| Revision as of 00:36, 16 March 2011 edit178.73.192.87 (talk) →Death← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:56, 13 April 2011 edit undoIohannes Animosus (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users36,179 editsm Typo fixing using AWBNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{cleanup|date=November 2008}} | {{cleanup|date=November 2008}} | ||
| '''Jacques Fred Petrus''' (born February |
'''Jacques Fred Petrus''' (born February 22 1948 in ], ], died June 8 1987 in Sainte-Anne Guadeloupe, French West Indies) was a French-Italian businessman and a pioneer of Italian ] music. | ||
| ==Early years== | ==Early years== | ||
| ⚫ | He worked as a diesel-engine mechanic on a cargo ship aged only 15 before his early interest for ] and Soul music brought him to ] where he worked as a ] at different clubs, including the legendary jet-set nightclub "Club Saint-Hilaire". | ||
| ⚫ | In the early 70s he moved to ], ] and continued his career as a DJ for several famous local clubs like "Good Mood". After a crucial meeting with music student ] (°1958) in Bologna, who became his working partner and main song writer and producer, they formed a production company called Goody Music Productions (GMP), invested in a recording studio in ] and created their own Goody Music record label. | ||
| ⚫ | He worked as a diesel-engine mechanic on a cargo ship aged only 15 before his early interest for ] and Soul music brought him to ] where he worked as a ] at different clubs, including the legendary jet-set nightclub "Club Saint-Hilaire". |
||
| ⚫ | In the early 70s he moved to ], ] and continued his career as a DJ for several famous local clubs like "Good Mood". After a crucial meeting with music student ] (°1958) in Bologna, who became his working partner and main song writer and producer, they formed a production company called Goody Music Productions (GMP), invested in a recording studio in ] and created their own Goody Music record label. |
||
| In 1978 the associates released their first studio project called ] which was followed by more or less commercially successful productions like Revanche and ]. But it wasn't until 1980, when their latest creation called ] was revealed, that Petrus and Malavasi reached their goal of world wide success. In 1979 Little Macho Music became the name of Jacques Fred Petrus' international music company. | In 1978 the associates released their first studio project called ] which was followed by more or less commercially successful productions like Revanche and ]. But it wasn't until 1980, when their latest creation called ] was revealed, that Petrus and Malavasi reached their goal of world wide success. In 1979 Little Macho Music became the name of Jacques Fred Petrus' international music company. | ||
| ==Change - Petrus' biggest success== | ==Change - Petrus' biggest success== | ||
| ⚫ | When ] hit the market in 1980 with their debut album "The Glow of Love" Petrus and Malavasi didn't realise the magnitude of the success that was to come. Petrus used two other Italian musicians besides Malavasi on this album, bassist ] (°1959) and guitarist ]. Romani, who not only wrote the No 1 hits "A Lover's Holiday" and "The Glow of Love" (vocals by ], who was hired by Petrus to perform together with ]), but also arranged and conducted the entire set in conjunction with Gianolio. Besides "A Lover's Holiday" which reached the No 1 spot on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play for nine weeks the album also received 7 Grammy Award nominations. | ||
| ⚫ | When ] hit the market in 1980 with their debut album "The Glow of Love" Petrus and Malavasi didn't realise the magnitude of the success that was to come. Petrus used two other Italian musicians besides Malavasi on this album, bassist ] (°1959) |
||
| Although similarities with famous disco band ], which was a source of inspiration for Romani, Change had their own slick and sophisticated blend of Eurodisco and American Chic'esque R&B-disco. From 1980 to 1983 when Chic's fame was waning Change managed to climb higher on the charts each year, a rather satisfying and amusing fact for the founders Petrus, Malavasi, Romani and Gianolio. Although Jacques Fred Petrus released many other tracks with many other artists, none achieved the same fame and success as Change. | Although similarities with famous disco band ], which was a source of inspiration for Romani, Change had their own slick and sophisticated blend of Eurodisco and American Chic'esque R&B-disco. From 1980 to 1983 when Chic's fame was waning Change managed to climb higher on the charts each year, a rather satisfying and amusing fact for the founders Petrus, Malavasi, Romani and Gianolio. Although Jacques Fred Petrus released many other tracks with many other artists, none achieved the same fame and success as Change. | ||
| ==Other projects until 1986== | ==Other projects until 1986== | ||
| ⚫ | Early Petrus projects included Macho (1978), Elvin Shaad (1978), Peter Jacques Band (1979), Revanche (1979), Rudy (a solo album in 1979 of the Italian Goody Music collaborator Rudy Trevisi), Midnight Gang (1979), A.N.T.I. Rock (1980) (the Italian version of Ottawan's disco hit D.I.S.C.O.), The Jumpers (1980), Gianni Riso (1980) and Caprice (1980). | ||
| ⚫ | After the tremendous hype with Change Petrus and Malavasi launched several new projects like The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens band (]) in 1981, High Fashion (1982) (including the Romani/Malavasi penned hit "Feelin' lucky lately" which reached the No 32 spot on Billboards R&B chart), Silence (a pop album released in 1982) and Zinc (1982). Petrus and his troupe of Italian studio musicians and writers also co-wrote and produced parts of The Ritchie Family's 1982 album "I'll do my Best". The title track became a club hit, and was penned by Malavasi. Of all these new projects the ] was by far the most successful concept. Their self-titled 1981 debut album included "On the Beat" (by Malavasi), a highly catchy and hypnotic dance floor filler with a powerful intro that rocketed to the No 8 spot on the Billboard black singles charts. | ||
| ⚫ | Early Petrus projects included Macho (1978), Elvin Shaad (1978), Peter Jacques Band (1979), Revanche (1979), Rudy (a solo album in 1979 of the Italian Goody Music collaborator Rudy Trevisi), Midnight Gang (1979), A.N.T.I. Rock (1980) (the Italian version of Ottawan's disco hit D.I.S.C.O.), The Jumpers (1980), Gianni Riso (1980) and Caprice (1980). |
||
| ⚫ | During the second part of the 80's Petrus achieved success with album releases of B.B.&Q. Band (1985), Peter Jacques Band (1985) and Change (1985). In 1985 Jacques Fred Petrus started up a new production company and record label called Renaissance International. Vedette International was the name of his new publishing company. Less successful projects in 1984 and 1985 (often single releases) included Tato (1985), Macho III (1984), M Like Moon (1984), Nobel (1985), Midnight Gang (1984), Persuader (1985) and Silence 2 (1984). | ||
| ⚫ | After the tremendous hype with Change Petrus and Malavasi launched several new projects like The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens band (]) in 1981, High Fashion (1982) (including the Romani/Malavasi penned hit "Feelin' lucky lately" which reached the No 32 spot on Billboards R&B chart), Silence (a pop album released in 1982) and Zinc (1982). Petrus and his troupe of Italian studio musicians and writers also co-wrote and produced parts of The Ritchie Family's 1982 album "I'll do my Best". The title track became a club hit, and was penned by Malavasi. Of all these new projects the ] was by far the most successful concept. Their self-titled 1981 debut album included "On the Beat" (by Malavasi), a highly catchy and hypnotic dance floor filler with a powerful intro that rocketed to the No 8 spot on the Billboard black singles charts. |
||
| ⚫ | During the second part of the 80's Petrus achieved success with album releases of B.B.&Q. Band (1985), Peter Jacques Band (1985) and Change (1985). In 1985 Jacques Fred Petrus started up a new production company and record label called Renaissance International. Vedette International was the name of his new publishing company. Less successful projects in 1984 and 1985 (often single releases) included Tato (1985), Macho III (1984), M Like Moon (1984), Nobel (1985), Midnight Gang (1984), Persuader (1985) and Silence 2 (1984). |
||
| ==Death== | ==Death== | ||
| In the course of 1986 Fred Petrus decided to put his music industry activities on hold and moved back to his native island of Guadeloupe. | In the course of 1986 Fred Petrus decided to put his music industry activities on hold and moved back to his native island of Guadeloupe. | ||
| Petrus was murdered in the Spring of |
Petrus was murdered in the Spring of 1987 in Guadeloupe under mysterious circumstances. He was only 39 years old. The official version from the French police reported that there had been problems with a Swiss tourist who attended the club owned by Petrus. The club L'Elysée Matignon was situated in the tourist area of the Marina Bas-du-Fort in Le Gosier which is the main seaside resort of Guadeloupe and the heart of the island’s night life. The tourist was, for an unknown reason, refused entry to the club and a harsh argument seemed to have occurred between him and Petrus. Later on the same night the tourist decided to follow Petrus to his villa in Sainte-Anne where he shot him dead. | ||
| ==Producer |
==Producer discography== | ||
| * A.N.T.I. Rock: single “D.I.S.C.O.”, Goody Music, 1980. | * A.N.T.I. Rock: single “D.I.S.C.O.”, Goody Music, 1980. | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band, EMI-Capitol, 1981 | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band, EMI-Capitol, 1981 | ||
| singles: “On The Beat”, “Starlette”, “Time For Love”, "Mistakes". | singles: “On The Beat”, “Starlette”, “Time For Love”, "Mistakes". | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD All Night Long, EMI-Capitol, 1982 | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD All Night Long, EMI-Capitol, 1982 | ||
| singles: “Imagination”, “All Night Long (She’s Got The Moves I Like)”. | singles: “Imagination”, “All Night Long (She’s Got The Moves I Like)”. | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Six Million Times, EMI-Capitol, 1983 | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Six Million Times, EMI-Capitol, 1983 | ||
| singles: “Keep It Hot”, “She’s A Woman”. | singles: “Keep It Hot”, “She’s A Woman”. | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Genie, Cooltempo/Break/Zyx/Mega, 1985 | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Genie, Cooltempo/Break/Zyx/Mega, 1985 | ||
| singles: “Genie”, “Dreamer”, “On The Shelf”, “Riccochet”, "Minutes Away", "Main Attraction". | singles: “Genie”, “Dreamer”, “On The Shelf”, “Riccochet”, "Minutes Away", "Main Attraction". | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Best Of B.B.& Q. Band, Italo Heat, 1988. | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Best Of B.B.& Q. Band, Italo Heat, 1988. | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Final Collection, Fonte, 2008. | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Final Collection, Fonte, 2008. | ||
| * B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009. | * B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009. | ||
| ⚫ | * Caprice: LP Russia, Goody Music, 1980. | ||
| ⚫ | * Caprice: LP Russia, Goody Music, 1980. |
||
| singles: "Russia", "Stay Tonight". | singles: "Russia", "Stay Tonight". | ||
| * Change: LP/CD The Glow Of Love, Goody Music/RFC-Warner Bros., 1980 | * Change: LP/CD The Glow Of Love, Goody Music/RFC-Warner Bros., 1980 | ||
| singles: “A Lover’s Holiday”, “The Glow Of Love”, “Searching”, "Angel In My Pocket". | singles: “A Lover’s Holiday”, “The Glow Of Love”, “Searching”, "Angel In My Pocket". | ||
| * Change: LP/CD Miracles, Goody Music/RFC-Atlantic, 1981 | * Change: LP/CD Miracles, Goody Music/RFC-Atlantic, 1981 | ||
| singles: “Paradise”, “Hold Tight”, “Miracles”, "Stop For Love", "Heaven Of My Life". | singles: “Paradise”, “Hold Tight”, “Miracles”, "Stop For Love", "Heaven Of My Life". | ||
| * Change: LP/CD Sharing Your Love, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1982 | * Change: LP/CD Sharing Your Love, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1982 | ||
| singles: “The Very Best In You”, “Hard Times (It’s Gonna Be Alright)”, “Oh What A Night”, “Keep On It”, "Sharing Your Love". | singles: “The Very Best In You”, “Hard Times (It’s Gonna Be Alright)”, “Oh What A Night”, “Keep On It”, "Sharing Your Love". | ||
| * Change: LP/CD This Is Your Time, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1983 | * Change: LP/CD This Is Your Time, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1983 | ||
| singles: “Got To Get Up”, “This Is Your Time”, “Don’t Wait Another Night”, “Magical Night”. | singles: “Got To Get Up”, “This Is Your Time”, “Don’t Wait Another Night”, “Magical Night”. | ||
| * Change: LP/CD Change Of Heart, Five/RFC-Atlantic, 1984 | * Change: LP/CD Change Of Heart, Five/RFC-Atlantic, 1984 | ||
| singles: “Change Of Heart”, “You Are My Melody”, "Say You Love Me Again", “It Burns Me Up”. | singles: “Change Of Heart”, “You Are My Melody”, "Say You Love Me Again", “It Burns Me Up”. | ||
| * Change: LP Greatest Hits, Renaissance International, 1985. | * Change: LP Greatest Hits, Renaissance International, 1985. | ||
| * Change: LP/CD Turn On Your Radio, Renaissance International/RFC-Atlantic, 1985 | * Change: LP/CD Turn On Your Radio, Renaissance International/RFC-Atlantic, 1985 | ||
| singles: “Let’s Go Together”, “Oh What A Feeling”, “Mutual Attraction”, "Examination", "Turn On Your Radio". | singles: “Let’s Go Together”, “Oh What A Feeling”, “Mutual Attraction”, "Examination", "Turn On Your Radio". | ||
| * Change: CD The Very Best Of Change, Rhino-Atlantic, 1998. | * Change: CD The Very Best Of Change, Rhino-Atlantic, 1998. | ||
| * Change: 2CD The Best Of Change, Warner Music, 2003. | * Change: 2CD The Best Of Change, Warner Music, 2003. | ||
| * Change: 2CD The Final Collection, Fonte, 2007. | * Change: 2CD The Final Collection, Fonte, 2007. | ||
| * Change: 2CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009. | * Change: 2CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009. | ||
| * Elvin Shaad: LP Live For Love, Goody Music, 1978 | * Elvin Shaad: LP Live For Love, Goody Music, 1978 | ||
| single: “Live For Love”. |
single: “Live For Love”. | ||
| * Goody Music Orchestra, The: LP Hits Of The World Vol. 1 - Best Of Goody, Goody Music, 1980. | * Goody Music Orchestra, The: LP Hits Of The World Vol. 1 - Best Of Goody, Goody Music, 1980. | ||
| * High Fashion: LP/CD Feelin’ Lucky, EMI-Capitol, 1982 | * High Fashion: LP/CD Feelin’ Lucky, EMI-Capitol, 1982 | ||
| singles: “Feelin’ Lucky Lately”, "You're The Winner", “Hold On”. | singles: “Feelin’ Lucky Lately”, "You're The Winner", “Hold On”. | ||
| * High Fashion: LP/CD Make Up Your Mind, EMI-Capitol, 1983 | * High Fashion: LP/CD Make Up Your Mind, EMI-Capitol, 1983 | ||
| single: “Break Up”, "Make Up Your Mind". | single: “Break Up”, "Make Up Your Mind". | ||
| * Gianni Riso: single “Disco Shy”, Goody Music, 1980. | * Gianni Riso: single “Disco Shy”, Goody Music, 1980. | ||
| * Jumpers, The: single “Coke And Roll”, Goody Music, 1980. | * Jumpers, The: single “Coke And Roll”, Goody Music, 1980. | ||
| * M Like Moon: single “Sunlight”, Flarenasch/Ariola, 1984 / Renaissance International 1985. | * M Like Moon: single “Sunlight”, Flarenasch/Ariola, 1984 / Renaissance International 1985. | ||
| * Macho: LP/CD I’m A Man, Goody Music/Prelude, 1978 | * Macho: LP/CD I’m A Man, Goody Music/Prelude, 1978 | ||
| singles: “I’m A Man”, “Hear Me Calling”. | singles: “I’m A Man”, “Hear Me Calling”. | ||
| * Macho (II): LP/CD Roll, Goody Music, 1980 | * Macho (II): LP/CD Roll, Goody Music, 1980 | ||
| singles: “Roll”, “Mothers Love”, "Not Tonight". | singles: “Roll”, “Mothers Love”, "Not Tonight". | ||
| * Macho III: single “Kalimba De Luna”, Flarenasch/Five, 1984. | * Macho III: single “Kalimba De Luna”, Flarenasch/Five, 1984. | ||
| * Midnight Gang: LP Love Is Magic, Goody Music, 1979 | * Midnight Gang: LP Love Is Magic, Goody Music, 1979 | ||
| singles: “Love Is Magic”, “Midnight Game”. | singles: “Love Is Magic”, “Midnight Game”. | ||
| * Midnight Gang: single "Holliwood City", Speed, 1984. | * Midnight Gang: single "Holliwood City", Speed, 1984. | ||
| * Nobel: single “Turn On Your Radio”, Renaissance International, 1985. | * Nobel: single “Turn On Your Radio”, Renaissance International, 1985. | ||
| * Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Fire Night Dance, Goody Music/Prelude, 1979 | * Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Fire Night Dance, Goody Music/Prelude, 1979 | ||
| singles: “Walking On Music”, “Fire Night Dance”, “Devil’s Run”, “Fly With The Wind”. | singles: “Walking On Music”, “Fire Night Dance”, “Devil’s Run”, “Fly With The Wind”. | ||
| * Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Welcome Back, Goody Music, 1980 | * Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Welcome Back, Goody Music, 1980 | ||
| singles: “Is It It”, “Counting On Love (One-Two-Three)”, “The Louder”, “Mighty Fine”. | singles: “Is It It”, “Counting On Love (One-Two-Three)”, “The Louder”, “Mighty Fine”. | ||
| * Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Dancing In The Street, Renaissance International/Polydor, 1985 | * Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Dancing In The Street, Renaissance International/Polydor, 1985 | ||
| singles: “Going Dancin’ Down The Street”, “Mexico”, “Drive Me Crazy”, "This Night". | singles: “Going Dancin’ Down The Street”, “Mexico”, “Drive Me Crazy”, "This Night". | ||
| * Peter Jacques Band: CD The Very Best Of Peter Jacques Band, Fonte, 2006. | * Peter Jacques Band: CD The Very Best Of Peter Jacques Band, Fonte, 2006. | ||
| * Peter Jacques Band: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009. | * Peter Jacques Band: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009. | ||
| * Persuader: single "So Decide", Renaissance International, 1985. | * Persuader: single "So Decide", Renaissance International, 1985. | ||
| * Revanche: LP/CD Music Man, Goody Music/Atlantic, 1979 | * Revanche: LP/CD Music Man, Goody Music/Atlantic, 1979 | ||
| singles: “Music Man”, “Revenge”, “You Get High In N.Y.C.”, “1979 It’s Dancing Time”. | singles: “Music Man”, “Revenge”, “You Get High In N.Y.C.”, “1979 It’s Dancing Time”. | ||
| * Ritchie Family, The: LP/CD I’ll Do My Best, RCA, 1982 | * Ritchie Family, The: LP/CD I’ll Do My Best, RCA, 1982 | ||
| singles: "I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby)", “Walk With Me”, “Alright On The Night”. | singles: "I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby)", “Walk With Me”, “Alright On The Night”. | ||
| * Rudy: LP/CD Just Take My Body, Goody Music/Polydor, 1979 | * Rudy: LP/CD Just Take My Body, Goody Music/Polydor, 1979 | ||
| singles: “White Room”, “Just Take My Body”, “Thank You Baby”. | singles: “White Room”, “Just Take My Body”, “Thank You Baby”. | ||
| * Silence: LP Goodtime Baby, Memory, 1982 | * Silence: LP Goodtime Baby, Memory, 1982 | ||
| singles: “Midnight Visitors”, “No Way”. | singles: “Midnight Visitors”, “No Way”. | ||
| * Silence 2: LP The Beast In Me, Flarenasch/Five, 1984 | * Silence 2: LP The Beast In Me, Flarenasch/Five, 1984 | ||
| single: "The Beast In Me". | single: "The Beast In Me". | ||
| * Tato: single "Crazy Boy", Renaissance International, 1985. | * Tato: single "Crazy Boy", Renaissance International, 1985. | ||
| * Zinc: LP/CD Street Level, Memory/Jive, 1982 | * Zinc: LP/CD Street Level, Memory/Jive, 1982 | ||
| singles: “Street Level”, “Punkulation”, "Amazon", "I'll Never Stop". | singles: “Street Level”, “Punkulation”, "Amazon", "I'll Never Stop". | ||
| * Zinc: single “I’m Livin' A Life Of Love”, Jive, 1983. | * Zinc: single “I’m Livin' A Life Of Love”, Jive, 1983. | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| * Jacques Fred Petrus biography | * Jacques Fred Petrus biography | ||
| *http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry |
* http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * Jacques Fred Petrus biography | * Jacques Fred Petrus biography | ||
| *http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry | * http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry | ||
| *http://www.facebook.com/pages/GOODY-MUSIC-LITTLE-MACHO-MUSIC/125608788463 Goody Music & Little Macho Music |
* http://www.facebook.com/pages/GOODY-MUSIC-LITTLE-MACHO-MUSIC/125608788463 Goody Music & Little Macho Music | ||
| *http://www.freestylegrooves.com/docs/roots10.htm Jacques Fred Petrus biography | * http://www.freestylegrooves.com/docs/roots10.htm Jacques Fred Petrus biography | ||
| {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. --> | {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. --> | ||
| | NAME |
| NAME = Petrus, Jacques Fred | ||
| | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | ||
| | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | ||
| | DATE OF BIRTH |
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1949 | ||
| | PLACE OF BIRTH |
| PLACE OF BIRTH = | ||
| | DATE OF DEATH |
| DATE OF DEATH = 1987 | ||
| | PLACE OF DEATH |
| PLACE OF DEATH = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Petrus, Jacques Fred}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Petrus, Jacques Fred}} | ||
Revision as of 19:56, 13 April 2011
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Misplaced Pages's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can. (November 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Jacques Fred Petrus (born February 22 1948 in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, died June 8 1987 in Sainte-Anne Guadeloupe, French West Indies) was a French-Italian businessman and a pioneer of Italian Disco music.
Early years
He worked as a diesel-engine mechanic on a cargo ship aged only 15 before his early interest for R&B and Soul music brought him to Paris where he worked as a DJ at different clubs, including the legendary jet-set nightclub "Club Saint-Hilaire".
In the early 70s he moved to Milan, Italy and continued his career as a DJ for several famous local clubs like "Good Mood". After a crucial meeting with music student Mauro Malavasi (°1958) in Bologna, who became his working partner and main song writer and producer, they formed a production company called Goody Music Productions (GMP), invested in a recording studio in Bologna and created their own Goody Music record label.
In 1978 the associates released their first studio project called Macho which was followed by more or less commercially successful productions like Revanche and Peter Jacques band. But it wasn't until 1980, when their latest creation called Change was revealed, that Petrus and Malavasi reached their goal of world wide success. In 1979 Little Macho Music became the name of Jacques Fred Petrus' international music company.
Change - Petrus' biggest success
When Change hit the market in 1980 with their debut album "The Glow of Love" Petrus and Malavasi didn't realise the magnitude of the success that was to come. Petrus used two other Italian musicians besides Malavasi on this album, bassist Davide Romani (°1959) and guitarist Paolo Gianolio. Romani, who not only wrote the No 1 hits "A Lover's Holiday" and "The Glow of Love" (vocals by Luther Vandross, who was hired by Petrus to perform together with Jocelyn Brown), but also arranged and conducted the entire set in conjunction with Gianolio. Besides "A Lover's Holiday" which reached the No 1 spot on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play for nine weeks the album also received 7 Grammy Award nominations.
Although similarities with famous disco band Chic, which was a source of inspiration for Romani, Change had their own slick and sophisticated blend of Eurodisco and American Chic'esque R&B-disco. From 1980 to 1983 when Chic's fame was waning Change managed to climb higher on the charts each year, a rather satisfying and amusing fact for the founders Petrus, Malavasi, Romani and Gianolio. Although Jacques Fred Petrus released many other tracks with many other artists, none achieved the same fame and success as Change.
Other projects until 1986
Early Petrus projects included Macho (1978), Elvin Shaad (1978), Peter Jacques Band (1979), Revanche (1979), Rudy (a solo album in 1979 of the Italian Goody Music collaborator Rudy Trevisi), Midnight Gang (1979), A.N.T.I. Rock (1980) (the Italian version of Ottawan's disco hit D.I.S.C.O.), The Jumpers (1980), Gianni Riso (1980) and Caprice (1980).
After the tremendous hype with Change Petrus and Malavasi launched several new projects like The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens band (B. B. & Q. band) in 1981, High Fashion (1982) (including the Romani/Malavasi penned hit "Feelin' lucky lately" which reached the No 32 spot on Billboards R&B chart), Silence (a pop album released in 1982) and Zinc (1982). Petrus and his troupe of Italian studio musicians and writers also co-wrote and produced parts of The Ritchie Family's 1982 album "I'll do my Best". The title track became a club hit, and was penned by Malavasi. Of all these new projects the B. B. & Q. band was by far the most successful concept. Their self-titled 1981 debut album included "On the Beat" (by Malavasi), a highly catchy and hypnotic dance floor filler with a powerful intro that rocketed to the No 8 spot on the Billboard black singles charts.
During the second part of the 80's Petrus achieved success with album releases of B.B.&Q. Band (1985), Peter Jacques Band (1985) and Change (1985). In 1985 Jacques Fred Petrus started up a new production company and record label called Renaissance International. Vedette International was the name of his new publishing company. Less successful projects in 1984 and 1985 (often single releases) included Tato (1985), Macho III (1984), M Like Moon (1984), Nobel (1985), Midnight Gang (1984), Persuader (1985) and Silence 2 (1984).
Death
In the course of 1986 Fred Petrus decided to put his music industry activities on hold and moved back to his native island of Guadeloupe.
Petrus was murdered in the Spring of 1987 in Guadeloupe under mysterious circumstances. He was only 39 years old. The official version from the French police reported that there had been problems with a Swiss tourist who attended the club owned by Petrus. The club L'Elysée Matignon was situated in the tourist area of the Marina Bas-du-Fort in Le Gosier which is the main seaside resort of Guadeloupe and the heart of the island’s night life. The tourist was, for an unknown reason, refused entry to the club and a harsh argument seemed to have occurred between him and Petrus. Later on the same night the tourist decided to follow Petrus to his villa in Sainte-Anne where he shot him dead.
Producer discography
- A.N.T.I. Rock: single “D.I.S.C.O.”, Goody Music, 1980.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band, EMI-Capitol, 1981
singles: “On The Beat”, “Starlette”, “Time For Love”, "Mistakes".
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD All Night Long, EMI-Capitol, 1982
singles: “Imagination”, “All Night Long (She’s Got The Moves I Like)”.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Six Million Times, EMI-Capitol, 1983
singles: “Keep It Hot”, “She’s A Woman”.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD Genie, Cooltempo/Break/Zyx/Mega, 1985
singles: “Genie”, “Dreamer”, “On The Shelf”, “Riccochet”, "Minutes Away", "Main Attraction".
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: LP/CD The Best Of B.B.& Q. Band, Italo Heat, 1988.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Final Collection, Fonte, 2008.
- B.B.& Q. Band, The: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009.
- Caprice: LP Russia, Goody Music, 1980.
singles: "Russia", "Stay Tonight".
- Change: LP/CD The Glow Of Love, Goody Music/RFC-Warner Bros., 1980
singles: “A Lover’s Holiday”, “The Glow Of Love”, “Searching”, "Angel In My Pocket".
- Change: LP/CD Miracles, Goody Music/RFC-Atlantic, 1981
singles: “Paradise”, “Hold Tight”, “Miracles”, "Stop For Love", "Heaven Of My Life".
- Change: LP/CD Sharing Your Love, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1982
singles: “The Very Best In You”, “Hard Times (It’s Gonna Be Alright)”, “Oh What A Night”, “Keep On It”, "Sharing Your Love".
- Change: LP/CD This Is Your Time, Memory/RFC-Atlantic, 1983
singles: “Got To Get Up”, “This Is Your Time”, “Don’t Wait Another Night”, “Magical Night”.
- Change: LP/CD Change Of Heart, Five/RFC-Atlantic, 1984
singles: “Change Of Heart”, “You Are My Melody”, "Say You Love Me Again", “It Burns Me Up”.
- Change: LP Greatest Hits, Renaissance International, 1985.
- Change: LP/CD Turn On Your Radio, Renaissance International/RFC-Atlantic, 1985
singles: “Let’s Go Together”, “Oh What A Feeling”, “Mutual Attraction”, "Examination", "Turn On Your Radio".
- Change: CD The Very Best Of Change, Rhino-Atlantic, 1998.
- Change: 2CD The Best Of Change, Warner Music, 2003.
- Change: 2CD The Final Collection, Fonte, 2007.
- Change: 2CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009.
- Elvin Shaad: LP Live For Love, Goody Music, 1978
single: “Live For Love”.
- Goody Music Orchestra, The: LP Hits Of The World Vol. 1 - Best Of Goody, Goody Music, 1980.
- High Fashion: LP/CD Feelin’ Lucky, EMI-Capitol, 1982
singles: “Feelin’ Lucky Lately”, "You're The Winner", “Hold On”.
- High Fashion: LP/CD Make Up Your Mind, EMI-Capitol, 1983
single: “Break Up”, "Make Up Your Mind".
- Gianni Riso: single “Disco Shy”, Goody Music, 1980.
- Jumpers, The: single “Coke And Roll”, Goody Music, 1980.
- M Like Moon: single “Sunlight”, Flarenasch/Ariola, 1984 / Renaissance International 1985.
- Macho: LP/CD I’m A Man, Goody Music/Prelude, 1978
singles: “I’m A Man”, “Hear Me Calling”.
- Macho (II): LP/CD Roll, Goody Music, 1980
singles: “Roll”, “Mothers Love”, "Not Tonight".
- Macho III: single “Kalimba De Luna”, Flarenasch/Five, 1984.
- Midnight Gang: LP Love Is Magic, Goody Music, 1979
singles: “Love Is Magic”, “Midnight Game”.
- Midnight Gang: single "Holliwood City", Speed, 1984.
- Nobel: single “Turn On Your Radio”, Renaissance International, 1985.
- Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Fire Night Dance, Goody Music/Prelude, 1979
singles: “Walking On Music”, “Fire Night Dance”, “Devil’s Run”, “Fly With The Wind”.
- Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Welcome Back, Goody Music, 1980
singles: “Is It It”, “Counting On Love (One-Two-Three)”, “The Louder”, “Mighty Fine”.
- Peter Jacques Band: LP/CD Dancing In The Street, Renaissance International/Polydor, 1985
singles: “Going Dancin’ Down The Street”, “Mexico”, “Drive Me Crazy”, "This Night".
- Peter Jacques Band: CD The Very Best Of Peter Jacques Band, Fonte, 2006.
- Peter Jacques Band: CD Greatest Hits & Essential Tracks, Fonte, 2009.
- Persuader: single "So Decide", Renaissance International, 1985.
- Revanche: LP/CD Music Man, Goody Music/Atlantic, 1979
singles: “Music Man”, “Revenge”, “You Get High In N.Y.C.”, “1979 It’s Dancing Time”.
- Ritchie Family, The: LP/CD I’ll Do My Best, RCA, 1982
singles: "I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby)", “Walk With Me”, “Alright On The Night”.
- Rudy: LP/CD Just Take My Body, Goody Music/Polydor, 1979
singles: “White Room”, “Just Take My Body”, “Thank You Baby”.
- Silence: LP Goodtime Baby, Memory, 1982
singles: “Midnight Visitors”, “No Way”.
- Silence 2: LP The Beast In Me, Flarenasch/Five, 1984
single: "The Beast In Me".
- Tato: single "Crazy Boy", Renaissance International, 1985.
- Zinc: LP/CD Street Level, Memory/Jive, 1982
singles: “Street Level”, “Punkulation”, "Amazon", "I'll Never Stop".
- Zinc: single “I’m Livin' A Life Of Love”, Jive, 1983.
References
- www.jacquespetrus.com Jacques Fred Petrus biography
- http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry
External links
- www.jacquespetrus.com Jacques Fred Petrus biography
- http://jacquesfredpetrusmauromalavasi.blogspot.com/2009/10/jacques-fred-petrus-mauro-malavasi_17.html Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi: The perfect Italian Disco chemistry
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/GOODY-MUSIC-LITTLE-MACHO-MUSIC/125608788463 Goody Music & Little Macho Music
- http://www.freestylegrooves.com/docs/roots10.htm Jacques Fred Petrus biography