Representative Albums: "The Very Best of Imagination," "The Very Best of Imagination," "In the Heat of the Night"
Representative Songs: "Just an Illusion," "Music and Lights," "Body Talk"
Biography
Imagination were a trio from the U.K. that put a synthesized and often clubby spin on soul groups from the '70s. In fact, a couple of '70s groups have direct ties to Imagination; Leee John and Ashley Ingram spent time during that decade playing supportive roles in the Delfonics and Chairmen of the Board, prior to Imagination's formation. Along with drummer Errol Kennedy, vocalist John and bassist Ingram formed the group in 1981. By the end of that year, they already had their first album released and a minor hit in the form of that album's title track, "Body Talk." The group's second album, 1982's In the Heat of the Night, was their most successful, spawning a trio of U.S. R&B chart hits in the form of "Just an Illusion" (number 27), "Music and Lights" (number 52), and "Changes" (number 46). Those singles were even more popular in their home country, with the first pair reaching the Top Five. The remix collection Night Dubbing appeared the following year, as did the group's third proper album, Scandalous. The group's success fizzled until their mid-'90s breakup (at the time, Leee John was the only remaining original member), though 1984's "This Means War" was able to put a dent in the U.S. R&B chart. John remained active in the entertainment industry, hosting U.K. television programs and continuing his recording career as a solo artist and collaborator. Since the group's split, several compilations have been released; Music Club's The Very Best of Imagination is the best place to start. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Formed in 1981,[1] the trio took a demotape of a track called "Body Talk" to producersJolley & Swain. It was released as a single in April 1981 under the group name Imagination, a name that the group chose as a tribute to John Lennon. The track reached number 4 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1981, selling 250,000 copies in the UK and spending eighteen weeks in the Top 50. They had two more hit singles that year, "In and Out of Love" (September) and "Flashback" (November), both of which peaked at number 16, all from their debut album, also called Body Talk.
Their biggest hit, "Just an Illusion", peaked at number two in March 1982 ("Just an Illusion" would later be used as the end title song to the 1986 movie, F/X); followed by "Music and Lights" (number five in June), "In the Heat of the Night" (number 22 in September, also the name of their second album) and "Changes" (number 31 in December).[2] This was accompanied by a sell-out concert tour of Europe, with twenty two dates in the UK. The trio frequently appeared on BBC Television's Top of the Pops, and other pop musicTV programmes, with a distinctive exotic style, reminiscent of Roman senators, harem orderlies and slaves. John made a guest appearance on Doctor Who in 1983. They were also known for their esoteric album sleeve notes.
Following this the success of the group in the UK waned, but they continued to perform, tour and record until the early 1990s.[1] John went back to acting, but re-surfaced as a singer in the reality televisionshow, Reborn in the USA.
Ingram also enjoyed success as a songwriter for Des'ree. Kennedy still lives in London, and is in a band playing covers for weddings and functions, with his son, Spencer. John is currently working on a project documenting British black music.
