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{{About|the American dance music trio|the unrelated 1970s British soul group|Sweet Sensation (band)}}
{{Short description|American girl group}}
{{About|the American freestyle music girl group|the unrelated 1970s British soul group|Sweet Sensation (band)}}


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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
|name = Sweet Sensation
| name = Sweet Sensation
| image = Sweet Sensation USA.jpg
|image =
| landscape = yes
⚫
| background = group_or_band
| caption = Sweet Sensation in 1990 {{break}} ({{abbr|L–R|Left to right}}): Sheila Vega, Betty "Dee" LeBron, and Margie Fernandez
⚫
| origin = [[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
⚫
| background = group_or_band
⚫
| instrument =
⚫
| origin = [[The Bronx]], [[New York City]]
⚫
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Dance music|dance]], [[Freestyle music|freestyle]], [[Adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]], [[Latin music (genre)|Latin]]
⚫
| instrument =
| years_active = 1986-93, 2005-present
⚫
| genre = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]|[[Dance music|dance]]|[[Freestyle music|freestyle]]}}
| label = [[Next Plateau Records]], [[Atco Records|Atco]]/[[Atlantic Records]]
| discography = [[#Discography|Sweet Sensation discography]]
| associated_acts = [[Boogie Boys|The Boogie Boys]]
| years_active = 1986–1993, 2007–2008; 2015–2021
| website = www.sweetsensation.com
| label = {{flatlist|
| Current_members = Betty "Dee" Lebron (1986-present)<br>Belle Ritter (1991-present)<br>Jeanette "Jenae" Colon (1991-present)
* [[Next Plateau Records|Next Plateau]]
* [[Atco Records|Atco]]
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]}}
| website =
| current_members =
| past_members = * Betty "Dee" LeBron
* Margie Fernandez
* Mari Fernandez
* Sheila Vega
}}
}}


'''Sweet Sensation''' is an American female [[Freestyle music|Freestyle]]-[[Dance music]] trio from [[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281206/sweet-sensation/biography|title=Sweet Sensation - Biography - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}</ref> The members are Betty LeBron, Margie Fernandez, Marie Fernandez and Sheila Vega(replaced Marie in 1989). It was formed in 1986 and released albums until 1992. All their albums/singles were featured on top billboard songs. "If Wishes Came True" was their biggest hit, it topped "Billboard Hot 100" list for a week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://musicrareobscure.blogspot.com/2008/04/sweet-sensation.html|title=Rare and Obscure Music: Sweet Sensation|last=Kyleigh|date=2008-04-10|website=Rare and Obscure Music|access-date=2018-07-07}}</ref>
'''Sweet Sensation''' was a [[Freestyle music|freestyle]]-[[dance music]] [[girl group]] from [[The Bronx]], [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281206/sweet-sensation/biography|title=Sweet Sensation - Biography - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}</ref> The group was originally composed of Betty "Dee" LeBron and sisters Margie and Mari Fernandez. Sheila Vega replaced Mari in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2019 |title=Sweet Sensation talks life + music + career with Bobby Simmons @ party1019.com |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T0TiDUc-VS4 |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The group was formed in 1986 and released albums until 1992. Their song "If Wishes Came True" is their biggest hit, topping the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] list for a week in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://musicrareobscure.blogspot.com/2008/04/sweet-sensation.html|title=Rare and Obscure Music: Sweet Sensation|last=Kyleigh|date=2008-04-10|website=Rare and Obscure Music|access-date=2018-07-07}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
⚫
Formed in 1985 after a suggestion by her friend, Margie Fernandez, led Betty Lebron to a meeting with David Sanchez, who was co-managing a group called Sly Fox with Cherrie Shepherd. One afternoon, David came by to meet Betty at Margie's house in Manhattan armed with a boombox. He recorded Betty singing a capella and took the cassette to Ms. Shepherd and a few weeks later, on March 15th, 1985, Margie and Betty found themselves at Intergalactic studios to meet Cherrie Shepherd. Coincidentally, the act of recording in the studio that day was a rap group called The Boogie Boys. One of the members of the group, Romeo J.D, would later become one of Sweet Sensation's main songwriters, penning several songs on their debut album, Take it While it's Hot.


=== 1985–1988: Formation and ''Take It While It's Hot'' ===
⚫
Romeo's first song after meeting Margie and Betty was a demo called Could it Be. The demo of the song was recorded in Romeo's home studio by Betty. It was re-recorded at Unique Recording in NYC with Ted Currier of Platinum Vibe Productions as producer. It was at this time a new chorus was added and the song was re-titled Hooked On You. Once the song was completed, unsure of what to do with a petite Latina teenager and it was decided that a girl group should be formed and Margie and her sister Mari were added to the group. Sweet Sensation was signed to a production deal with Platinum Vibe Productions and recording started on their first album with Betty Lebron on lead vocals. Using Hooked on You as an introduction, the trio was signed to [[Next Plateau Records]]. Hooked on You was released under the Next Plateau Label along with their second single, Victim of Love. In 1987, they were picked up by [[Atco Records|Atco]], and their debut album ''[[Take It While It's Hot (album)|Take It While It's Hot]]'' was released. The album peaked at #63 on the Billboard pop albums chart and spawned five singles: "Hooked on You" (#23), "Victim of Love (Goodbye Baby)," "Take It While It's Hot," "[[Never Let You Go (Sweet Sensation song)|Never Let You Go]]" (which reached #1 on the U.S. Dance chart), and "Sincerely Yours" (#14). <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281206/sweet-sensation/chart|title=Sweet Sensation - Chart history - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}</ref>
⚫
Sweet Sensation was originally formed in 1985. A suggestion by Margie Fernandez led Betty Lebron to meet with David Sanchez, who was co-managing a group called [[Sly Fox (band)|Sly Fox]] with Cherrie Shepherd. One afternoon, David came by to meet Betty at Margie's home in [[Manhattan]] with a [[boombox]]. He recorded Betty singing [[a capella]] and passed this recording on to Shepherd. A few weeks later, on March 15, 1985, Margie and Betty had a meeting at Intergalactic Studios with Shepherd. Coincidentally, the act recording in the studio that day was a rap group called [[The Boogie Boys]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2019 |title=Sweet Sensation talks life + music + career with Bobby Simmons @ party1019.com |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T0TiDUc-VS4 |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> One of the members of the group, Joseph "Romeo J.D." Malloy, would later become one of Sweet Sensation's main songwriters, penning several songs on their debut album, ''[[Take It While It's Hot]]''.


⚫
Romeo's first song after meeting Margie and Betty was a demo called "Could It Be", which was recorded in Romeo's home studio by Betty. It was re-recorded at Unique Recording in New York City with Ted Currier of Platinum Vibe Productions as producer. It was at this time that a new chorus was added, and the song was re-titled "Hooked on You." Once the song was finally completed, a girl group was formed. Margie and her sister Mari joined Betty in the group. Sweet Sensation was signed to a production deal with Platinum Vibe Productions, and recording started on their first album, with Betty Lebron on lead vocals. Using "Hooked on You" as an introduction, the trio was signed to [[Next Plateau Records]]. "Hooked on You" was released on the Next Plateau label, along with their second single, "Victim of Love (Goodbye Baby)." In 1987, they were picked up by [[Atco Records|Atco]], and their debut album, ''[[Take It While It's Hot]]'', was released. The album peaked at #63 on the Billboard pop albums chart and spawned five singles: "Hooked on You" (#23), "Victim of Love (Goodbye Baby)," "Take It While It's Hot," "[[Never Let You Go (Sweet Sensation song)|Never Let You Go]]" (which reached #1 on the U.S. Dance chart), and "Sincerely Yours" (#14).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281206/sweet-sensation/chart|title=Sweet Sensation - Chart history|website=www.billboard.com}}</ref>
In late 1988, Mari left the group and was replaced by Sheila Vega. The artwork of their debut album was altered to reflect the staff change.


=== 1988: Mari's departure, new member and ''Love Child'' ===
⚫
In 1990, their second album ''[[Love Child (Sweet Sensation album)|Love Child]]'' was released, with what would turn out to be their biggest hit, the ballad "[[If Wishes Came True]]", which reached Number One on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281206/sweet-sensation|title=Sweet Sensation - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}</ref>
In late 1988, Mari left the group and was replaced by Sheila Vega. The artwork of their debut album, a photograph of the trio, was updated to reflect this change. The original album cover featured Betty, Margie, and Mari, but in the 1989 re-pressing of their album, new member Sheila Vega replaced Mari on the cover. The vocals on the album weren't re-recorded after the personnel change, however.<ref name=":0" />


⚫
In 1990, their second album, ''[[Love Child (Sweet Sensation album)|Love Child]]'', was released, containing what would turn out to be their biggest hit, the ballad "[[If Wishes Came True]]," which reached Number One on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281206/sweet-sensation|title=Sweet Sensation - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}</ref>
In 1991, a remix album was released "Time to Jam (The Remix Album)", which turned out to be their last. That year, Margie and Sheila left the group and were replaced by three new members—Belle, Maya, and Jenae, making them a quartet. They performed as Sweet Sensation for the next few years until Betty LeBron decided on a solo career.


=== 1991–1993: Sheila and Margie's departures, new members and disbandment ===
In 2004, Sweet Sensation ranked #391 on the ''[http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/toppop8.htm Top 500 Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years]''.
In 1991, a remix album was released, ''Time to Jam [The Remix Album]'', which turned out to be their last album. That year, Margie and Sheila left the group. Auditions were done to find new members to complete the gigs that the previous members and Betty had been booked for, Belle Ritter, Jeanette "Jenae" Colón, and a girl named Mya were chosen, making them a quartet. They continued performing together until 1993, when Betty LeBron embarked on a solo career, and the group disbanded.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2019 |title=Sweet Sensation talks life + music + career with Bobby Simmons @ party1019.com |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T0TiDUc-VS4 |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>


=== 2005–2021: Reunions, lineup changes and lawsuits ===
In 2005, the dance single "My Body Tu Cuerpo," credited as [[Dynamix (band)|Dynamix]] Presents Sweet Sensation, was released on Kult Records (with Betty LeBron on lead vocals, billed as Betty Dee) and produced by Eddie Cumana and Beppe Savoni of [[Dynamix (band)|Dynamix]].
In 2004, Sweet Sensation was ranked #391 in the Rock on the Net web site's Top 500 Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rock On The Net: The ARC Archive: Top Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years: 351-400 | website=Rock on the net | url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/toppop8.htm | access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref> In 2005, the dance single "My Body Tu Cuerpo," credited as [[Dynamix (band)|Dynamix]] Presents Sweet Sensation, was released on Kult Records featuring Betty LeBron on lead vocals (billed as Betty Dee), and produced by Eddie Cumana and Beppe Savoni of [[Dynamix (band)|Dynamix]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2005 |title=My Body Tu Cuerpo (Dynamix NYC Radio edit) |url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/my-body-tu-cuerpo-dynamix-nyc-radio-edit/75670619?i=75670525 |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref>
For a brief period, the previous members, Margie, Sheila, and Mari reunited to form their own version of Sweet Sensation without lead singer Betty Lebron after sisters Margie and Mari applied and then obtained the trademark rights to the name, Sweet Sensation. This led to a case in the trial and appeals board of the US Trademark Patent Office that later canceled the original Trademark obtained by the Fernandez sisters and gave the rights to Ms. Lebron and Ms.Shepherd after evidence showed that first use and current use rights belonged to Ms. Lebron. The group consisting of Margie, Mari and Sheila disbanded after performing only a few shows.
For a brief period, the previous members, Margie, Sheila, and Mari reunited to form their own version of Sweet Sensation without lead singer Betty Lebron after sisters Margie and Mari applied for—and then obtained—the trademark rights to the name Sweet Sensation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 22, 2021 |title=DJ Kazzeo presents TATK EP 058 (Mari D Of Sweet Sensation - April 18, 2019) |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2HoOVZcgec0 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=Kazzeo}}</ref> This led to a case before the trial and appeals board of the US Trademark Patent Office that later canceled the original trademark obtained by the Fernandez sisters, and gave the rights to Lebron and Shepherd after evidence showed that first use and current use rights belonged to Lebron.{{cn|date=November 2018}} The group consisting of Margie, Mari, and Sheila disbanded after performing only a few shows. Today, Sweet Sensation is composed of Betty, Belle, and Jenae, and is currently{{when|date=April 2024}} performing throughout the United States. The Sweet Sensation catalog is currently owned by Atco/Atlantic Records.{{cn|date=November 2018}}
Today, Sweet Sensation is composed of Betty, Belle, and Jenae and are currently performing throughout the West Coast, Midwest, Northeast, and Florida. The Sweet Sensation catalog is currently owned by Atco/Atlantic Records.


==Discography==
== Members ==


=== Former members ===

* Betty "Dee" LeBron <small>(1985–1993, 2007–2008, 2018–2021)</small>
* Margie Fernandez <small>(1985–1991, 2015–2017)</small>
* Mari Fernandez <small>(1985–1988, 2015–2017)</small>
* Sheila Vega <small>(1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2015–2017)</small>

=== Touring members ===

* Mya <small>(1991)</small>
* Belle Ritter <small>(1991–1993, 2018–2021)</small>
* Jeanette "Jenae" Colón <small>(1991–1993, 2007–2008, 2018–2021)</small>

==Discography==
===Albums===
===Albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
* 1988 ''[[Take It While It's Hot]]'' ([[Atco Records|Atco]]/Atlantic Records) U.S. #63
|+ List of albums, with selected chart positions
⚫
* 1990 ''[[Love Child (Sweet Sensation album)|Love Child]]'' (Atco/Atlantic Records) U.S. #78
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title
⚫
* 1991 ''Time to Jam (The Remix Album)'' (Atco/Atlantic Records)
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart<br />positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%" | [[Billboard 200|US]]<br />
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="aus2">{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/l5HWkyg| title=Sweet Sensation ARIA chart history, received from ARIA in May 2024|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=July 8, 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Take It While It's Hot]]''
|
* Released: 1988
* Label: Atco/Atlantic Records
| 63 || —
|-
⚫
! scope="row" | ''[[Love Child (Sweet Sensation album)|Love Child]]''
|
* Released: 1990
* Label: Atco/Atlantic Records
| 78 || 142
|-
⚫
! scope="row" | ''Time to Jam (The Remix Album)''
|
* Released: 1991
* Label: Atco/Atlantic Records
| || —
|}


===Singles===
===Singles===
Line 59: Line 107:
!width="60"|<small>[[Hot Dance Club Play|Hot Dance/Club Play]]</small>
!width="60"|<small>[[Hot Dance Club Play|Hot Dance/Club Play]]</small>
!width="60"|<small>[[Hot Dance Singles Sales]]</small>
!width="60"|<small>[[Hot Dance Singles Sales]]</small>
!width="60"|<small>[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]</small><br /><ref name="aus22">{{cite web |title=Sweet Sensation ARIA chart history, received from ARIA in May 2024 |url=https://imgur.com/a/l5HWkyg |access-date=July 8, 2024 |publisher=ARIA |via=Imgur.com}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
!width="60"|<small>[[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]]</small>
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="1"|1986
|align="center"|1986
|align="left"|"Hooked on You"
|align="left"|"Hooked on You"
|align="center"|64
|align="center"|64
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center" rowspan="6"|''Take It While It's Hot''
|align="center" rowspan="6"|''Take It While It's Hot''
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="1"|1987
|align="center"|1987
|align="left"|"Victim of Love"
|align="left"|"Victim of Love"
|align="center"| -
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|44
|align="center"|44
|align="center"| -
|align="center"|—
|align="center"| -
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |1988
| rowspan="2" |1988
Line 81: Line 129:
|align="center"|14
|align="center"|14
|align="center"|7
|align="center"|7
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
|align="left"|"[[Never Let You Go (Sweet Sensation song)|Never Let You Go]]"
|align="left"|"[[Never Let You Go (Sweet Sensation song)|Never Let You Go]]"
Line 87: Line 135:
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2"|1989
|align="center" rowspan="2"|1989
Line 93: Line 141:
|align="center"|14
|align="center"|14
|align="center"|30
|align="center"|30
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
|align="left"|"Hooked on You" (Remix)
|align="left"|"Hooked on You" (Remix)
|align="center"|23
|align="center"|23
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="3"|1990
|align="center" rowspan="3"|1990
Line 107: Line 155:
|align="center"|15
|align="center"|15
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
| rowspan="5" align="center" |''Love Child''
| rowspan="5" align="center" |''Love Child''
|-
|-
|align="left"|"[[If Wishes Came True]]"
|align="left"|"[[If Wishes Came True]]"
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|8
|align="center"|68
|-
|-
|align="left"|"Each and Every Time"
|align="left"|"Each and Every Time"
|align="center"|59
|align="center"|59
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
|1991
|1991
|"One Good Man"
|"One Good Man"
|align="center"|72
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|-
|-
| rowspan="1" align="center" |1992
| align="center" |1992
| align="left" |"I Surrender" (Berrios Remix)
| align="left" |"I Surrender" (Berrios Remix)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" |—
| align="center" | -
| align="center" |—
| align="center" | -
| align="center" |—
| align="center" | -
| align="center" |—
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="1"|2005
|align="center"|2005
|align="left"|"My Body Tu Cuerpo"
|align="left"|"My Body, Tu Cuerpo"
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|—
|align="center" rowspan="1"|Non-album single
|align="center"|Non-album single
|}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Wikipedia books|Sweet Sensation}}
*[[List of number-one hits (United States)]]
*[[List of number-one hits (United States)]]
*[[List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)]]
*[[List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)]]
Line 158: Line 205:


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category: American rhythm and blues musical groups]]
[[Category:American dance girl groups]]
⚫
[[Category: American freestyle girl groups]]
[[Category: Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category: Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category: Musical groups disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category: Musical groups disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category: Musical groups reestablished in 2005]]
[[Category: Musical groups reestablished in 2005]]
[[Category: Musical groups disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category: Musical groups disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category: American dance music groups]]
[[Category:American dance music groups]]
⚫
[[Category:American pop girl groups]]
[[Category: American freestyle music groups]]
[[Category: American freestyle music groups]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Atco Records artists]]
[[Category:Atco Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups from the Bronx]]

Latest revision as of 08:29, 14 December 2024

This article is about the American freestyle music girl group. For the unrelated 1970s British soul group, see Sweet Sensation (band).
Sweet Sensation
Sweet Sensation in 1990 (L–R): Sheila Vega, Betty "Dee" LeBron, and Margie Fernandez
Sweet Sensation in 1990
(L–R): Sheila Vega, Betty "Dee" LeBron, and Margie Fernandez
Background information
OriginThe Bronx, New York City
Genres
DiscographySweet Sensation discography
Years active1986–1993, 2007–2008; 2015–2021
Labels
Past members
  • Betty "Dee" LeBron
  • Margie Fernandez
  • Mari Fernandez
  • Sheila Vega

Sweet Sensation was a freestyle-dance music girl group from The Bronx, New York City.[1] The group was originally composed of Betty "Dee" LeBron and sisters Margie and Mari Fernandez. Sheila Vega replaced Mari in 1988.[2] The group was formed in 1986 and released albums until 1992. Their song "If Wishes Came True" is their biggest hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 list for a week in 1990.[3]

History

[edit]

1985–1988: Formation and Take It While It's Hot

[edit]

Sweet Sensation was originally formed in 1985. A suggestion by Margie Fernandez led Betty Lebron to meet with David Sanchez, who was co-managing a group called Sly Fox with Cherrie Shepherd. One afternoon, David came by to meet Betty at Margie's home in Manhattan with a boombox. He recorded Betty singing a capella and passed this recording on to Shepherd. A few weeks later, on March 15, 1985, Margie and Betty had a meeting at Intergalactic Studios with Shepherd. Coincidentally, the act recording in the studio that day was a rap group called The Boogie Boys.[4] One of the members of the group, Joseph "Romeo J.D." Malloy, would later become one of Sweet Sensation's main songwriters, penning several songs on their debut album, Take It While It's Hot.

Romeo's first song after meeting Margie and Betty was a demo called "Could It Be", which was recorded in Romeo's home studio by Betty. It was re-recorded at Unique Recording in New York City with Ted Currier of Platinum Vibe Productions as producer. It was at this time that a new chorus was added, and the song was re-titled "Hooked on You." Once the song was finally completed, a girl group was formed. Margie and her sister Mari joined Betty in the group. Sweet Sensation was signed to a production deal with Platinum Vibe Productions, and recording started on their first album, with Betty Lebron on lead vocals. Using "Hooked on You" as an introduction, the trio was signed to Next Plateau Records. "Hooked on You" was released on the Next Plateau label, along with their second single, "Victim of Love (Goodbye Baby)." In 1987, they were picked up by Atco, and their debut album, Take It While It's Hot, was released. The album peaked at #63 on the Billboard pop albums chart and spawned five singles: "Hooked on You" (#23), "Victim of Love (Goodbye Baby)," "Take It While It's Hot," "Never Let You Go" (which reached #1 on the U.S. Dance chart), and "Sincerely Yours" (#14).[5]

1988: Mari's departure, new member and Love Child

[edit]

In late 1988, Mari left the group and was replaced by Sheila Vega. The artwork of their debut album, a photograph of the trio, was updated to reflect this change. The original album cover featured Betty, Margie, and Mari, but in the 1989 re-pressing of their album, new member Sheila Vega replaced Mari on the cover. The vocals on the album weren't re-recorded after the personnel change, however.[4]

In 1990, their second album, Love Child, was released, containing what would turn out to be their biggest hit, the ballad "If Wishes Came True," which reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100.[6]

1991–1993: Sheila and Margie's departures, new members and disbandment

[edit]

In 1991, a remix album was released, Time to Jam [The Remix Album], which turned out to be their last album. That year, Margie and Sheila left the group. Auditions were done to find new members to complete the gigs that the previous members and Betty had been booked for, Belle Ritter, Jeanette "Jenae" Colón, and a girl named Mya were chosen, making them a quartet. They continued performing together until 1993, when Betty LeBron embarked on a solo career, and the group disbanded.[7]

2005–2021: Reunions, lineup changes and lawsuits

[edit]

In 2004, Sweet Sensation was ranked #391 in the Rock on the Net web site's Top 500 Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years.[8] In 2005, the dance single "My Body Tu Cuerpo," credited as Dynamix Presents Sweet Sensation, was released on Kult Records featuring Betty LeBron on lead vocals (billed as Betty Dee), and produced by Eddie Cumana and Beppe Savoni of Dynamix.[9]

For a brief period, the previous members, Margie, Sheila, and Mari reunited to form their own version of Sweet Sensation without lead singer Betty Lebron after sisters Margie and Mari applied for—and then obtained—the trademark rights to the name Sweet Sensation.[10] This led to a case before the trial and appeals board of the US Trademark Patent Office that later canceled the original trademark obtained by the Fernandez sisters, and gave the rights to Lebron and Shepherd after evidence showed that first use and current use rights belonged to Lebron.[citation needed] The group consisting of Margie, Mari, and Sheila disbanded after performing only a few shows. Today, Sweet Sensation is composed of Betty, Belle, and Jenae, and is currently[when?] performing throughout the United States. The Sweet Sensation catalog is currently owned by Atco/Atlantic Records.[citation needed]

Members

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Former members

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  • Betty "Dee" LeBron (1985–1993, 2007–2008, 2018–2021)
  • Margie Fernandez (1985–1991, 2015–2017)
  • Mari Fernandez (1985–1988, 2015–2017)
  • Sheila Vega (1988–1991, 2007–2008, 2015–2017)

Touring members

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  • Mya (1991)
  • Belle Ritter (1991–1993, 2018–2021)
  • Jeanette "Jenae" Colón (1991–1993, 2007–2008, 2018–2021)

Discography

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Albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
US
 AUS
[11]
Take It While It's Hot
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Atco/Atlantic Records
 63 —
Love Child
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: Atco/Atlantic Records
 78 142
Time to Jam (The Remix Album)
  • Released: 1991
  • Label: Atco/Atlantic Records
 —

Singles

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Year Single Peak positions Albums
US Hot Dance/Club Play Hot Dance Singles Sales AUS
[12]
1986 "Hooked on You" 64 — — — Take It While It's Hot
1987 "Victim of Love" — 44 — —
1988 "Take It While It's Hot" 57 14 7 —
"Never Let You Go" 58 1 1 —
1989 "Sincerely Yours" (featuring Romeo J.D.) 14 30 — —
"Hooked on You" (Remix) 23 — — —
1990 "Love Child" 13 15 6 — Love Child
"If Wishes Came True" 1 — — 68
"Each and Every Time" 59 — — —
1991 "One Good Man" — — — —
1992 "I Surrender" (Berrios Remix) — — — —
2005 "My Body, Tu Cuerpo" — — — — Non-album single

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Sweet Sensation - Biography - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  2. ^ "Sweet Sensation talks life + music + career with Bobby Simmons @ party1019.com". YouTube. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  3. ^ Kyleigh (2008-04-10). "Rare and Obscure Music: Sweet Sensation". Rare and Obscure Music. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  4. ^ a b "Sweet Sensation talks life + music + career with Bobby Simmons @ party1019.com". YouTube. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Sweet Sensation - Chart history". www.billboard.com.
  6. ^ "Sweet Sensation - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  7. ^ "Sweet Sensation talks life + music + career with Bobby Simmons @ party1019.com". YouTube. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Rock On The Net: The ARC Archive: Top Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years: 351-400". Rock on the net. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  9. ^ "My Body Tu Cuerpo (Dynamix NYC Radio edit)". Apple Music. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  10. ^ "DJ Kazzeo presents TATK EP 058 (Mari D Of Sweet Sensation - April 18, 2019)". YouTube. Kazzeo. February 22, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Sweet Sensation ARIA chart history, received from ARIA in May 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  12. ^ "Sweet Sensation ARIA chart history, received from ARIA in May 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
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