The Atlanta, Georgia, band was started in 1977, when keyboardist / vocalist Jason Bryant, saxophonists Billy Ellis and Willie "Sonny" Killebrew, guitarist Bruno Speight, bassist John Alexander Simpson, drummer James Earl Jones III, and lead vocalist Mary Davis formed a group called Sounds of Santa Monica that played at Atlanta nightclub the Regal Room. Their manager (Bunnie Jackson-Ransom) sent a demo to Clarence Avant, head of Tabu Records. After signing the band to Tabu, Avant suggested that the band work with songwriter/producer Sigidi Abdullah. Abdullah was curious as to why an Atlanta-based band named itself Santa Monica. Keyboardist Jason Bryant replied that the band had an enjoyable concert in
Santa Monica,
California. Abdullah then came up with a new band name, The S.O.S. Band, with S.O.S. standing for "Sounds of Success". Jam and Lewis took over the production duties on their fourth album,
On the Rise, scoring with the number two hit "
Just Be Good to Me" (a song that would later be featured as the theme to
Richard Pryor's stand-up film, "
Here and Now", and in
Grand Theft Auto IV's in-game radio, The Vibe 98.8), and the number five ballad "
Tell Me If You Still Care".
On the Rise became their second gold album, hitting number seven R&B in the summer of 1983. However, she has since returned to perform on select dates. In October 2021, she joined original members of the group, along with more recent members, for a performance at a Birthday celebration for original drummer James Earl Jones III. ==Discography==