Heatwave was formed in the early 70s by a group of U.S. servicemen stationed in Germany.  The group went though various changes in personnel and finally settled in England as a septet featuring vocalist brothers Johnny and Keith Wilder and keyboardist/songwriter Rod Temperton.  It became the first true international dance group, with members from the U.S, England, Czechoslovakia and Spain .   

After gaining a strong following in Europe, Heatwave cut its first album, Too Hot to Handle, in 1976. The album's first single, "Boogie Nights," became an international #1 hit and perhaps the definitive song of the disco era.  They followed it with the equally memorable ballad, "Always and Forever."  Too Hot introduced the world to the funky, full beats that would become a Heatwave trademark, as well as to the songwriting of Rod Temperton, who would leave the group in 1979 to become the writing force behind Quincy Jones' greatest 70s and 80s productions for Michael Jackson, the Brothers Johnson and others.

1978's Central Heating continued Heatwave's winning streak, nabbing a top 5 spot with the scorching "Groove Line."  The next year, however, would be the most trying for the group.  At a time when their Hot Property LP was sinking on the charts, guitarist Mario Mantese was attacked and stabbed on a London street, leaving him in a coma for weeks and in recovery for months. And lead vocalist Johnny Wilder was in a tragic auto accident that ultimately left him paralyzed from the neck down.   

Heatwave recruited new vocalist JD Nicholas (later a member of the Commodores) to replace Johnny Wilder on tour.  Amazingly, Wilder, while paralyzed, came back to handle production and lead vocals on the group's next album, Candles.  Particularly poignant was his work on the ballad "All I Am," which began "Who do you think you see when you look at me?  Is it somebody strong?  Somebody you could admire?"  Candles was a wonderful outing for the group and featured the minor hit "Gangsters of the Groove."  The group would release one more Columbia studio album, Current, but ultimately broke up in the late 80s as their popularity waned.  

Keith Wilder re-formed Heatwave with some old and some new members in the early 90s, and the group has toured regularly, also recording a live 1997 disc.  Johnny Wilder used his experience as a spiritual awakening and became a noted producer of a cappella gospel in the 90s.  He released two gospel albums, My Goal and One More Day, and produced a number of gospel albums for other acts. Sadly, he died on May 13, 2006 at his home near Dayton, Ohio.

By Chris Rizik