High Inergy

High Inergy
Michelle Martin, Linda Howard, Barbara Mitchell (1979)
Background information
Origin	Pasadena, California, United States
Genres	Pop, R&B, soul
Years active	1977–1983
Labels	Gordy
Associated acts	Smokey Robinson Switch
Past members	Linda Howard (deceased) 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 their hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)".

History

Based in Pasadena, California, the four ladies that would become known as High Inergy were discovered during a Bicentennial show in their hometown by Gwen Gordy Fuqua, the sister of Motown owner, Berry Gordy. The members of the group included lead singer Vernessa Mitchell, her sister Barbara Mitchell, Linda Howard and Michelle Martin (or Rumph). The Mitchell sisters were singers, while the remaining members were known primarily for their dancing.^[1]

Fashioned after Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes (they were actually named after the 1976 Supremes High Energy album with just the 'e' changed to an 'i' in "energy"), the group was signed to Motown's Gordy subsidiary in 1977. They quickly found success with the R&B/pop hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)," which reached R&B #2 and U.S. #12.

The group became a trio when Vernessa left after the second album to pursue a career in gospel music. Barbara Mitchell replaced her sister as lead singer.^[1]

The group would score a total of nine R&B hits before disbanding for solo careers in 1984.

Group member Linda Howard died on December 17, 2012 from unknown causes.

Collaborative Efforts

On their 1980 album, Hold On, the group collaborated with labelmates Switch on the track, "Hold On to My Love." The song features Switch member Bobby DeBarge as the male lead vocalist. He also produced and co-wrote the song.^[2]

Smokey Robinson performed two duets with Barbara Mitchell on Groove Patrol, High Inergy's last album, which was released in 1983.^[3]

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Cat. #	R&B	Pop
1977	Turnin' On[4]	Gordy G6-978 S1	6	28
1978	Steppin' Out[5]	Gordy G7-982 R1	46	42
1979	Shoulda Gone Dancin'[6]	Gordy G7-987 R1	72	147
	Frenzy[7]	Gordy G7-989 R1	—	205
1980	Hold On[2]	Gordy G8-996 M1	70	208
1981	High Inergy[8]	Gordy G8-1005 M1	—	203
1982	So Right[9]	Gordy 6006GL	—	—
1983	Groove Patrol[3]	Gordy 6041GL	62	206

Singles

Year	Single	Cat. No.	R&B	Pop	Dance
1977	You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle of Turning Me On) b/w Save It For A Rainy Day[4]	Gordy G 7155F	2	12	-
1978	Love Is All You Need b/w Some Kinda Magic[4]	Gordy G 7157F	20	89	-
	We Are The Future b/w High School	Gordy G 7160F	77	-	-
	Lovin' Fever b/w Beware	Gordy G 7161F	51	-	-
1979	Shoulda Gone Dancin' b/w Peaceland[6]	Gordy G 7166F	50	-	35
1980	Make Me Yours b/w I Love Makin' Love (To The Music)	Gordy G 7187F	68	-	-
1981	Goin' Through The Motions	Gordy	73	—	-
1982	First Impressions b/w Could This Be Love	Gordy 1613GF	50	-	-
1983	He's A Pretender b/w Don't Let Up On The Groove[3]	Gordy 1662GF	62	82	25

References

1. Lowe, John. "High Inergy - Biography". United States: All Music Guide. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
2. Hold On (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1980.
3. Groove Patrol (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1983.
4. Turnin' On (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1977.
5. Steppin' Out (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1978.
6. Shoulda Gone Dancin (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1979.
7. Frenzy (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1979.
8. High Inergy (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1981.
9. So Right (Media notes). High Inergy. Hollywood, California: Gordy Records. 1982.