The Staying Power of The Legendary Intruders

What constitutes a legend? I suspect it is time and staying power. The Legendary Intruders known for their 1980 chart busters "Together," "We'll Be United," and "I Wanna Know Your Name," have brought history into modern day via their music. They are especially remembered every Mother's Day for their timeless hit "I'll Always Love My Mama." Their music is synonymous with romance. A sentiment that is sorely missed judging by the crowd of screaming fans that attended their Hyatt Hotel Katrina Hurricane engagement in Hauppauge, New York hosted by the Urban League. Perhaps better known to the baby boomer generation, that fact didn't stop young audience members from swaying to The Legendary Intruder's at the Apollo Theatre recently. Clearly the tide is turning and people are ready to return to a time of romance and respect for women which has been missing via rap music pumped out by some misogynistic rap artists and a greedy misanthropic music industry.

The Legendary Intruders headlined a recent tribute to Winnie Mandela at the world famous Apollo Theatre on Saturday, May 19th when Ms. Mandela and 4 other honorees: Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, Advisor to the President of Nigeria on National Affairs; Professor Babatunde Osotimehin of Nigeria (both whom received their awards in absentia); author LaJoyce Brookshire and Minister Christine Walker were given the "Beyond the Tears" Humanitarian Award by the Save Africa Concerts Foundation (SAC) for their efforts to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B in America and on the continent of Africa. Ambassador Ousmane Moutari, Ollie Cotton, Sharon Harris, Chi Chi Okere, Ph.D., Chaka Ngwenya, David Chin, Angela McKenzie, Savannah Madamonibe (Pier 2110 Restaurant), and yours truly, were brought in 3 weeks prior to the event to aid the Save Africa Concerts Foundation in the show production.

Songwriters, musicians, and Class "A" guys, the Legendary Intruders showed their humanitarian bent by helping to promote Winnie Mandela's concert tribute alongside subway hero Wesley Autrey who also participated in the event. Ilyasah Shabazz, author of "Growing Up X," came to welcome Mandela even though she was celebrating her father, Malcolm Xs birthday, at the Audubon Ballroom.

"We were honored to take part in the award ceremony for Winnie Mandela and the other honorees," said the Legendary Intruders whose first chart hit was a song entitled "Lollipop." The four Legendary Intruders consist of lead singer Johnny P. Waiters, a.k.a. Little Johnny (who stepped in when Kenny Brooks the original Legendary Intruder lead had major heart surgery), 1st tenor, Lee Bradley; 2nd tenor Gregory Fuller and baritone Harland McKenzie (Big Mac). And, it would be remiss of me not to mention their recently deceased mentor Eugene (Bird) Daugherty who had a great influence on the group and their performing style. "Even though their first chart hit "Lollipop," got the Legendary Intruders attention, it was "Cowboy to Girls," that put them at the top of the charts," stated their road manager, Oscar Richardson, a.k.a. Mr. King.

"It was the talented Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff who wrote the Legendary Intruders enduring hit, "I'll Always Love My Mama," played by radio stations nationwide every Mother's Day," stated their manager Mary Weather (Ms. Mary). "Music by The Legendary Intruders is heard throughout Europe," she continued.

"I happen to like some hip hop" said Legendary Intruder founder Lee Bradley. "However, money is the thing driving record companies. There was a time these companies were more family orientated like Motown for instance," said Lee and Big Mac. "We were on the Philly International and the Sound of Philadelphia labels," they recalled. "Rap changed the music scene for everyone around the early 1980s. We last recorded in 1983. I think disco changed the music before rap did however. We tried to change with the times like everybody else. However, we found that we didn't have the monumental success that we once had although we had minor successes. Disco was like a crushing blow for stage performers because people stopped going to concerts and went to clubs. Work even dried up for James Brown for awhile. A lot of the artists started going to Europe to perform when the club scene took over. Artists tried to adjust their music to whatever was going on at the time. In fact, James Brown's fame finally came back via Sylvester Stallone's movie, "Rocky" stated Big Mac.

"Today there is a lot of stealing going on of the old tunes although they term it 'sampling,'" claimed Big Mac. "But that is the way it is in the music business. I think however that the music industry is starting to return to love songs. The people miss them. Thus, I think our style of music is coming back now. Music styles always come back around" commented Big Mac.

"My greatest wish would be to one day step foot on the continent of Africa," stated tenor Lee Bradley. "Can you imagine being a part of a land that you have never had the opportunity to see," he continued. Bradley's wish may come true if burgeoning plans to tour Africa come to fruition in future.

Humanitarians, the Legendary Intruders were given a citation by Manhattan Borough President, Virginia Fields for their Valentine Day concert on behalf of the injured soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. They were awarded by Mt Sinai Hospital for their performance before terminally ill children and continue to perform for terminally ill children at different venues every Christmas. The Legendary Intruders also performed for the 9th Precinct Community Affairs Department of the NYC Police Department during Christmas where they sang and gave away toys. The compassionate performers also received a Letter of Appreciation from the Long Island Urban League for taking the time to do a Q&A session about their music for young school children. The Legendary Intruders also have a scholarship fund in their name at Suffolk County Community College.

Interested parties can learn more about The Legendary Intruders by visiting their website at:http://www.thelegendaryintruders.com/home

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