As Saturday, March 17, 2012 rapidly approaches, both band members and fans of the group, Ayre Rayde, are counting the days until the most anticipated reunion of the year will take place. Donald “Doc” Spencer, co-founder of the group along with his brother Daryl Spencer, promises that this will be like no other reunion that the DMV has seen. This reunion, which will be taking place at Camelot by Martin's in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has a purpose.
Spencer explains, “Our reunion was actually supposed to have taken place last year before the passing of my brother, Daryl M. Spencer, who was the manager of Ayre Rayde. He passed away on July 2, 2011 and the original members of Ayre Rayde decided to do the reunion in the memory of our manager, brother and friend on October 22, 2011. One of the former members of the group, Derrick “China Boogie” Davis suggested to the members of the group that it would also be an honor to the memory of Daryl, to utilize the reunion as a Benefit to assist kids that need musical instruments in the school as a way of furthering their education and opportunities upon graduation.”
The band members agreed to Davis’ suggestion and the group put the reunion on hold once more. In the interim, Davis had been elected to replace Leslie Johnson as Councilman of Prince Georges County, Maryland’s District 6. Davis introduced Spencer to Toni Lewis, the founder of the Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education, Inc. (FAME), a 501 ( c) (3), a non-profit organization whose mission, according to their website, www.fameorg.org, is to provide access to all genres of art to students in urban neighborhoods, who are often disproportionately affected by their social and economic backgrounds. FAME has also been dedicated to providing monetary scholarships to students to further their education in the arts whether it is for vocal or visual arts, dance, or theatre.
“The band agreed to set up a scholarship and memorial foundation in memory of Daryl M. Spencer and Ayre Rayde band. This organization, FAME, hits very close to home for the band members because they remember when they also didn’t have instruments. My mother, Ms. Lois Spencer-Tibbs, Daryl and myself made sure that we were all in this together for her sons and our friends. This kept us away from the negative stuff in the streets and she always knew that we were safe because we practiced in her house. My mom will be at the reunion to see the band, affectionately her ‘sons’, giving back to others as she did for all of us,” Spencer continues.
Hailing from District Heights and Capitol Heights of Prince George’s County, Maryland, Ayre Rayde was well known as Maryland’s first Go-Go band and solidified the Spencer family’s role as Maryland’s first family of Go-Go. The band was formed in 1979 and consisted of original members Lionel Perry, Adrian "Egg" Norton, Tim Evans, Donald "Doc" Spencer, "Shorty" Quinn Robinson, Kevin Wheeler, Melvin and Jay Taylor and Tim Proctor while Daryl Spencer served as manager. Ayre Rayde came into prominence with their 1985 hit “Sock It to Me” at which time some of the original members had moved on and other members had joined.
Former members of the group have gone on to play with a variety of successful bands. Spencer shares,“Adrian "Egg" Norton plays with a Jazz group called Phaze II, Keith Exum plays for Ebenezer, Kevin Wheeler plays with Divine Messengers, while Clarence‘Boolah’ Roper, who passed away in August 2007, played with Ledsi. Go-Go Mickey is an icon playing with Rare Essence and Chucky Thompson is a very successful producer now.”
The reunion will feature many of the originals as well as those who have played with the group over the years. Confirmed along with Spencer are Eddie Winslow, Jeff Wallace, Derrick “China Boogie” Davis, Adrian “Egg” Norton, Keith Exum, Ron Exum, William “Boogie” Dews, “Go-Go” Tim Evans, Paul“Rootie” Baltimore, Kermit Meredith, Andre James, Mike "Go-Go Mike" Simmons and Arvell “Cloudy” McLeod. Attendees of the reunion will relive the classic Ayre Rayde songs such as “Sock It To Me” and “Welcome to the Go-Go”, but will also be the first to hear Ayre Rayde’s new song “Cookie Jar”.
Serving the community is part of Ayre Rayde’s reputation. Back in 1987, at the height of the drug wars in DC, Ayre Rayde’s Shorty Jeff collaborated with luminaries such as Chuck Brown, former DC Mayor Marion Barry, Calvin Rolark who was the founder of the United Black Fund, Little Benny and representatives from other bands to draw attention and influence the community to stay away from drugs with the release of “Go-Go Drug Free”.
Spencer solidifies their position, “this song was to let the community know that we are well aware of the violence and drug issues in the city and we wanted to put out a positive message. It was also to let the people know that it isn’t the Go-Go groups who are promoting this behavior at all.”
For Ayre Rayde, hard work paid off. Spencer describes the bands style and mission. “What made us different was that we tried all types of music and didn't follow any group that was popular playing cover tunes. Most groups played the same cover songs based on the groups who were popular at that time. Like the other pioneering groups, we also got the foundation, which we called the pocket, from Grover Washington, Jr.’s song called ‘Mr. Magic’. We tried to be different by always being groomed, respectful, and trying all types of music. Most of our members knew their notes, chords, and scales from playing music in school.”
One influential local DJ at the time, Brut Bailey from WDJY 100.3, was very impressed with Ayre Rayde and a chance meeting brought the band notoriety. “Daryl, as the manager was very business minded and the word on the streets was that Ayre Rayde was a hot group. We were really following our own path. Tom Goldfogle and Becky Marcus of Liaison Records had legendary musician Al Johnson, do the arrangement on our hit ‘Sock It to Me’. Brut Bailey, who was doing the morning show at the time asked the band to come in for an interview. He was shocked that we were such young guys playing such jazzy Go-Go and he decided to use our song for his opening every morning.”
Bailey, who currently resides in California, states, “I would have to say that I positioned that song on DJ 100 because for the reason that it had an awful lot to do with its sound. “
Spencer remarks, “Ayre Rayde should be remembered as being Maryland’s Own #1 Go-Go Band and if any group played in Maryland, they would have to bring their ‘A-Game performance’ to compete with us. Also, that although Go-Go at the time was primarily a DC thing, Ayre Rayde put Go-Go in Maryland as a music genre as well.”
Ayre Rayde will also be remembered as the band who continuously gave back to the community. Again, the reunion is a Benefit concert to provide musical instruments and scholarships for area youth and all proceeds will go to FAME. Sponsorship levels range from $100 up to $10,000. The first 100 tickets will cost $45 and the pricing will increase thereafter. For more information on sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please contact FAME at (301) 805-5358. Details: Ayre Rayde Reunion, Benefit Concert featuring Ayre Rayde on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 9pm at Camelot by Martin’s, 13905 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
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