Booker Newbury III

Booker Newberry III (born January 19, 1956 in Youngstown, Ohio) is an American singer and keyboardist, who was a member of the mid 1970s soul groups Sweet Thunder ("Baby I Need Your Love Today"), and Impact, before pursuing a solo career. He is probably best remembered for his 1983 hit "Love Town".

Career

Newberry began his professional singing career in the group Mystic Nights around 1971. Moving to Philadelphia he became the lead singer of Sweet Thunder, which also included drummer John Aaron, bassist Rudell Alexander, and guitarist Charles Buie. Signing with the Philly-based record label WMOT Records, the group's single, "Baby I Need Your Love Today" b/w "I Don't Care What You Say," stirred interest and was picked up for distribution by Berkeley, California based Fantasy Records.

The group recorded three albums, Above The Clouds (1976), Sweet Thunder (1978), and Horizons (1979), the latter of which saw the single "I Leave You Stronger," go to #63 Billboard R&B chart in late 1979. Newberry joined another WMOT Records group, Impact, who was best known for the dance hits "Give a Broken Heart a Break" and "Rainy Days Stormy Nights."

Newberry signed with Neil Bogart's Casablanca Records in 1983, and his solo single "Love Town" originally released on the Boardwalk label, was a Top 10 UK hit. The Love Town album was issued the same year. He has also recorded for Malaco Records and Omni Records - (the LP Take a Piece of Me).

Discography

Albums

• Love Town (1983)
• Power People (1996)

Singles

• "I Get Romantic" (1982)
• "Love Town" (1983) - UK#6
• "Teddy Bear" (1983) - UK#44
• "Boom Boom" (1983)
• "Shadows" (1984)
• "Take A Piece Of Me" (1986)
• "Bad Luck" (1991)

Compilations

• Love Town (2005)