High Inergy
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High Inergy | |
|---|---|
 Michelle Martin, Linda Howard, Barbara Mitchell (1979) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, soul, disco |
| Years active | 1977–1983 |
| Labels | Gordy |
| Past members | Linda Howard Michelle Martin Barbara Mitchell Vernessa Mitchell (1977-1978) |
High Inergy was an American R&B and soul girl group who found fame on Motown Records in the late 1970s. They are best known for the hit song, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)".
High Inergy started in 1976 when the four founding singers were discovered by Gwen Gordy Fuqua during a Bicentennial show in Pasadena, California.[1] The members of the group included lead singer Vernessa Mitchell, her sister Barbara Mitchell, Linda Howard and Michelle Martin (or Rumph).[1] The Mitchell sisters were singers, while the remaining members were known primarily for their dancing.[2]
Fashioned after Martha and the Vandellas and the Supremes, the group was signed to Motown's Gordy subsidiary in 1977.[1] They quickly found success with the R&B/pop hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On),"[1] which reached R&B number 2 and U.S. number 12.
The group became a trio when Vernessa left after the second album to pursue a career in gospel music.[1] Barbara Mitchell replaced her sister as lead singer.[2] Michelle Martin was replaced by dancer Pat Douglas during rehearsals for Motown 25 in 1983, and made one more appearance with the group later on Soul Train. Shortly after this broadcast Barbara Mitchell went solo and Motown retired the group.
The group would score a total of nine R&B hits before disbanding for solo careers in 1984.[1]
Group member Linda Howard died on December 9, 2012.
