Formed in Los Angeles under the name inspired by the green substance that sapped Superman’s powers, the group featured keyboardist Kerry Gordy, Berry Gordy’s son, along with drummer Lenny Greene, who had taken over for Chico Ross, Diana Ross’s brother; bassist Cliff Liles, Raynoma Gordy-Singleton’s son; Benny Medina handling vocals and bongos; and guitarist Larry Robinson.
The musicians first attracted notice playing small clubs throughout the city until Raynoma Gordy-Singleton, known as Miss Ray, took charge of refining and preparing them for the studio. After she submitted a demo, Motown offered a contract in 1978. At the same moment the label was developing another self-contained act, Switch, leaving Kryptonite to compete for promotional resources against that band and Motown’s entire roster.
Creators of Superman blocked continued use of the name, forcing a change to Apollo. Under Miss Ray’s direction the band recorded the self-titled Apollo for Gordy Records in 1979; its only single, “Astro Disco,” had originally been titled “Krypto Disco.” Television appearances on Soul Train and similar dance shows, plus coverage in major music publications, generated momentum, and the group accepted a two-month club engagement in Japan while anticipating work on a follow-up album.
Motown suddenly withdrew support, ending those plans. Speculation later suggested Berry Gordy may have preferred his son pursue college instead. Apollo altered its personnel and resurfaced in the 1980s as Kagny & the Dirty Rats, now without Benny Medina, who had moved into a prominent role as a record executive.
