Biography
Heavily shaped by the sound of Labelle and the Pointer Sisters, Stargard emerged as an R&B vocal trio whose defining moment arrived with the theme song for the 1977 film Which Way Is Up. Rochelle Runnells, Debra Anderson, and Janice Williams—the group’s original lineup—rejected the airy, delicate style associated with the Supremes and the Three Degrees. Instead they delivered powerful, forceful vocals that infused their funk, soul, and disco material with gospel fervor.
The trio joined MCA in 1977, and its debut single, Norman Whitfield’s driving “Theme from 'Which Way Is Up,'” quickly reached the top of the R&B singles chart. Early the following year the self-titled Stargard album appeared, after which MCA issued the follow-up What You Waitin' For later in 1978. Its energetic title track, also penned by Whitfield, climbed into the R&B Top Ten, yet the group’s commercial fortunes soon faded. In 1979 Stargard switched to Warner Bros. and released The Changing of the Guard, produced by Robert Wright alongside Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire—Maurice White’s brother—and featuring the single “Wear It Out.” Despite its strong potential, the album failed to achieve the success it seemed destined for.
Anderson departed in 1980, prompting Runnells and Williams to continue as a duo rather than recruit a new member. In that configuration they recorded the 1981 Norman Whitfield-produced Back 2 Back for Warner Bros. and the 1982 release Nine Lives, which Runnells herself produced, for MCA. Both projects attracted minimal notice, and Stargard disbanded in 1983.
The trio joined MCA in 1977, and its debut single, Norman Whitfield’s driving “Theme from 'Which Way Is Up,'” quickly reached the top of the R&B singles chart. Early the following year the self-titled Stargard album appeared, after which MCA issued the follow-up What You Waitin' For later in 1978. Its energetic title track, also penned by Whitfield, climbed into the R&B Top Ten, yet the group’s commercial fortunes soon faded. In 1979 Stargard switched to Warner Bros. and released The Changing of the Guard, produced by Robert Wright alongside Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire—Maurice White’s brother—and featuring the single “Wear It Out.” Despite its strong potential, the album failed to achieve the success it seemed destined for.
Anderson departed in 1980, prompting Runnells and Williams to continue as a duo rather than recruit a new member. In that configuration they recorded the 1981 Norman Whitfield-produced Back 2 Back for Warner Bros. and the 1982 release Nine Lives, which Runnells herself produced, for MCA. Both projects attracted minimal notice, and Stargard disbanded in 1983.
Albums
