The Jets
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- This article is about the 1980s and later pop band. For the 1970s rock band from Illinois, see The Jets (rock band).
The Jets are a family group from Minneapolis, Minnesota who specialize in pop, R&B and dance music.
The original band consisted of the 8 oldest children of Maikeli "Mike" and Vaké Wolfgramm: Eddie, Elizabeth, Eugene, Haini, Kathi (b. 16 September 1969, Minneapolis), Leroy, Moana and Rudy. Mike and Vaké, who have 17 children total, are originally from the South Pacific island kingdom of Tonga. Contrary to popular belief, they are not Hispanic or African-American.
'The Jets' under this original lineup had a number of Hot 100 hits, including 5 that hit the Top 10: "Crush On You", "You Got It All", "Cross My Broken Heart", "Rocket 2 U", and "Make It Real," and "Sendin' All My Love," which only went to #88 on the Hot 100, hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. "You Got It All" and "Make It Real," both ballads featuring lead vocals by 'Elizabeth Wolfgramm,' were both #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart
In 1988, 'Eugene' (under the alias.'Gene Hunt') along with 'Joe Pasquale' formed the duo 'Boys Club' ("I Remember Holding You," Hot 100 #8). 'Eugene' later reunited for the album "The Best of The Jets" (1990) but he and other siblings ('Eddie,' 'Elizabeth,' 'Kathi') eventually left the band in succession. The band also performed the theme song for the 1989 Disney cartoon series "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers," and were featured in the soundtrack for "Beverly Hills Cop 2"(1987) ("Cross My Broken Heart") and "The Karate Kid Part III"("Under Any Moon").
Throughout the 1990s, the band picked up other members of the family, and turned more towards Christian music, increasing their following among fellow Mormons. The current lineup includes founding members 'Leroy' & 'Haini' -while 'Rudy' (manages & produces the group) plus 6 younger siblings 'Donnie,' 'EtiVise,' 'Maliana,' 'Mika,' 'Natalia,' & 'Tony,' plus cousins 'Ashton' and 'LeiPua Silito.'
The band performed at both the '1988 Summer Olympics' in 'Seoul' and the '2002 Winter Olympics' in 'Salt Lake City.' They also performed the 'The Star-Spangled Banner (national anthem)' at the seventh game of the '1987 World Series,' held in their hometown of Minneapolis.
Their 1986 hit "You Got It All" was written and composed by 'Rupert Holmes' famous for his hit "Escape (the Piña Colada song)." 'Holmes' also penned a few other songs for 'The Jets' but none were as successful as his first collaboration.
American pop sensation 'Britney Spears' has also covered the hit, "You Got It All", which appears on international editions of her 2000 hit album "Oops!...I Did It Again".
Contents |
[edit] Albums
- The Jets (1985) #19 US
- Christmas with The Jets (1986)
- Magic (1987) #35 US
- Hot Hits (1987) (Exclusive Kool-Aid Koolers Promotional Cassette)
- Believe (1989) #107 US
- The Best of The Jets (1990)
- Love People (1995)
- Love Will Lead The Way (1997)
- Then & Now (1998)
- The Millennium Collection (2001)
- All Their Best (2003)
- Versatility (2006)
[edit] Singles
- "Curiosity" (1985) #21 Dance
- "Crush On You" (1986) #3 US, #4 Dance
- "Private Number" (1986) #47 US
- "You Got It All" (1987) #3 US
- "Cross My Broken Heart" (1987) #7 US, #8 Dance
- "I Do You" (1987) #20 US
- "Rocket 2 U" (1988) #6 US, #3 Dance
- "Make It Real" (1988) #4 US
- "Sendin' All My Love" (1988) #88 US, #1 Dance
- "You Better Dance" (1989) #59 US, #28 Dance
- "The Same Love" (1989) #87 US
[edit] See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
[edit] External links
- The Jets Then and Now - biography
- [1] - biography
- [2] - new album The Jets "Versatility" (2006)
- [3] - additional biography, TRIVIA
- [4] - biography
Categories: American rhythm and blues musical groups | Christian musical groups | Family musical groups | Latter-day Saint musical groups | Minnesota musical groups | Rhythmic Top 40 acts | Rock music groups | Tongan Americans | American dance musicians | Dance musical groups | Musical groups with siblings
