Khris Kellow
| The System | |
|---|---|
The System, 1985.
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York, New York, United States |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
David Frank (keyboards) Mic Murphy (vocals, guitar) |
| Years active | 1982–1989 2000–2004 2012–present |
| Labels |
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The System is an American synthpop duo who debuted in the 1980s, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Mic Murphy and seasoned session keyboardist David Frank. The band was founded in 1982 in New York and backed up by Paul Pesco on electric guitar and Kris Khellow on keyboards and synthesizers. The group is sometimes referred to as being "emotio-electro" because of its hi-tech, synthesizer-driven sound, married with passionate vocals and sensitive lyrics.
David Frank and Mic Murphy met in the early 1980s while working for the soul/funk band Kleeer. Frank had gotten a break when Atlantic Records enlisted him as Kleeer's tour keyboardist. The band's road manager was Mic Murphy, and although Murphy was obviously aware of Frank's skills, Frank was unaware Murphy could sing. Later in New York City, David Frank was working on a session that evolved into a track called "It's Passion," which was to feature a pre-stardom Madonna on vocals. However, due to creative differences, Madonna bowed out. Frank then remembered Murphy and invited him work on it. The results were so impressive that Atlantic Records offered Murphy and Frank a recording deal of their own. Murphy came up with the band's name, and within weeks "It's Passion" was receiving massive radio airplay in New York. "It's Passion" became both a radio and club hit in New York. The interest sparked enough interest for Mirage to give David and Mic an advance for an album.
The resulting 1983 album Sweat launched the club hits "Sweat," "I Won't Let Go" and the iconic "You Are in My System," which became a number-ten R&B smash. Robert Palmer's cover of the song became a mainstream rock hit. In 1983, Mic & David also wrote and produced "Pump the Nation," a one-off album for a project called Attitude. Attitude featured Khris Kellow, who worked on many of the System's later albums and appears as a member of the band in the movie Beat Street during the song "Baptize the Beat." It was also around this time that budding session guitarist Paul Pesco began joining the group in the studio and on live tours.
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