The Story

This soulful group from Chicago was formed in 1975 by a young gifted guitarist name GARY MOTEN. Gary played around his neighborhood with his good friends, drummer JAMES “POP” ARCHIE. Fellow guitarist “JUNE” OTIS DAVIS JR. and Bass player CRAIG BENARD, who he later found out was his brother. Playing in a local juke joint Gary began to find all the pieces that would form the sound of the band. While visiting a church he met Keyboard player DERRICK JONES, and Vocalist CURTIS LEWIS. The two joined the group shortly after. After finding the proper management the group added another Keyboard player, and Vocalist, CLAY JACKSON. The group signed with Ambience Records. Their first album titled “ICEMOSIS ” went to number six on the soul and R&B charts. Shortly after the records release, “POP” went to prison and was replaced by Los Angeles native, DEWAYNE REMBERT. The follow up album “ICEMOSIS II” did even better reaching a number two spot on the charts. In 1978 the group released their third album “THE PLACE TO BE”. The first single “All Because of you” , hit the discos and introduced the group to a new fan base. The song went to number seven on the pop chart, and number three on the Soul and R&B charts. The second single “THE PLACE TO BE” was another smash hit and toped the soul charts at number one. The third single “MOVING ON” also went number one. Seems the group could do no wrong, on the outside they were the picture of success, but the group had it's problems. Along with drugs and booze. C.J. and Gary had begun quarreling over the production of the music. This rumored to be what lead up to the bus crash the band had near Miami in 79. None of the band was serious injured, but the tour bus driver and a girl was killed.

Karen Davis, the now famed publicist, was a reporter for Soul to Soul magazine in the 70's. She was the last person to interview the band while they were out on tour in 1979 with Cameo and Con funk shun. Karen was allowed back stage in Atlanta before and after the show and got some great stuff from most of the members. Answers to questions that many of the fans wanted to know. Although she has been offered much for the footage, she has held on to this footage since that time.


	Home Page \| The Band \| Soundtrack \| Production Stills \| Cast & Crew The Story: THE FACES OF FUNK, the story of Icemosis... This soulful group from Chicago was formed in 1975 by a young gifted guitarist name GARY MOTEN. Gary played around his neighborhood with his good friends, drummer JAMES “POP” ARCHIE. Fellow guitarist “JUNE” OTIS DAVIS JR. and Bass player CRAIG BENARD, who he later found out was his brother. Playing in a local juke joint Gary began to find all the pieces that would form the sound of the band. While visiting a church he met Keyboard player DERRICK JONES, and Vocalist CURTIS LEWIS. The two joined the group shortly after. After finding the proper management the group added another Keyboard player, and Vocalist, CLAY JACKSON. The group signed with Ambience Records. Their first album titled “ICEMOSIS ” went to number six on the soul and R&B charts. Shortly after the records release, “POP” went to prison and was replaced by Los Angeles native, DEWAYNE REMBERT. The follow up album “ICEMOSIS II” did even better reaching a number two spot on the charts. In 1978 the group released their third album “THE PLACE TO BE”. The first single “All Because of you” , hit the discos and introduced the group to a new fan base. The song went to number seven on the pop chart, and number three on the Soul and R&B charts. The second single “THE PLACE TO BE” was another smash hit and toped the soul charts at number one. The third single “MOVING ON” also went number one. Seems the group could do no wrong, on the outside they were the picture of success, but the group had it's problems. Along with drugs and booze. C.J. and Gary had begun quarreling over the production of the music. This rumored to be what lead up to the bus crash the band had near Miami in 79. None of the band was serious injured, but the tour bus driver and a girl was killed. Karen Davis, the now famed publicist, was a reporter for Soul to Soul magazine in the 70's. She was the last person to interview the band while they were out on tour in 1979 with Cameo and Con funk shun. Karen was allowed back stage in Atlanta before and after the show and got some great stuff from most of the members. Answers to questions that many of the fans wanted to know. Although she has been offered much for the footage, she has held on to this footage since that time. THE FACES OF FUNK©2008 produced by FAY Productions distributed by PearlWillia Films