Jacques Fred Petrus
Encyclopedia
Jacques Fred Petrus was a French-Italian businessman and a pioneer of Italian Disco
music.
where he worked as a DJ at different clubs, including the legendary jet-set nightclub "Club Saint-Hilaire".
In the early 70s he moved to Milan
, Italy
and continued his career as a DJ for several famous local clubs like "Good Mood". After a crucial meeting with music student Mauro Malavasi
(°1958) in Bologna, who became his working partner and main song writer and producer, they formed a disco production company called Goody Music Productions (GMP), invested in a recording studio in Bologna
and created the Goody Music record label.
In 1978 the associates released their first studio project called Macho
which was followed by more or less commercially successful disco productions like Revanche and Peter Jacques band
. But it wasn't until 1980, when their latest creation called Change
was revealed, that Petrus and Malavasi established their own signature sound and reached their goal of world wide success. In 1979 Fred Petrus gathered his international music activities under the company name Little Macho Music.
hit the market in 1980 with their debut album "The Glow of Love" Petrus and Malavasi didn't realise the magnitude of the success that was to come. Petrus used two other Italian musicians besides Malavasi on this album, bassist Davide Romani (°1959) and guitarist Paolo Gianolio. Romani, who not only wrote the No 1 hits "A Lover's Holiday" and "The Glow of Love" (vocals by Luther Vandross
, who was hired by Petrus to perform together with Jocelyn Brown
), but also arranged and conducted the entire set in conjunction with Gianolio. Besides "A Lover's Holiday" which reached the No 1 spot on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play for nine weeks the album also received 7 Grammy Award nominations.
Although similarities with famous disco band Chic
, which was a source of inspiration for Romani, Change had their own slick and sophisticated blend of Eurodisco and American Chic'esque R&B-disco. From 1980 to 1983 when Chic's fame was waning Change managed to climb higher on the charts each year, a rather satisfying and amusing fact for the founders Petrus, Malavasi, Romani and Gianolio. Although Jacques Fred Petrus released many other tracks with many other artists, none achieved the same fame and success as Change.
After the tremendous hype with Change Petrus and Malavasi launched several new projects like The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens band (B. B. & Q. band
) in 1981, High Fashion (1982) (including the Romani/Malavasi penned hit "Feelin' lucky lately" which reached the No 32 spot on Billboards R&B chart), Silence (a pop album released in 1982) and Zinc (1982). Petrus and his troupe of Italian studio musicians and writers also co-wrote and produced parts of The Ritchie Family's 1982 album "I'll do my Best". The title track became a club hit, and was penned by Malavasi. Of all these new projects the B. B. & Q. band
was by far the most successful concept. Their self-titled 1981 debut album included "On the Beat" (by Malavasi), a highly catchy and hypnotic dance floor filler with a powerful intro that rocketed to the No 8 spot on the Billboard black singles charts.
During the second part of the 80's Petrus achieved success with album releases of B.B.&Q. Band (1985), Peter Jacques Band (1985) and Change (1985). In 1985 Jacques Fred Petrus started up a new production company and record label called Renaissance International. Vedette International was the name of his new publishing company. Less successful projects in 1984 and 1985 (often single releases) included Silence 2 feat. Gordon Grody (1984), Macho III (1984), Zinc feat. Sherwin (1984), M Like Moon (1984), Midnight Gang (1984), Tato (1985), Nobel (1985) and Persuader (1985).
Petrus was murdered in the Spring of 1987 in Guadeloupe under mysterious circumstances. He was only 39 years old. The official version from the French police reported that there had been problems with a Swiss tourist who attended the club owned by Petrus. The club L'Elysée Matignon was situated in the tourist area of the Marina Bas-du-Fort in Le Gosier which is the main seaside resort of Guadeloupe and the heart of the island’s night life. The tourist was, for an unknown reason, refused entry to the club and a harsh argument seemed to have occurred between him and Petrus. Later on the same night the tourist decided to follow Petrus to his villa in Sainte-Anne where he shot him dead.
singles: “On The Beat”, “Starlette”, “Time For Love”, "Mistakes".
singles: “Imagination”, “All Night Long (She’s Got The Moves I Like)”.
singles: “Keep It Hot”, “She’s A Woman”.
singles: “Genie”, “Dreamer”, “On The Shelf”, “Riccochet”, "Minutes Away", "Main Attraction".
singles: "Russia", "Stay Tonight".
singles: “A Lover’s Holiday”, “The Glow Of Love”, “Searching”, "Angel In My Pocket".
singles: “Paradise”, “Hold Tight”, “Miracles”, "Stop For Love", "Heaven Of My Life".
singles: “The Very Best In You”, “Hard Times (It’s Gonna Be Alright)”, “Oh What A Night”, “Keep On It”, "Sharing Your Love".
singles: “Got To Get Up”, “This Is Your Time”, “Don’t Wait Another Night”, “Magical Night”.
singles: “Change Of Heart”, “You Are My Melody”, "Say You Love Me Again", “It Burns Me Up”.
singles: “Let’s Go Together”, “Oh What A Feeling”, “Mutual Attraction”, "Examination", "Turn On Your Radio".
single: “Live For Love”.
singles: “Feelin’ Lucky Lately”, "You're The Winner", “Hold On”.
single: “Break Up”, "Make Up Your Mind".
singles: “I’m A Man”, “Hear Me Calling”.
singles: “Roll”, “Mothers Love”, "Not Tonight".
singles: “Love Is Magic”, “Midnight Game”.
singles: “Walking On Music”, “Fire Night Dance”, “Devil’s Run”, “Fly With The Wind”.
singles: “Is It It”, “Counting On Love (One-Two-Three)”, “The Louder”, “Mighty Fine”.
singles: “Going Dancin’ Down The Street”, “Mexico”, “Drive Me Crazy”, "This Night".
singles: “Music Man”, “Revenge”, “You Get High In N.Y.C.”, “1979 It’s Dancing Time”.
singles: "I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby)", “Walk With Me”, “Alright On The Night”.
singles: “White Room”, “Just Take My Body”, “Thank You Baby”.
singles: “Midnight Visitors”, “No Way”.
single: "The Beast In Me".
singles: “Street Level”, “Punkulation”, "Amazon", "I'll Never Stop".
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
music.
Early years
He worked as a diesel-engine mechanic on a cargo ship aged only 15 before his early interest for R&B and Soul music brought him to ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where he worked as a DJ at different clubs, including the legendary jet-set nightclub "Club Saint-Hilaire".
In the early 70s he moved to Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and continued his career as a DJ for several famous local clubs like "Good Mood". After a crucial meeting with music student Mauro Malavasi
Mauro Malavasi
Mauro Malavasi is an Italian pianist, songwriter and producer.Malavasi had during the early 70s educated himself at the conservatory of Bologna, Italy in the composition, choir and orchestral disciplines. During those years he also developed his piano to become a masterful piano player...
(°1958) in Bologna, who became his working partner and main song writer and producer, they formed a disco production company called Goody Music Productions (GMP), invested in a recording studio in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
and created the Goody Music record label.
In 1978 the associates released their first studio project called Macho
Macho (band)
Macho was an Italian-American disco/R&B studio group. The Guadeloupe born French-Italian businessman Jacques Fred Petrus and Italian musician Mauro Malavasi, formed a joint production company, called Goody Music Production , in the mid-1970s. Their first project, in 1978, was called Macho,...
which was followed by more or less commercially successful disco productions like Revanche and Peter Jacques band
Peter Jacques band
Peter Jacques band was an Italian Disco band, created by French-Italian-American businessman Jacques Fred Petrus and songwriter and producer Mauro Malavasi . They released three albums all reaching minor success but most of all opened up the US market for Italian made disco...
. But it wasn't until 1980, when their latest creation called Change
Change (band)
Change was an Italian-American post-disco group formed in Bologna, Italy in 1979 by businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi...
was revealed, that Petrus and Malavasi established their own signature sound and reached their goal of world wide success. In 1979 Fred Petrus gathered his international music activities under the company name Little Macho Music.
Change - Petrus' biggest success
When ChangeChange (band)
Change was an Italian-American post-disco group formed in Bologna, Italy in 1979 by businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi...
hit the market in 1980 with their debut album "The Glow of Love" Petrus and Malavasi didn't realise the magnitude of the success that was to come. Petrus used two other Italian musicians besides Malavasi on this album, bassist Davide Romani (°1959) and guitarist Paolo Gianolio. Romani, who not only wrote the No 1 hits "A Lover's Holiday" and "The Glow of Love" (vocals by Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
, who was hired by Petrus to perform together with Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Lorette Brown is an American R&B and dance music singer...
), but also arranged and conducted the entire set in conjunction with Gianolio. Besides "A Lover's Holiday" which reached the No 1 spot on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play for nine weeks the album also received 7 Grammy Award nominations.
Although similarities with famous disco band Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
, which was a source of inspiration for Romani, Change had their own slick and sophisticated blend of Eurodisco and American Chic'esque R&B-disco. From 1980 to 1983 when Chic's fame was waning Change managed to climb higher on the charts each year, a rather satisfying and amusing fact for the founders Petrus, Malavasi, Romani and Gianolio. Although Jacques Fred Petrus released many other tracks with many other artists, none achieved the same fame and success as Change.
Other projects until 1986
Early Petrus projects included Macho (1978), Elvin Shaad (1978), Peter Jacques Band (1979), Revanche (1979), Rudy (a solo album in 1979 of the Italian Goody Music collaborator Rudy Trevisi), Midnight Gang (1979), A.N.T.I. Rock (1980) (the Italian version of Ottawan's disco hit D.I.S.C.O.), The Jumpers (1980), Gianni Riso (1980) and Caprice (1980).After the tremendous hype with Change Petrus and Malavasi launched several new projects like The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens band (B. B. & Q. band
B. B. & Q. Band
-Studio albums:* The B. B. & Q. Band * All Night Long * Six Million Times * Genie -Compilation albums:* The Best Of The B.B. & Q...
) in 1981, High Fashion (1982) (including the Romani/Malavasi penned hit "Feelin' lucky lately" which reached the No 32 spot on Billboards R&B chart), Silence (a pop album released in 1982) and Zinc (1982). Petrus and his troupe of Italian studio musicians and writers also co-wrote and produced parts of The Ritchie Family's 1982 album "I'll do my Best". The title track became a club hit, and was penned by Malavasi. Of all these new projects the B. B. & Q. band
B. B. & Q. Band
-Studio albums:* The B. B. & Q. Band * All Night Long * Six Million Times * Genie -Compilation albums:* The Best Of The B.B. & Q...
was by far the most successful concept. Their self-titled 1981 debut album included "On the Beat" (by Malavasi), a highly catchy and hypnotic dance floor filler with a powerful intro that rocketed to the No 8 spot on the Billboard black singles charts.
During the second part of the 80's Petrus achieved success with album releases of B.B.&Q. Band (1985), Peter Jacques Band (1985) and Change (1985). In 1985 Jacques Fred Petrus started up a new production company and record label called Renaissance International. Vedette International was the name of his new publishing company. Less successful projects in 1984 and 1985 (often single releases) included Silence 2 feat. Gordon Grody (1984), Macho III (1984), Zinc feat. Sherwin (1984), M Like Moon (1984), Midnight Gang (1984), Tato (1985), Nobel (1985) and Persuader (1985).
Death
In the course of 1986 Fred Petrus decided to put his music industry activities on hold and moved back to his native island of Guadeloupe.Petrus was murdered in the Spring of 1987 in Guadeloupe under mysterious circumstances. He was only 39 years old. The official version from the French police reported that there had been problems with a Swiss tourist who attended the club owned by Petrus. The club L'Elysée Matignon was situated in the tourist area of the Marina Bas-du-Fort in Le Gosier which is the main seaside resort of Guadeloupe and the heart of the island’s night life. The tourist was, for an unknown reason, refused entry to the club and a harsh argument seemed to have occurred between him and Petrus. Later on the same night the tourist decided to follow Petrus to his villa in Sainte-Anne where he shot him dead.
Producer discography
- A.N.T.I. Rock: single “D.I.S.C.O.”, Goody Music, 1980.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band, EMI-Capitol, 1981
singles: “On The Beat”, “Starlette”, “Time For Love”, "Mistakes".
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD All Night Long, EMI-Capitol, 1982
singles: “Imagination”, “All Night Long (She’s Got The Moves I Like)”.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Six Million Times, EMI-Capitol, 1983
singles: “Keep It Hot”, “She’s A Woman”.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Genie, Cooltempo/Break/Zyx/Mega, 1985
singles: “Genie”, “Dreamer”, “On The Shelf”, “Riccochet”, "Minutes Away", "Main Attraction".
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Best Of B.B.& Q. Band, Italo Heat, 1988.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Final Collection, Fonte, 2008.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009.
- Caprice: LP Russia, Goody Music, 1980.
singles: "Russia", "Stay Tonight".
- Change: LP/CD The Glow Of Love, Goody Music/RFC-Warner Bros., 1980
singles: “A Lover’s Holiday”, “The Glow Of Love”, “Searching”, "Angel In My Pocket".
- Change: LP/CD Miracles, Goody Music/RFC-Atlantic, 1981
singles: “Paradise”, “Hold Tight”, “Miracles”, "Stop For Love", "Heaven Of My Life".
- Change: LP/CD Sharing Your Love, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1982
singles: “The Very Best In You”, “Hard Times (It’s Gonna Be Alright)”, “Oh What A Night”, “Keep On It”, "Sharing Your Love".
- Change: LP/CD This Is Your Time, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1983
singles: “Got To Get Up”, “This Is Your Time”, “Don’t Wait Another Night”, “Magical Night”.
- Change: LP/CD Change Of Heart, Five/RFC-Atlantic, 1984
singles: “Change Of Heart”, “You Are My Melody”, "Say You Love Me Again", “It Burns Me Up”.
- Change: LP Greatest Hits, Renaissance International, 1985.
- Change: LP/CD Turn On Your Radio, Renaissance International/RFC-Atlantic, 1985
singles: “Let’s Go Together”, “Oh What A Feeling”, “Mutual Attraction”, "Examination", "Turn On Your Radio".
- Change: CD The Very Best Of Change, Rhino-Atlantic, 1998.
- Change: 2CD The Best Of Change, Warner Music, 2003.
- Change: 2CD The Final Collection, Fonte, 2007.
- Change: 2CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009.
- Elvin Shaad: LP Live For Love, Goody Music, 1978
single: “Live For Love”.
- Goody Music Orchestra, The: LP Hits Of The World Vol. 1 - Best Of Goody, Goody Music, 1980.
- High Fashion: LP/CD Feelin’ Lucky, EMI-Capitol, 1982
singles: “Feelin’ Lucky Lately”, "You're The Winner", “Hold On”.
- High Fashion: LP/CD Make Up Your Mind, EMI-Capitol, 1983
single: “Break Up”, "Make Up Your Mind".
- Gianni Riso: single “Disco Shy”, Goody Music, 1980.
- Jumpers, The: single “Coke And Roll”, Goody Music, 1980.
- M Like Moon: single “Sunlight”, Flarenasch/Ariola, 1984 / Renaissance International 1985.
- Macho: LP/CD I’m A Man, Goody Music/Prelude, 1978
singles: “I’m A Man”, “Hear Me Calling”.
- Macho (II): LP/CD Roll, Goody Music, 1980
singles: “Roll”, “Mothers Love”, "Not Tonight".
- Macho III: single “Kalimba De Luna”, Flarenasch/Five, 1984.
- Midnight Gang: LP Love Is Magic, Goody Music, 1979
singles: “Love Is Magic”, “Midnight Game”.
- Midnight Gang: single "Holliwood City", Speed, 1984.
- Nobel: single “Turn On Your Radio”, Renaissance International, 1985.
- Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Fire Night Dance, Goody Music/Prelude, 1979
singles: “Walking On Music”, “Fire Night Dance”, “Devil’s Run”, “Fly With The Wind”.
- Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Welcome Back, Goody Music, 1980
singles: “Is It It”, “Counting On Love (One-Two-Three)”, “The Louder”, “Mighty Fine”.
- Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Dancing In The Street, Renaissance International/Polydor, 1985
singles: “Going Dancin’ Down The Street”, “Mexico”, “Drive Me Crazy”, "This Night".
- Peter Jacques Band: CD The Very Best Of Peter Jacques Band, Fonte, 2006.
- Peter Jacques Band: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009.
- Persuader: single "So Decide", Renaissance International, 1985.
- Revanche: LP/CD Music Man, Goody Music/Atlantic, 1979
singles: “Music Man”, “Revenge”, “You Get High In N.Y.C.”, “1979 It’s Dancing Time”.
- Ritchie Family, The: LP/CD I’ll Do My Best, RCA, 1982
singles: "I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby)", “Walk With Me”, “Alright On The Night”.
- Rudy: LP/CD Just Take My Body, Goody Music/Polydor, 1979
singles: “White Room”, “Just Take My Body”, “Thank You Baby”.
- Silence: LP Goodtime Baby, Memory, 1982
singles: “Midnight Visitors”, “No Way”.
- Silence 2: LP The Beast In Me, Flarenasch/Five, 1984
single: "The Beast In Me".
- Tato: single "Crazy Boy", Renaissance International, 1985.
- Zinc: LP/CD Street Level, Memory/Jive, 1982
singles: “Street Level”, “Punkulation”, "Amazon", "I'll Never Stop".
- Zinc: single “I’m Livin' A Life Of Love”, Jive, 1983.
- Zinc feat. Sherwin: single "Hollywood City", Sneak Preview, 1984.
- Zinc feat. Sherwin: single "State Of The Nation", Sneak Preview, 1984.
External links
- www.jacquespetrus.com Jacques Fred Petrus biography
- http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/GOODY-MUSIC-LITTLE-MACHO-MUSIC/125608788463 Goody Music & Little Macho Music