Alton McClain & Destiny

Formed in Los Angeles during 1978, the female R&B vocal trio Alton McClain & Destiny drew heavy inspiration from the Emotions when lead singer Alton McClain, whose timbre carried a Deniece Williams-like quality, joined forces with backup vocalists D'Marie Warren and Robyrda Stiger. The group secured a contract with Polydor that same year, and the label enlisted Frank E. Wilson to oversee production of their first album. Released early in 1979 under the title Alton McClain & Destiny, the project was soon reissued as It Must Be Love, which also served as the name of their debut single that reached the Top Ten on Billboard's R&B singles chart. The trio proved to be one-hit wonders, however, as their 1980 follow-up More of You, produced by Wilson alongside John Footman, attracted minimal interest. That release marked their final effort; Polydor/PolyGram dropped them in 1980, and the members disbanded the following year. McClain later married producer Skip Scarborough. Alton McClain & Destiny should not be confused with the late '80s heavy metal band Destiny, the lesbian/women's music trio Destiny, or the '90s rapper Destiny.