The Gyrlz

The Gyrlz (sometimes referred to as simply "Gyrlz") was the first genuine New Jill Swing act.

Formation

The Gyrlz was formed in the USA in 1987 by Terri, Monica and Tara. Its initial demo tapes were produced by Teddy Riley and Kyle West. `When we recorded our demos with Teddy he was still living in the St. Nicholas Projects in Harlem. Those were the good old days' remembers Terri.

Recording History

The Gyrlz met Uptown Records' mainman Andre Harrell, who asked them, via the intervention of Heavy D, to record an album. They enjoyed minor success with "Wishing You Were Here", before joining Al B. Sure as backing singers on his Heartbreak tour. From there they became the opening act for Bobby Brown and New Edition.

Breakup

The band split up at the end of the Heartbreak tour. `We were lost rebels without much of a cause and with nowhere to go' is how Monica painfully records the experience.

Reformation

Terri returned to New York, briefly singing for Key West, another Uptown band who never released an album, before moving back to Philadelphia. There she decided to reunite with Monica, as Terri And Monica, with Tara becoming their manager. They were back up singers for several acts at the Uptown/MCA record company in the late 80's. Teddy Riley and Kyle West produced their demo tape.

Rarity of Album

The Gyrlz "Love Me Or Leave Me" is a very rare hard to find CD.Fact|date=February 2007 It is even harder to find on vinyl or cassette. Some copies of this CD have sold between $60-$200 on ebay.Fact|date=February 2007 Because of its rarity, bootlegs have circulated around the internet.Fact|date=February 2007 It is rumoured that one of the members of The Gyrlz doesn't even own a copy.Fact|date=February 2007

Discography