The Trammps

• Genre: Disco

About

This Philly band went through a number of name and line-up changes before emerging as the Trammps in the early 1970's. The band's first single was actually a cover of Judy Garland's "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" -- a far cry from the jubilant, celebratory sound the band is associated with. What separated the Trammps from their disco contemporaries was their incorporation of the famous "Philadelphia soul sound" (made popular by bands like the Spinners and the Stylistics) into their highly produced dance music. Yes, it was disco. But it was disco with a soulful, R&B base -- a far cry from disco poster boys, the Brothers Gibb. You loved disco for the Trammps. You hated it because of the Bee Gees.

- Linda Ryan