Klymaxx is an all female R&B\pop band from Los Angeles, California which formed in 1979. The band was formed by singer\drummer Bernadette Cooper, who chose the name.
The other members of the band consisted of singer Lorena Porter, singer\bassist Joyce Irby, guitarist Cheryl Cooley, and keyboardists Lynn Malsby & Robbin Grider.
The first line-up consisted of Bernadette, Lynn, Cheryl, Lorena, guitarist Ann Williams, bassist Denise Walk & Cheryl McLennen on congas.
Denise and Cheryl were later replaced by Joyce, who released a single called "Funk’s Gone Crazy b/w A Wild And Crazy Song" in 1980 on T.K. Records under the name "Fenderella" which came from the fact that Joyce played the Fender bass guitar. Percussionist Judy Takeuchi and Robbin joined the lineup.
In 1981, the band signed to Solar Records and they released their debut album "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman."
The title song managed to peak at #74 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.
Another single "I Want to Love You Tonight" was released as a promo, but didn't chart. Sadly, following the release of their debut album, the band had to deal with the loss of their close friend and benefactor, Cissi Nash, who suddenly passed away.
In 1982, Klymaxx released their second album "Girls Will Be Girls" and became the first music act to work with legendary music producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
The only single to chart was "Wild Girls" which managed to peak at #78 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks. After that, Ann was dropped from the band by the record label.
A third album "Girls in the Band" was scheduled to be released in 1983, but it looks like that it was never released, despite being officially listed in their album discographies.
The only single from the album "Multi-Purpose Girls" made it to official release. Klymaxx later signed to Constellation Records and Judy left the group, reducing the band to Bernadette, Lorena, Cheryl, Lynn and Robbin.
On November 30, 1984, Klymaxx released their fourth album "Meeting in the Ladies Room." The album peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The first single "The Men All Pause" peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and #5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 23 weeks.
The music video gained airplay on MTV, VH1 and BET.
The second single "Meeting in the Ladies Room" peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #22 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and #4 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.
The third single from the album "I Miss You" became their biggest hit to date, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, #11 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks and #89 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The song was written and produced by Lynn Malsby and helped the album reach Platinum status. It became the 3rd biggest song on Billboard's Year-End chart for 1986.
The last single from the album "Lock and Key" missed the Hot 100, but managed to peak at #47 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.
It was rumored that a fifth single "Video Kid" was supposed to be released, but it was denied because the band was already set to release their next album.
In 1986, Klymaxx released their fifth self-titled album which peaked at #98 on the Billboard 200 and #25 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The first single "Man Sized Love" peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, #18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, #43 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks and #86 on the U.K. Singles chart. The song was featured on the "Running Scared" movie soundtrack.
The second single "Sexy" peaked at #36 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #18 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. The song was written & produced by Bernadette Cooper and George Clinton.
The third single "I'd Still Say Yes" peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, #8 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, and #7 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song helped the album reach Gold status.
The last single released from the album "Divas Need Love Too" peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.
By 1987, Bernadette and Joyce left Klymaxx for solo careers. Bernadette formed a group calld Madame X and in 1990, she released her solo album "Drama According to Bernadette Cooper."
In 1989, Joyce released her solo album "Maximum Thrust" and also wrote the song "I Will Always Love You" for R&B group, Troop. By that same year, the band was down to a trio: Lorena, Cheryl and Robbin.
In 1990, Klymaxx released their sixth album "The Maxx is Back" which peaked at #168 on the Billboard 200 and #32 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
Drummer Maria Martinez joined the band after Bernadette left and was featured on the album. She performed & toured with the band during that time.
The first single "Good Love" peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #4 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks and #89 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The follow-up single from the album "Private Party" peaked at #62 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks. After that, Klymaxx disbanded.
Lorena provided backup vocals for albums such as Stacye & Kimiko, Mazarati, the S.O.S. Band, and on Joyce's solo album.
Joyce has produced music for artists such as Carrie Lucas, Dynasty, Princess & Starbreeze, Troop, Doc Box & B. Fresh, Glasswurk, Lateasha, and Ricca.
Bernadette continued to write and produce music for other artists such as Shalamar, Mazarati and Dolly Parton.
She also produced rap group Salt N' Pepa's song "I Am The Body Beautiful" for the soundtrack to the film "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar."
In 1994, Klymaxx reunited with Cheryl, Robbin and Lorena. Replacing Bernadette on drums was Terri Lyne Carrington.
They released their seventh album "One Day" on Joyce's 1869 EP Wreckudz label. The single "All I Think About Is You" was written by Babyface.
In 2002, Cheryl fronted her own band, "Asselah" and they released their only album, "Jan-Jam."
In 2003, five of the six members from the classic Klymaxx lineup (except for Robbin Grider) met up on an episode of the VH1 series "
Bands Reunited" in order to perform some of their vintage hit singles, but due to the unauthorized use & attempted trademark of the Klymaxx name by Cheryl Cooley caused disagreements with the rest of the band (particularly with Bernadette) resulted in Cheryl not reuniting or performing with her former bandmates on the show.
On November 15, 2009, all six original members appeared on the TV One cable network documentary series "
Unsung" which chronicled their rise to fame.
These days, Cheryl Cooley is perforing with her own version of Klymaxx consisting of new members Danielle, Leah, Lisa, Amy, Vicki, & Robin under the name "Klymaxx featuring Guitarist Cheryl Cooley."
Cheryl also has a band called “UnRuley Cooley" which formed in 2007 that consists of Cheryl, Danielle, Amy, Rose, and April. They have released an EP called "My Way This Time" which is available on iTunes.
Bernadette Cooper currently works an songwriter for EMI and is producing, writing, & touring alongside Joyce Irby and Lorena Porter (now Lorena Stewart). They are planning on releasing a new album called "Real Divas Never Die."
Bernadette, Joyce and Lorena continue to perform together. In 2009, the trademark issue with the name "Klymaxx" was finally settled.
Joyce launched the career of R&B singer, Lloyd (who was a former member of teen pop group, N-Toon whom Joyce put together and signed to Dreamworks Records in the mid-'90s).
Lynn Malsby currently works for Macintosh (aka Apple, Inc). She was also involved with an organization called Silverlake Dog Park Association in Los Angeles, California and was the senior editor for the organization's monthly newsletter, "The Leak."
Robbin Grider is maintaining a private life outside of the music biz. As of the early 2000s, Judy Takeuchi was working for Universal Studios. Ann Williams has retired from the music business and now lives a quiet family life.
Maria Martinez is the creator, leader, & lead professor of a curriculum for Latin drumming at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, California and is also a successful author & prominent member of various organizations related to the performing arts & education.
Terri Lyne Carrington has had a moderately successful career in music & education.
To see the website for "Klymaxx featuring Guitarist Cheryl Cooley," go to:
To see Klymaxx's MySpace page, go to:
To see Terri Lyne Carrington's official website, go to:
http://www.terrilynecarrington.com/
To see the music video for "The Men All Pause," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34QVPwRLRKU&ob
To see the music video for "Meeting in the Ladies Room," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_odTlZaoLCA
To see the music video for "I Miss You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvlhHJNppQg
To see the music video for "Private Party," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9b84YhISYQ
To see the music video for "Man Sized Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqnR7V1xEcE
To see the music video for "Good Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2xWXYfvDWg
To see the music video for "All I Think About Is You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d63NgPLgXX0
To see the music video for "Sexy," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi1zbSBcv7w
To see a fan-made video for "I'd Still Say Yes," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrwjRjp8Whs
To see a fan-made video for "Lock and Key," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9B1IMVKGY8
To see a fan-made video for "Divas Need Love Too," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Azsa8r1jI
To see a fan-made video for "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYIs4JzV9AY
To see a fan-made video for "Wild Girls," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD-tXhQzNbc
To see a fan-made video for "Multi-Purpose Girls," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am_5z9X0Bjk
[Updated on 04\04\12]
Madame X was an all-girl R&B group from Los Angeles that consisted of members Alisa Randolph, Iris Parker, and Valerie Victoria (born Valerie Victoria McIntosh).
The Jets is a family band from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
