by Genea L. Webb
The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to make it to the Super Bowl this year, but Lester Troutman promises to get Pittsburghers out of the big game doldrums when his funk group Zapp takes the stage of the Homewood Coliseum Feb. 4.
“People can expect a great show. We’re going to be as clean as New Year’s Eve Chitterlings. People are going to be dancing and praising the Lord all in the same night,” said Zapp drummer Lester who founded the soul funk band along with his brothers Roger, Larry and Terry Troutman and Gregory Jackson.
 |
| ZAPP
|
Fans of the funksters will be treated to such hits as “Doo Wa Ditty,” “I Can Make You Dance,” “Computer Love,” “I Want To Be Your Man,” and “More Bounce to the Ounce.”
The group was formed in the mid 1970’s around two of the five Troutman Brothers: Lester and the late Roger Troutman who helped make the group successful with his charismatic personality, boundless energy and the use of the talk box in many of the group’s hits. Once the group became named Roger and the Human Body, Troutman brother Larry and youngest brother Terry joined the group. Other members of the group at that time included Bobby Glover and Jackson.
Zapp got its name from Clinton who thought Roger and the Human Body sounded more like an exercise instead of a singing group.
“At that time groups like Jefferson Starship and Midnight Star were out. There was a celestial feel to the names and my younger brother’s nickname was Zapp. He would run around and do stuff and get stuff for us. We’d be like ‘Zapp get this, Zapp go do that.’ George heard that and said ‘that’s it’ and that became our name,” Troutman recalled.
The group began touring and was brought to the attention of Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton through childhood friend, Bootsy Collins, who made a pact with Roger that whoever got famous first would reach back and help the other. Roger and Zapp toured along with Parliament in 1979 during the Parliament Motor Booty Tour. Roger and Zapp secured a record deal with Warner Bros. Records in late 1979 and released its debut record, the self-titled “Zapp”album in late 1980. The record scored the hit “More Bounce to the Ounce.” The album became a gold-selling success and peaked at the top 20 of the Billboard top 200.
“The first time we went to Detroit with George Clinton it was the greatest thing in the world,” said Lester, a married father of two who resides in Ohio. “We played with Bootsy Collins as kids and we met with him after he had hits and it was crazy. George was on the cutting edge. We didn’t partake in all the things they did, but it was very interesting.”
Following the success of 1980’s “Zapp” album, the group went on to release albums almost annually—”Zapp II” in 1982, “Zapp III in 1983, “The New Zapp IV U” in 1985, and 1989’s “Zapp Vibe.” Zapp’s last album “Zapp VI: Back by Popular Demand” was released in 2002.
Zapp front man, Roger found success of his own with the albums “The Many Facets of Roger” and the singles “Computer Love,” and “I Want to Be Your Man.”
Roger died due to a murder-suicide after Larry fatally shot Roger before killing himself in 1999.
Although the tragic incident was a shock to family members and fans alike, Roger’s legacy lives on through his brothers and Zapp.
“I honestly believe Roger is sitting in Heaven and enjoying every day that we are touring. I believe that he would be happy and that he’d be honored. It’s God’s plan and my mission for us to keep touring,” Lester said.
“Roger always told us that we could jump up and down, you can cuss but don’t bore the fans and we work very hard for that not to happen,” Troutman continued. “He also taught us to always be clean on stage, never be late, always smile on stage and always keep people excited and keep them asking for more.”
That unfailing dedication to music, funk and fun is why Zapp was chosen to headline the Old School Cabaret.
“I decided to bring Zapp to Pittsburgh because they are still doing their thing and holding it down,” explained Godfrey of Godfrey II Productions, a Pittsburgh-based promoter who is passionate about bringing the best of Old School music to the Steel City. Most recently Godfrey brought Gospel artist Donald Lawrence to the Burgh. “I saw Zapp’s story on ‘Unsung’ and I grew up listening to them,” he said.
Zapp is no stranger to Pittsburgh. According to Lester, the group frequently played the Air Reserve strip in Moon Township. Zapp also played at the Civic Area when they toured the city several times with Prince and Parliament Funkadelic.
“I remember the dome opening up. We used to come to Pittsburgh all the time because the fans used to turn out for our concerts,” he recalled.
And the consummate soul man is excited to be returning to town.
“We want to thank Pittsburgh for inviting us back to their city. We love our fans and we are happy that people still want to see us,” he said.
The Old School Cabaret featuring Zapp and the king of line dancing Roland Ford will be held at the Homewood Coliseum, 7310 Frankstown Ave. in Pittsburgh, Feb. 4 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. VIP seating costs $30 and includes seating near the stage, two drink tickets and the cabaret, which is bring your own bottle.
An after party is going to be held at the Cabaret Hall, 7928 Frankstown Ave. Entrance to the party is $5 with concert ticket stub and $10 without ticket stub.
(For more information or to purchase tickets, call 724- 315-7515.)