NU SHOOZ

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In 1984, Valerie and husband, John Smith, recorded a self-produced five-song EP as the group Nu Shooz. Listener reaction to their funky dance track called “I Can’t Wait,” was strong and immediate - the kind of response known in radio jargon as “instant phones.” Airplay spread and the tune made its way to Europe, where a Dutch engineer created a remix that came back to the US and caught fire in New York dance clubs. “I Can’t Wait” reached #3 on the pop charts, #1 on the Urban charts, #1 on the Dance charts, and hit the the top 10 in Europe and Britain in 1986. Nu Shooz went on to record several other hit singles, and after selling more than a million records world wide, was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 1987.
June ‘79 John Smith founds NU SHOOZ in Portland, Oregon.
May ‘83 Percussionist Valerie Day becomes lead vocalist.
Summer ‘84 NU SHOOZ records “I Can’t Wait” with Fritz Richmond (Jim Kweskin Jug Band) as engineer. Smith and band manager Rick Waritz co-produce.
April ‘85 “I Can’t Wait” breaks on Portland’s #1 Top-40 station, KKRZ FM (Z-100), and quickly becomes a regional Top 10 hit.
Fall ‘85 Warner Bros. Records extends a demo deal to NU SHOOZ, but passes on the band soon afterward, stating “We’ve already got Madonna.”
Winter ‘85 Dutch producer Pieder “Hithouse” Slaghuis discovers “I Can’t Wait” on Hot Trax. His re-mix on Dutch label Injection Records becomes a hot-selling import in the United States and tops dance charts around the world.
January ‘86 Atlantic Records signs NU SHOOZ. Recording sessions begin at Atlantic Studios in New York and the Sunset Sound Factory in Los Angeles.
March ‘86 The band’s first album, Poolside, is completed after just six weeks. Fusion legend Jeff Lorber co-produces with Smith and Waritz.
Summer ‘86 NU SHOOZ tours 70 U.S. cities in 73 days.
September ‘86 “I Can’t Wait” reaches #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
October ‘86 NU SHOOZ earns a Gold Album with Poolside.
November ‘86 Shep Pettibone’s (George Michael, Janet Jackson) re-mix of follow-up single “Point of No Return” reaches #28 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Winter ‘86 The band is nominated for a “Best New Artist” Grammy Award (Bruce Hornsby and the Range later win the award).
Summer ‘87 Producer David Z. Rivkin (Prince) signs on for follow-up album, Told U So. The band later re-records the album with Lorber.
Spring ‘88 The album’s first single, “Should I Say Yes,” reaches #41 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Summer ‘88 Atlantic Records calls for a third album, followed by numerous A&R personnel changes and the recording of more than sixty demo tracks.
September ‘92 The album Eat & Run is completed, but never released. NU SHOOZ calls it a wrap and disbands to focus on new projects.