Love Inc. (band)
Encyclopedia
Love Inc. was a dance music
act from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
. The group was formed by DJ/remixer/producers Chris Sheppard
and Brad Daymond
, with Simone Denny
on vocals. The Sheppard and Denny combination previously worked together in the Quality Records
dance outfit BKS
, an acronym using the surname initials of Zambian born Hennie Bekker, Greg Kavanagh and Sheppard. At that time, Daymond was an emerging remixer/writer who had worked with The Nylons
.
The group scored its first major hit on the Canadian pop chart with "Broken Bones", the music video for which won the Best Video award at the 1998 MuchMusic Video Awards
. "Broken Bones" peaked at #6 in 1998 and was followed that same year by "You're a Superstar", which peaked at #11. "You're a Superstar" also became the band's only hit in the United States
, where it peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1999. The singles "Who Do You Love" and "Homeless" followed in 1999.
In 1998, the group played the half time show at the Grey Cup
in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The group also played at the Millennium New Year's Eve festivities in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario.
In 1999, Daymond left the group to pursue a successful remix and production career with Alex Greggs
as "Riprock & Alex G". After Love Inc.'s self-titled album was released, Sheppard and Denny continued as a duo and in 2000 released Into the Night, which included the title track, "Come On (It's Only Love)" and "Here Comes the Sunshine". It would also be their last album. Five singles in total reached the # 1 position on the Canadian Dance Charts published by the now-defunct publications The Record
and RPM Magazine
.
The group's debut album remains the only dance album created domestically in Canada to achieve platinum certification (sales over 100,000 units).
Aside the aforementioned Alex Greggs (who with Daymond moved on to work with 'nsync and others), Love Inc. were also aided by Frankfurt-based pop dance genius Peter Ries
, who co-produced both albums with the band. Other participants included composer Vincent Degiorgio and Germany's Doug Laurent and award winning songwriter/artist Dan Hill.
A few years after their break up, they would achieve success overseas when "You're a Superstar" and "Broken Bones" became hits in the UK and Ireland. "You're a Superstar" spent four weeks at number 7 in the UK Singles Chart
in December 2002, and "Broken Bones" reached number 8 in May 2003. "Do Ya (Feel The Love)", co-written with Ms. Denny, was also featured on the initial Queer As Folk soundtrack, released on RCA Victor worldwide. You're a Superstar was featured on the Christmas special series finale of The Office
as music in the background.
In 2003, Denny provided the vocals for Widelife's track "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)", the theme from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
act from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The group was formed by DJ/remixer/producers Chris Sheppard
Chris Sheppard (DJ)
Chris Sheppard is a Canadian, as well as a former radio DJ and musician. He was one of the leading figures in the Canadian dance music scene in the 1980s and 1990s....
and Brad Daymond
Brad Daymond
Brad Daymond is a Canadian musician, songwriter, producer and remixer also known as "Riprock".Growing up in Barrie, Ontario, he changed his name in his early twenties to work in the music industry. First known primarily for his membership in the band Love Inc...
, with Simone Denny
Simone Denny
Simone Denny is a Canadian Pop/Dance/House/Techno vocalist, who was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.-Personal background:Simone Denny was born in Toronto, Ontario. She is of Guyanese and Surinamese heritage...
on vocals. The Sheppard and Denny combination previously worked together in the Quality Records
Quality Records
Quality Records is a Canadian entertainment company which released music albums in Canada on behalf of American record labels, and also released recordings by Canadian artists...
dance outfit BKS
BKS
BKS is a Toronto-based techno group created by radio DJ Chris Sheppard, with other members Hennie Bekker and Greg Kavanagh....
, an acronym using the surname initials of Zambian born Hennie Bekker, Greg Kavanagh and Sheppard. At that time, Daymond was an emerging remixer/writer who had worked with The Nylons
The Nylons
The Nylons are an a cappella group founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Best known for their covers of The Turtles' "Happy Together", Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", and The Tokens' version of the traditional "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"....
.
The group scored its first major hit on the Canadian pop chart with "Broken Bones", the music video for which won the Best Video award at the 1998 MuchMusic Video Awards
MuchMusic Video Awards
The MuchMusic Video Awards are annual awards presented by the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic to honour the year's best music videos....
. "Broken Bones" peaked at #6 in 1998 and was followed that same year by "You're a Superstar", which peaked at #11. "You're a Superstar" also became the band's only hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where it peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1999. The singles "Who Do You Love" and "Homeless" followed in 1999.
In 1998, the group played the half time show at the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The group also played at the Millennium New Year's Eve festivities in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario.
In 1999, Daymond left the group to pursue a successful remix and production career with Alex Greggs
Alex Greggs
Alex Greggs is a Canadian songwriter, producer, and remixer. He has worked with some of the biggest names in pop and hip hop. He started as a leading producer in the Canadian music scene, notably for Love Inc....
as "Riprock & Alex G". After Love Inc.'s self-titled album was released, Sheppard and Denny continued as a duo and in 2000 released Into the Night, which included the title track, "Come On (It's Only Love)" and "Here Comes the Sunshine". It would also be their last album. Five singles in total reached the # 1 position on the Canadian Dance Charts published by the now-defunct publications The Record
The Record (magazine)
The Record was a Canadian music industry magazine that featured record charts, trade news and opinions. David Farrell launched the publication in mid-1981, continuing its printed version until August 1999 when The Record continued as a website-based publication...
and RPM Magazine
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
.
The group's debut album remains the only dance album created domestically in Canada to achieve platinum certification (sales over 100,000 units).
Aside the aforementioned Alex Greggs (who with Daymond moved on to work with 'nsync and others), Love Inc. were also aided by Frankfurt-based pop dance genius Peter Ries
Peter Ries
Peter Ries is a German record producer, composer, arranger, and remixer. Ries started his career as a singer in 1980 under nickname Gilbert...
, who co-produced both albums with the band. Other participants included composer Vincent Degiorgio and Germany's Doug Laurent and award winning songwriter/artist Dan Hill.
A few years after their break up, they would achieve success overseas when "You're a Superstar" and "Broken Bones" became hits in the UK and Ireland. "You're a Superstar" spent four weeks at number 7 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in December 2002, and "Broken Bones" reached number 8 in May 2003. "Do Ya (Feel The Love)", co-written with Ms. Denny, was also featured on the initial Queer As Folk soundtrack, released on RCA Victor worldwide. You're a Superstar was featured on the Christmas special series finale of The Office
The Office (UK TV series)
The Office is a British sitcom television series that was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 9 July 2001. Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the programme is about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Slough branch of the fictitious...
as music in the background.
In 2003, Denny provided the vocals for Widelife's track "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)", the theme from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.