Richard Finch (born January 23, 1954 - ), legendary co-founder/bassist/song arranger/writer/producer and engineer of the mega-group "KC & the Sunshine Band" is renowned for developing a unique fusion of R&B, Funky Soul and Country, meshed with a Latin/Caribbean groove which catapulted the band to worldwide fame. Through his creative vision, consumer insight and engineering expertise, Finch has given the world a timeless catalog of hits a...
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Richard Finch (born January 23, 1954 - ), legendary co-founder/bassist/song arranger/writer/producer and engineer of the mega-group "KC & the Sunshine Band" is renowned for developing a unique fusion of R&B, Funky Soul and Country, meshed with a Latin/Caribbean groove which catapulted the band to worldwide fame. Through his creative vision, consumer insight and engineering expertise, Finch has given the world a timeless catalog of hits and a musical legacy seldom matched by few.
With sales of over 100 million recordings worldwide, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards, 14 BMI Songwriter/Arranger Awards, an American Music Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, KC & The Sunshine Band (as a result of Finch’s catchy music compositions and precise hard hitting production quality!) is considered one of the most successful music groups of all time and is credited with changing the sound of 20th Century pop music.
Through Finch’s recording studio innovations, KC & The Sunshine Band became the first band
to score four #1 pop singles in one 12-month period with three crossover #1 hits.
Two of their albums achieved triple platinum status.
The magic began in 1972 when Finch met part-time warehouse worker/office clerk Harry Wayne Casey at TK Records in Miami through an introduction by producer Willie Clark. As TK’s budding teenage prodigy, Finch had already established himself as an engineering genius, with over 127 singles completed before the age of 17 (including miscellaneous tracks for the Allman Brothers and Mother’s Finest). Within weeks of meeting, the Finch/Casey songwriting collaboration began, with their first hit songs recorded by Betty Wright and George McCrae (“Where Is The Love” and “Rock Your Baby”). Finch then assembled the future “Sunshine Band” members, utilizing his already established friendships with TK session musicians, Jerome Smith (guitarist) and drummer Robert Johnson. Soon after, skyrocketing fame rained on KC & The Sunshine Band, thanks to their danceable hits, Get Down Tonight, That’s The Way (I Like It), Boogie Shoes, I’m Your Boogie Man, Shake Your Booty, Keep It Comin’ Love, and a slow ballad, Please Don’t Go.
The music co-created, produced and arranged by Rick Finch is a staple in Music Americana and has been used in thousands of commercials worldwide, including ads for General Motors, Budweiser, Burger King, Payless Shoes, Papa Jon’s Pizza, Old Navy, and Nick at Night and has also been featured in hundreds of movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “Boogie Nights,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Rush Hour,” “Carlito’s Way,” “Austin Powers Goldmember” and “The Wedding Date.” Numerous television and game shows (“Desperate Housewives,” “Ally McBeal,” “American Bandstand’s 50th Anniversary Party,” “Don’t Forget The Lyrics” and “Swingtown”) have also incorporated this ageless collection.
Rick Finch’s bass lines and drum grooves are known worldwide as an industry standard and staple in the Hip Hop industry, sampled by artists such as 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Ultra Nate and Beyoncé, just to name a few.
Even though the original “KC & the Sunshine Band” is no more, Finch’s same passion, drive, meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication continues to this day, and is reflected in every music project he undertakes and through every new artist he mentors.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Voting/Nominating member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) - The Grammy Awards
Member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
