KC & The Sunshine Band remained as widely popular as when they first danced onto the music scene more than 35 years earlier. Harry Wayne Casey—KC for short—developed a distinctive fusion of R&B and funk with a hint of Latin percussion, producing an impressive string of hits including “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “Shake Your Booty.” With sales of more than 100 million records, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, KC & The Sunshine Band was one of the most progressive bands of the 1970s and is credited with changing the sound of modern pop music.
KC & The Sunshine Band performed more than 100 live shows annually, touring the United States and appearing regularly across Europe, Australia and South America. In 2008, KC celebrated 35 years of entertaining audiences, writing songs and performing around the world—with no intention of stopping. KC’s songs stood the test of time, as demonstrated by thousands of concertgoers who remained on their feet throughout each performance.
KC headlined KC’s Boogie Blast: The Ultimate Dance Party, a tour with stops throughout the United States and Canada. The dance extravaganza also featured Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge and fellow Saturday Night Fever soundtrack performers Tavares.
Harry Wayne Casey began working in the music business at age 17, performing tasks around the T. K. Records and Studio complex in his hometown of Miami. The Sunshine Band originated in 1973, when he began writing songs with bassist Richard Finch. Their first record, “Blow Your Whistle,” reached the Top 15 on the R&B chart.
Their second album, KC & The Sunshine Band, was released in 1975, went triple platinum and contained the number-one hits “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way (I Like It),” “Boogie Shoes” and “Rock Your Baby.” KC & The Sunshine Band became the first act since the Beatles in 1964 to score four number-one pop singles within a 12-month period. Three of those singles also crossed over to number one on the R&B chart.
KC’s third album, Part 3, released in 1976, also went triple platinum and contained the number-one singles “I’m Your Boogie Man,” “Shake Your Booty” and “Keep It Comin’ Love.” The band’s string of hits continued with “Boogie Shoes,” featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack; “Please Don’t Go”; and “Yes, I’m Ready,” a duet with high school friend Teri DeSario. KC returned to the charts in 1983 with “Give It Up,” which also reached number one in the United Kingdom.
KC won a songwriting Grammy in 1976 for Best R&B Song for “Where Is the Love,” recorded by Betty Wright. He also received Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Producer of the Year in 1978 for his work on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. In 1975, he won the American Music Award for Best R&B Artist. In 2001, KC received the NARAS Governor’s Award, the highest honor presented by an Academy chapter.
KC’s music continued to be a favorite in advertising. His songs appeared in campaigns for General Motors, Burger King, Payless Shoes, Papa John’s Pizza, Old Navy and Nick at Nite.
His music was also featured in more than 75 movies, including Forrest Gump (“Get Down Tonight”), Boogie Nights (“Boogie Shoes”), Boys Don’t Cry (“Rock Your Baby”), Rush Hour (“Get Down Tonight”), Carlito’s Way (“Rock Your Baby,” “Shake Your Booty” and “That’s the Way I Like It”) and Austin Powers in Goldmember. In summer 2003, KC made a cameo appearance in The In-Laws, starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks.
KC’s songs were regularly heard at sporting events. The band was featured during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, and performed a free concert in Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics. On television, KC’s music appeared in programs including Desperate Housewives, Ally McBeal, American Bandstand’s 50th Anniversary Party, American Idol and Dancing with the Stars, where the band performed with the USC marching band. KC & The Sunshine Band also made more appearances on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve than any other artist in the program’s history.
Artists including White Zombie, Baha Men, Beyoncé Knowles and American Idol performers Kelly and Justin covered KC’s music. The band’s grooves and bass lines were sampled in R&B by R. Kelly, rap by Snoop Dogg and Trick Daddy, and dance music by Ultra Naté, among many others.
From the era of his biggest hits, KC toured regularly in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. In 1995, he recorded Get Down Live, a concert album drawn from performances in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Peru and Melbourne. The Best of KC & The Sunshine Band went gold in 1999.
The group celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1999 with the commemorative double-CD release The 25th Anniversary Collection. In fall 2001, KC released an album of new material titled I’ll Be There for You. Proceeds from the title song, released as a single, were donated to September 11 relief efforts. From the beginning, KC & The Sunshine Band wrote songs that spoke to a generation; in the 1990s, a new generation began discovering disco with fresh ears, and that discovery continued.
In 2002, KC received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Dick Clark and producer Michael Lloyd helped honor him. The distinction represented KC’s passion for writing music and combining elements from different eras with his powerful signature sound.
That’s the Way I Like It: The Harry Wayne Casey Story, a book chronicling KC’s career, was published in fall 2002. His music continued to be heard on the radio, in nightclubs, at the movies, in sports arenas and at the more than 100 concerts KC & The Sunshine Band played each year—always fun and inspiring audiences to dance.
Management and Media
Management: Bill Sammeth Organization • Fax: 310-441-5111
Media requests: Amy Willis • amy@websterpr.com • 615-777-6995, extension 225
This biography and photograph were reproduced from the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Media Press Kit.