This group, known originally as just "The Blazers," was the backing band for the O'Jay's in the mid sixties, and based out of Buffalo, NY. The story goes that, while on tour, the Blazers got stranded in Phoenix, AZ when the O'Jay's could no longer afford to support their travel and high-tailed it back East without them. Now involuntarily based out of Pheonix, Mr. Arlester "Dyke" Christian, who had been providing bass and backup vox for the 'Jay's, re-organized the group and stepped up to lead vocals to flesh out this song to accompany the dance of the same name he had created. Originally released on Phoenix's Artco (not Atco) Records, the song, and group, was picked up by the famous Art Laboe and his Original Sounds Records in L.A. after it became quite popular on airwaves across the SouthWest. "Funky Broadway" got so popular that in '67 Wilson Pickett did a version that pulled even more mainstream attention.
A string of killer singles on Original Sound followed, and most of them are fairly easy to obtain. Of the group's singles, many were two-parters, and it was rumored that 15-20 minute sessions were edited down to fit on a 45 face to make the singles. It is also said that the Blazers were one of the first groups to use the term "funk" in terms of genre. Dyke and the Blazers formed in 1964, and disbanded in 1971 when Dyke was shot down in the street on March 13, 1971 in Phoenix. He was 28.
A string of killer singles on Original Sound followed, and most of them are fairly easy to obtain. Of the group's singles, many were two-parters, and it was rumored that 15-20 minute sessions were edited down to fit on a 45 face to make the singles. It is also said that the Blazers were one of the first groups to use the term "funk" in terms of genre. Dyke and the Blazers formed in 1964, and disbanded in 1971 when Dyke was shot down in the street on March 13, 1971 in Phoenix. He was 28.
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