Shock-After Shock

n 1981, after the release of their breakout single, “Let’s Get Crackin”, Rolling Stone Magazine picked Shock as one of the top ten new artists of the decade. With comparisons to P-Funk, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Cameo, the expectations were high.

Although the band did follow up with subsequent hits “Electrophonic Funk” (1982) and “Waiting On Your Love” (1983), a constellation of factors eventually brought this first chapter of Shock to a close. Shortly thereafter, band leader/ keyboardist, Roger Sause, producer guitarist, Marlon McClain, and bassist, Joe Plass, began writing, recording, and touring with smooth jazz star Kenny G. Then, in 1989 Sause and McClain hooked up again to produce a more pop-oriented Shock album. Even though the single “Talk About Love” got a lot of airplay (particularly in Europe and Australia, where it hit #1 on many dance charts), the momentum wasn’t enough to keep things rolling and Shock fell off the radar. <p>

Fast forward to 2007 when Shock was nominated on the 1st ballot for induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and Marlon McClain was to be inducted for a lifetime achievement award.