs continued performing after Foxy, including fronting the popular group Paul Revere & the Raiders for many years until his death in 2017.
Richie Puente
Richie Puente passed away in 2004 at the age of 51 after a long illness related to injuries from an assault. As the son of Tito Puente, he helped bring authentic Latin flavor to Foxy’s sound. His percussion work was crucial to the band’s identity.
Foxy’s Legacy
Foxy’s time in the spotlight was short, but their impact was lasting. “Get Off” remains one of the definitive Latin-disco tracks of the era. Their blend of rhythms and multicultural influence helped pave the way for Latin crossover acts in the decades that followed.
They also showcased Miami’s growing reputation as a music hub, years before the explosion of Latin pop and freestyle music in the 1980s and ’90s.