Eruption

The group Eruption first assembled in London during 1974, built around vocalist Precious Wilson together with lead guitarist Greg Perrineau, bassist Morgan Perrineau, keyboardist Gerry Williams, and drummer Eric Kingsley. Born in Jamaica, Precious Wilson relocated to Great Britain with her family upon turning seven, while the remaining musicians hailed from scattered locales throughout the Caribbean and Africa. Victory in England’s RCA Soul Search Contest during 1975 earned the ensemble a recording contract, after which their debut single “Let Me Take You Back in Time” (1976) registered strongly on the soul charts. In 1977 Frank Farian, producer of Boney M., brought the band under his direction and secured their deal with Germany-based Hansa Records. The 1978 cover of “I Can’t Stand the Rain” became a major international success, peaking at number five in Britain and number eighteen in the United States—their sole U.S. Top 40 appearance—while the following year “One Way Ticket” reached number nine in the U.K. Precious Wilson exited in 1979 to launch a solo career and was succeeded by Kim Davies. Eruption dissolved in the mid-’80s, with Wilson remaining the only original member still performing; although established as a solo artist, she continues to appear under the Eruption name backed by her present musicians.