S.O.D. "Rubberband Man" by The Spinners

5/18/2015     The tradition of the one-man band is celebrated in this funky pop & soul number released in 1976.  Written by the song's producer Thom Bell and singer-songwriter Linda Creed, the song has to do with Bell's son who was being teased at school because of his weight.  The song evolved from being about the "Fat Man" to the "Rubberband Man" to improve the boys self image.  Eight vocalists are featured on the track with Philippe' Wynne taking the lead.  Instrumentation is provided by MFSB which stands for Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, A pool of more than 30 session musicians who worked out of the famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and would back such groups as Wilson Pickett, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and many others.  

     The hit tune has been used in a few films including Stripes and also for sporting events. Cover versions include Detroit rock band Electric Six, Canadian singer Tamara Silvera, Lynda Carter on the Muppet show, Tina Turner on the Brady Bunch and African musician, businessman and politician Youssou N' Dour who Rolling Stone described as the greatest Singer alive in Senegal and much of Africa.  On the charts it ranked at #16 in the UK, #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the US Hot Soul Singles.  

     The Spinners originated in Detroit Michigan as an R&B vocal quintet in 1954 and are still active today with Henry Fambrough being the only original member. They are also known as the Detroit Spinners and the Motown Spinners using these names in the UK to avoid confusion with a British group called The Spinners.  This should probably be my theme song.