When I completed this interview with Mr. Darryl Gibbs, it took me back to my 80’s clubbing days and a fun time in my life, songs like the mega-monster hits “Body Music”, ” Inch By Inch“, “Dreaming A Dream, “Dancin” and “Foxy Lady” all come to mind. Those songs were some of the best we ever danced to, I am sure most people would agree!
A Songwriter, Musician, Composer and Record producer are the countless hats Darryl Gibbs wears. A brilliant and accomplished Artist from the legendary groups “Crown Heights Affair, “Made In The USA, and “The Strikers”. Mr. Gibbs career has expanded over 40 years and today he continues to produce music for Trezure Roxx Records. BackBeat R&B had the honor and pleasure of interviewing this multi-talented Artist.
BB: You are Darryl Gibbs from the legendary group“ Crown Heights Affair” and “The Strikers”, how did you get into the music business?
DG: I started playing music as a violin player in Junior High School. When I got to High School I switched to alto saxophone and started playing in local neighborhood bands. In the early 70″s, I was asked to join with another local band called Nue Dey Express which later became known as Crown Heights Affair. There, my professional recording career began.
The rest is history. I later left CHA and formed my own band called “Made In the USA” in the 70″s. That band evolved into The Strikers. Last year I was inducted into The Legends Of Vinyl Artists Hall of Fame for all 3 groups. I was indeed very proud to be honored in this way by my peers in the industry
BB: Besides the Saxophone, did you learn to play any other musical instruments?
DB: I started playing the violin, learned the saxophone, drums, guitar and a little keyboard which I used to write songs.
BB: Crown Heights Affair was originally known as Ben Iverson and the New Day Express, was there a particular reason for the name change?
DG: When CHA was reformed in the early 70″s, we decided to use a name that would reflect our Brooklyn roots so we decided to name the band “Crown Heights Affair” which is a section of Brooklyn.
BB: Who were some of your biggest musical influences and who inspired you the most?
DG: Growing up, I liked James Brown, Kool and The Gang, Motown Acts and R&B Soul Music. As far as saxophone, my father took my family to the Apollo Theater in Harlem to a Motown Show where I was inspired by Junior Walker and The Allstars to play the saxophone. He was my favorite!
BB: Darryl, you wear many hats, as a musician, producer, and VP of Treasure Roxx Records, what advice would you give our youth who are interested in making the music business a career versus a conventional job?
DG: My greatest advise that I would offer is, LEARN YOUR CRAFT! Take time to make a good product. Learn how to work and appreciate others you work with. MAKE SURE THIS IS REALLY WHAT YOU WANNA DO. You have to have a genuine love for the music that you are trying to do. You will have to spend a lot of time perfecting this, so you must be patient. Also, have something to fall back on to survive the wait.
BB: Do you write music and if so, did you write any songs for “Crown Heights Affair or “The Strikers“?
DG: Yes, I write songs. Some are: “It”s Me Who Loves You” and “Music Is The World” for Crown Heights Affair. “The Strikers,” I wrote “Body Music”, “Hold Onto The Feeling “and “Give It What You Got”. For my group “Made In USA“, I wrote, “Gotta Get High” among others.
BB: What would you say is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken in the music business?
DG: One of those regrets was leaving Crown Heights Affair to start another band called “Made In USA. Fortunately, I was still able to record with Crown Heights Affair on their albums in the studio as I am known for my horn arrangements. As fate would have it, after “Made in the USA” broke up, some remaining members became “The Strikers“!
BB: Do you have a Motto that our youth of today can live by should they choose a career in music?
DG: Yes my motto is HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS! This is the Business of Music. Whether it”s rehearsal, personal practice or being where you need to be HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS!
BB: What would you say is your biggest success in your musical career?
DG: Not only making a living but still here after all these years! Doing what I love to do, making music and still having fun. I have been able to travel and meet famous and interesting people.
BB: What is your favorite Crown Heights Affair and Strikers Song?
DG: My favorite Crown Heights Affair song is “Music Is The World” because that song actually laid the groundwork for the group’s horn sound. My favorite Strikers song will always be “Body Music” which is still a classic dance record to this day!!
BB: So what’s next for Darryl Gibbs, new music, releases, CDs, any tours with either group?
DG: My Future now is VP of Trezure Roxx Records along with my good friend and partner Tony Mack! Funkwave Dance Music, Smooth Hop Jazz, R&B Soul Music and most of all Gospel Praise with Mack and Gibbs!
I personally want to Thank Mr. Darryl Gibbs for giving me some insight into his career as a musician and allowing me to share it with the BackBeat R&B audience. I also want to congratulate him on being inducted into The Legends of Vinyl Artist Hall of Fame. Thank you for sharing your Talent with the world!
Check out his Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darryl.gibbs.10 and
FaceBook for Trezure Roxx https://www.facebook.com/trezureroxxrecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darryl.gibbs/
” THE MUSIC CORNER”
THE MUSIC NEVER STOPS AT TREZURE ROXX RECORDS
THE STRIKERS “BODY MUSIC”
CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR “DREAMING A DREAM”