Ollie & Jerry
Encyclopedia
Ollie & Jerry was an American
dance-pop
duo
active in the 1980s, consisting of drummer
Ollie E. Brown
and R&B singer Jerry Knight
.
Despite releasing no studio album
s under their own name, they are still widely known for their hit single "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us
", a dance
-influenced track which became a top 10 hit in both the United States
and the United Kingdom
, and was featured as the theme to the film Breakin'
and released on its accompanying soundtrack. However, the group disbanded in mid-1985, after the release of their second single "Electric Boogaloo
". As a result, "Electric Boogaloo" failed to repeat the success of "Breakin'..." and the duo is widely considered a one-hit wonder
.
s, with Knight also being a member of R&B group Raydio
. The two formed Ollie & Jerry in Los Angeles
, California
in 1984, signing to Polydor Records
. The duo recorded the song "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us
" as the title theme to the 1984 film Breakin'
, and released as the first single from the film's soundtrack album. The single became a hit, peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart
at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1984. The group then did some promotion for the song, performing on the syndicated television program Soul Train
in the midst of the success of the song. The Breakin' soundtrack went on to peak at #8 on the US Billboard 200
albums chart.
The following year, the duo released the single "Electric Boogaloo", the title theme to the Breakin' sequel Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
. The single did fairly well on the UK Singles Chart
, peaking at #57 on the chart. However, the song failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100; it did however, find some minor success on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
and Hot Dance Club Play
charts, peaking at the positions of #45 and #43 respectively. After the song's release, the duo split in mid-1985.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
active in the 1980s, consisting of drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Ollie E. Brown
Ollie E. Brown
Ollie E. Brown is an American drummer, percussionist and record producer. A prolific session musician, Brown has performed on over a hundred albums in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Brown was also half of the American dance-pop duo Ollie & Jerry, which had a Top 10 hit with "Breakin'.....
and R&B singer Jerry Knight
Jerry Knight
Jerry Knight was an American R&B vocalist and bassist in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Along with Ray Parker Jr., he was a founding member of the group Raydio, singing vocals on their early hit, "Jack and Jill"...
.
Despite releasing no studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s under their own name, they are still widely known for their hit single "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us
Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us
"Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" is a dance-pop song by American music duo Ollie & Jerry. Released in 1984 as a single from the soundtrack to the film Breakin, the song reached No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. It is the theme song to the film Breakin...
", a dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
-influenced track which became a top 10 hit in both the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and was featured as the theme to the film Breakin'
Breakin'
Breakin', released as Breakdance: The Movie in some countries, is a 1984 breakdancing-themed film directed by Joel Silberg. The film setting was inspired by a German documentary entitled Breakin' and Enterin set in the Los Angeles multi-racial hip hop club Radiotron, based out of Macarthur Park in...
and released on its accompanying soundtrack. However, the group disbanded in mid-1985, after the release of their second single "Electric Boogaloo
Electric Boogaloo (song)
"Electric Boogaloo" is a dance-pop song by American music duo Ollie & Jerry. Released in late 1984 as the lead single from the soundtrack to the film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, the song reached number 45 on the R&B chart.- Background :...
". As a result, "Electric Boogaloo" failed to repeat the success of "Breakin'..." and the duo is widely considered a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
.
History
Ollie Brown and Jerry Knight had previously worked together as session musicianSession musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
s, with Knight also being a member of R&B group Raydio
Raydio
Raydio was an American funk and R&B vocal group formed in 1977, by Ray Parker Jr., with Vincent Bohnam, Jerry Knight, and Arnell Carmichael.-Career:...
. The two formed Ollie & Jerry in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1984, signing to Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. The duo recorded the song "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us
Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us
"Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" is a dance-pop song by American music duo Ollie & Jerry. Released in 1984 as a single from the soundtrack to the film Breakin, the song reached No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. It is the theme song to the film Breakin...
" as the title theme to the 1984 film Breakin'
Breakin'
Breakin', released as Breakdance: The Movie in some countries, is a 1984 breakdancing-themed film directed by Joel Silberg. The film setting was inspired by a German documentary entitled Breakin' and Enterin set in the Los Angeles multi-racial hip hop club Radiotron, based out of Macarthur Park in...
, and released as the first single from the film's soundtrack album. The single became a hit, peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1984. The group then did some promotion for the song, performing on the syndicated television program Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
in the midst of the success of the song. The Breakin
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
albums chart.
The following year, the duo released the single "Electric Boogaloo", the title theme to the Breakin
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo is the 1984 sequel to the breakdancing film Breakin. It was first released in the same year as its predecessor by TriStar Pictures, and by Cannon Films the year after...
. The single did fairly well on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, peaking at #57 on the chart. However, the song failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100; it did however, find some minor success on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
and Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
charts, peaking at the positions of #45 and #43 respectively. After the song's release, the duo split in mid-1985.
Singles
- "Breakin'... There's No Stopping UsBreakin'... There's No Stopping Us"Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" is a dance-pop song by American music duo Ollie & Jerry. Released in 1984 as a single from the soundtrack to the film Breakin, the song reached No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. It is the theme song to the film Breakin...
" (1984) #9 USBillboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, #5 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... - "Electric BoogalooElectric Boogaloo (song)"Electric Boogaloo" is a dance-pop song by American music duo Ollie & Jerry. Released in late 1984 as the lead single from the soundtrack to the film Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, the song reached number 45 on the R&B chart.- Background :...
" (1985) #57 UK