Turn the Beat Around

“Turn the Beat Around” was written by Gerald Jackson and Peter Jackson and appears as the first song on side one of Vicki Sue Robinson’s debut studio album, Never Gonna Let You Go. Released as a single in February 1976, it went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts. Laura Branigan would release the song as a single from her self-titled sixth studio album in 1990. Gloria Estefan recorded the song for the soundtrack to the film The Specialist in 1994 and included it on her fourth studio album, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. Released as a single in September 1994, it went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts. It has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Personnel on the Vicki Sue Robinson record were: Vicki Sue Robinson (lead, backing vocals), Ben Lanzarone (keyboards), Bob Rose, Dick Frank (guitar), Stuart Woods (bass), Jimmy Young, Roy Markowitz (drums), Curis Martin, Ray Armando (congas), George Devens (percussion), Tony Studd, Wayne Andre, Tom Malone (trombone), Burt Collins, Joe Shepley (trumpet), Art Kaplan (baritone sax, flute), George Young (tenor sax, flute), and Warren Schatz (string arrangements).

The album, Never Gonna Let You Go, was recorded between 1975-76 at RCA Studios in New York City and produced by Warren Schatz. Released in April 1976, it went to #45 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. Three singles were released from the LP.

Vicki Sue Robinson was an American singer and actress known for her disco recordings. She released four albums and 20 singles. She appeared in four motion pictures and six Broadway theater productions. Robinson died in April 2000 in Wilton, CT, at the age of 45.