Champaign (band)

Champaign
Origin	Champaign, Illinois, United States
Genres	R&B, Soft rock
Years active	1981–1984, 1990
Past members
Pauli Carman Rena Day Michael Day Dana Walden Michael Reed Rocky Maffitt Howard Reeder

Champaign was a 1980s United States R&B band with adult contemporary leanings, best known for their 1981 hit, "How 'Bout Us."

Career

The mixed-race septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones (later Day) on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Leon Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffitt on percussion/drums. The title track from their 1981 album, How 'Bout Us, was a hit single, reaching #5 in the UK Singles Chart,^[1] and on the US Billboard R&B chart (also #12 US Billboard Hot 100). Their second album, Modern Heart, was released in 1983 and contained the Top 10 R&B track "Try Again" (also #23 US Pop). Another follow-up, 1984's Woman in Flames, included the Top 10 R&B song "Off and On Love." Other songs include "Party People" and "Walkin'".

In the mid 1980s Carman left the band to begin a solo career. He released his first solo album, Dial My Number in 1986, scoring an R&B hit with the title track. His second album, It's Time was released the following year. This follow-up effort proved less successful.

In 1990, Champaign (including Carman) reconvened to record, and the Champaign IV album was released the following year. While it was not a hit, it did herald a brief return to the US R&B chart with the single, "Trials of the Heart."

Former band member Michael Day died of cancer in 2001.

In 2003, a greatest hits compilation album was released that included most of the group's hits, though several (most notably "Try Again") were absent.

Pauli Carman continues to record as a solo artist and under the group name. The Carma album, released in 2008, included original songs along with a remake of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" and the Stevie Wonder track "I Love, I Love". His latest album, Get Back 2 Love, released in 2010, included a remaster of "How 'Bout Us". The title track "Get Back 2 Love" made reference to Champaign's top hits. Also in 2010, Carman released the single "Mercy", a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit "Mercy Mercy Me". Carman's single was to assist those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of the proceeds was donated to various agencies assisting with the clean up and restoration in the area.

In November 2010, Carman produced The Pauli Carman Show (a TV pilot online show).

Discography

Studio albums

• 1981: How Bout Us?
• 1983: Modern Heart
• 1984: Woman in Flames
• 1991: Champaign IV

Compilation albums

• 2003: Greatest Hits
• 2009: Carma
• 2010: Get Back 2 Love

References

1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 99. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 

External links

• Champaign — official website
• Champaign (band) at Allmusic
• Rock'n Roll Star at MusicBrainz