Our Story, Our Time

The Hues Corporation, a pop and soul trio, began in 1969, under the leadership of its founder, Wally Holmes in Santa Monica, California. The original name, “Children of Howard Hughes” – a pun on famous millionaire Howard Hughes – ran into some legal roadblocks when it came to incorporation. Since he could not legally use the millionaire’s full name, he came up with, “The Hues Corporation.”

Group members Flemming Williams, Bernard “St. Clair Lee” Henderson, and Hubert Ann Kelley began their music career performing at the Las Vegas Circus Circus Casino as an opening act for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, Nancy Sinatra and Glen Campbell.

Under contract with RCA Records by 1972, The Hues Corporation also appears as the awesomely funky soul group performing in a nightclub scene, in the groovy horror Blaxploitation movie, “Blacula.”

In 1973, their debut single “Freedom for the Stallion” hit #63 on the Billboard charts.

In 1974, the band scored a massive smash success with “Rock the Boat”; the infectiously bubbly and upbeat tune hit #1 on the Billboard charts, sold a million copies, and remains one of the first major hit disco songs from the 70s. “Rock the Boat” is the band’s lasting legacy. The exquisite pop song is incredibly hooky and has harmonies that went on for days. It lead to a new, danceable sound that became a forerunner to the disco beats that would arise soon after.

“Rock the Boat” is found on several movie soundtracks, “Roll Bounce,” “Man on the Moon,” “Lawn Dogs,” “The Devil’s Own,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The Spirit of 76,” and “The Martian.” The song is also in M&M commercials plus episodes of the television shows; The Sopranos, The West Wing, Ed, and The Simpsons.

The follow-up songs did well on the charts as well: “Rockin Soul,” “Love Corporation” and “I Caught Your Act.”

In October 2021, The Hues Corporation released its first song in a couple of decades, "Rock the Boat 4Love". The song is a collaboration with Master Gee of The Sugarhill Gang and Julian Johnson. The song is anticipated to hit the charts and keep climbing because our fans love good music.

By 1978 their recording career began to stall. In 1989, The Hues Corporation came on strong with lead singer, Wendell E. Anderson, Sr., St. Clair Lee and Teresa Brown who later left the group and was replaced by Marie Elaine Woodard. They performed on various television specials, major U.S. venues and overseas. The group appeared in a 2004 PBS “My Music Series” television program. The group would take another brief hiatus.

In 2015 the group would return to the music scene now based out of Cincinnati, OH, the hometown of Anderson. They would perform at the 40th Anniversary of Dance Fever. In September 2019, The Hues Corporation along with other national artists performed a live Saturday Night Dance Fever Disco show in Sacramento, California hosted by Denny Terrio with the Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO) as the backing band. They would also perform at the 2019 World’s Largest Disco in Buffalo, New York with current members, Wendell E. Anderson, Sr., Jinnerva Shelery, and Deondra Means.

The group performed on the 2022 Ultimate Disco Cruise and headlined Cincinnati Ohio's 2022 Juneteenth Celebration. They ended the year with a performance at the amazing Asher Theater in Myrtle Beach, SC owned by James and Grace Stephens.

The Hues Corporation would start off 2023 with one of the first "Disco" shows in Florida at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale along with musical giants from the Disco era.

The Hues Corporation had various combinations of singers over the past fifty years including Karl Russell, Tommy Brown, Kenny James, Bruce Glover, Brenna Parker, Julian Johnson, Anthony Louis, Charles White, and Victoria Lynch.

The status of the original members and founder follows: Flemming Williams passed away in 1998. Bernard “St. Clair Lee” Henderson passed away on March 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Wally Holmes passed away on September 1, 2021, a month before his 92nd birthday in Los Angeles, California. Hubert Ann Kelley passed away on July 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Visit www.nattyrecords.com to learn more about The Hues Corporation.

For all Business inquiries and to Book The Hues Corporation, please contact:

Sarah O. Anderson

Phone: 513-800-3186

Email: nattyrecords60@gmail.com