Hamilton Bohannon is one of the most important figures in disco, house, and up tempo dance music. Born in Newman, Georgia on March 7th 1942 Hamilton was hired by Stevie Wonder as his touring drummer in 1965 and moved to detroit. He was quickly hired as an arranger and producer by Motown president Bary Gordy. Hamilton enjoyed mixed reviews at motown as was remember by Motown's house band "the Wrecking Crew" as "a little weird."

Hamilton did have a hit though, a 1965 collaboration with a 15 year old girl named Carolyn Crawford "My smile's just a frown turned upside down" went to 1

13 years later these two would strike gold again.

In 1972 when motown moved to los angeles Bohannon stayed behind and was signed as an artist with Dakar/Brunswick records. Over the next two years hamilton, released 6 albums and many singles, but his first success was the single "Disco Stomp" Wich charted on the Billboard Hot 100.


In 1976 he was signed to Mercury records and two years later released his biggest hit "Let's Start the Dance" Wich peaked out at 3 on the R'n'B charts.


Clearly this record was a huge influence on what would later come to be known as house music. And who dropped the super hot lead female vocals on this banger? None other than a now 28 year old Carolyn Crawford!!!

Unfortuneately Bohannons greatest accolade probably came via a shout out in Tom Tom Club's 1981 Hit Single "Genius of Love"


and for the DJs:
Let's Start the Dance (extended mix)