Biography
Woody Cunningham built his reputation as both a drummer and singer while fronting the 1980s funk outfit Kleeer, where he also handled production duties on several standout tracks. Drawing from deep experience across soul, rock, disco, and funk, he later pursued an independent solo path during the 1990s. His professional journey began in 1971 when he joined the vocal ensemble the Choice Four on drums. The following year he relocated to New York and co-founded the black heavy metal group Pipeline alongside bassist Norman Durham, keyboardist Richard Lee, and percussionist Paul Crutchfield. His drumming skills quickly made him a sought-after session player throughout the city’s disco circuit, contributing to recordings by Sylvester, Faith, Hope & Charity, Disco Tex & the Sexolettes, and Candido for Salsoul Records. While working at the label, Cunningham encountered vocalist Jocelyn Brown, who recognized his vocal potential and encouraged him to take the lead microphone, prompting his transition into singing. In 1976 Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael recruited a touring unit for the Universal Robot Band; Cunningham and Brown accepted the assignment, enjoyed the collaboration, and decided to continue under the new name Kleeer. Atlantic Records signed the band in 1978, resulting in seven albums issued between 1979 and 1986. During that span Cunningham produced such signature cuts as “Keep Your Body Working,” “Open Your Mind,” “Take Your Heart Away,” and “Intimate Connection.” Remaining without a label deal, he lent his talents to projects involving Luther Vandross, Narada Michael Walden, Kashif, Lisa Fischer, Meli'sa Morgan, Nile Rodgers, and Martha Wash. In the early 1990s Andy “Madhatter” Holmes requested demo tapes from Cunningham, which ultimately yielded the 1994 single “Oooh With You,” issued jointly with Paul Crutchfield on the Manchester imprint Old English. While visiting the U.K. for promotional duties, Cunningham recorded his debut solo album Never Say Never—an ’80s-inflected collection of R&B and funk—with producers Andy Holmes, Steve Christian, and Si Brad; Expansion released the project in 1997. Two years later the label issued the follow-up Universal Love, a smoother effort marked by jazz accents.
Albums
