Ponderosa Twins Plus One

Ponderosa Twins Plus One was an American soul vocal group formed in 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio. The group featured two sets of identical twins, Alfred and Alvin Pelham, and Keith and Kirk Gardner, along with Ricky Spicer. The group released one studio album, 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One, in 1971, before disbanding in 1975.

Ponderosa Twins Plus One
OriginCleveland, Ohio, United States
GenresR&B, soul, funk, vocal
Years active1970 (1970)–1975 (1975)
LabelsAstroscope, Horoscope
Past members
  • Alfred Pelham
  • Alvin Pelham
  • Keith Gardner
  • Kirk Gardner
  • Ricky Spicer

The group came into prominence after their track, "Bound" was sampled by rapper Kanye West in his 2013 song, "Bound 2". This was followed by a copyright lawsuit by Ricky Spicer. "Bound" was also sampled by rapper Tyler, the Creator in his 2019 song "A Boy Is a Gun".

History

The group was founded in 1969 while the all original members attended the Patrick Henry Jr. High School on the east side of Cleveland. The group was managed by Tony Wilson, who brought them to the attention of Bobby Massey of The O'Jays. Through Massey, the group eventually signed to Chuck Brown's Astroscope record label.[1]

Accompanied by Massey, the group recorded three singles in a studio. Sylvia Robinson, the owner of All Platinum Records, agreed to distribute singles. The group's first single, "You Send Me" became their best-selling single,[1][2] peaking at number 23 at Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles.[3] Following the success of the single, the group toured with artists such as the Moments, the Whatnauts, Linda Jones and Lonnie Youngblood.[1]

In 1971, the group released their debut album, 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One.[1] "Bound" became their second single and peaked at number 47 on Best Selling Soul Singles chart.[4] The second single off the album, a cover of Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", was also released in 1971. It was produced by Calvin Simon of Parliament and Funkadelic.[1]

Due to the lack of royalties and earnings from live shows, the group disbanded in 1975. Following the disestablishment of the act, one of the Pelham twins suffered from mental problems and one of the Gardner twins has been incarcerated in an Ohio penitentiary since 1980 for various offenses.[1] Ricky Spicer became a construction worker in the greater Cleveland area[1] and maintained a friendship with Kirk and Keith Gardner.[5]

Lawsuits

In 2013, Ricky Spicer filed a lawsuit against rapper Kanye West, as well as Roc-A-Fella Records, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Rhino Entertainment and Universal Music Group, citing copyright infringement in West's track, "Bound 2", from his 2013 album, Yeezus.[5][6] Spicer alleged that West didn't ask his permission to use the sample and it was audible in the record, seeking an injunction and damages for alleged violations.[7][8]

In 2014, Spicer sued Vogue magazine and its publisher Condé Nast, after "Bound 2" was used in the promotional behind the scenes video for the magazine's April edition cover, which featured Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.[9][10]

In 2015, court documents revealed that the lawsuit against Kanye West was settled. Ricky Spicer's attorney, Brittany Weiner, from the law firm Imbesi Law P.C., released a statement that the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement.[11]

Discography
Studio albums
Singles

References
  1. Hamilton, Andrew. "The Ponderosa Twins Plus One". Allmusic. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  2. Bottstein, Dan (April 1972). "Gold for All Platinium policy". Billboard. Vol. 84 no. 17. p. 54. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. "Soul Singles chart". Billboard. Vol. 83 no. 46. November 1971. p. 50. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. "Best Selling Soul Singles". Billboard. Vol. 84 no. 2. January 1972. p. 28.
  5. Lee, Ashley (December 25, 2013). "Kanye West Sued Over Sample in 'Bound 2'". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  6. Minsker, Evan (December 24, 2013). "Kanye West Sued Over "Bound 2" Sample". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  7. Ross, Barbara and Bill Hutchinson (December 23, 2013). "Kanye West, labels hit with lawsuit by former child singer for using his voice". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  8. Hogan, Marc (December 26, 2013). "Kanye West's 'Bound 2' Sample Singer Sues Over Copyright". Spin. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  9. Hogan. Marc (April 21, 2014). "Kanye West's 'Bound 2' Legal Fight Hits Vogue". Spin. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  10. Pelly, Jenn (April 21, 2014). "Vogue Sued Over "Bound 2" Sample in Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's Cover Shoot Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  11. Bacle, Ariana. "Kanye West reaches settlement in 'Bound 2' case". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
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