ESG (the initials stand for Emerald, Sapphire, and Gold), formed in 1978 in the South Bronx. The founders were the Scroggins sisters, along with their friend Tito Libran. Renee Scroggins handled vocals, Valerie the drums, Deborah was on bass, and Marie took on vocals and the conga. Libran helped with congas and vocals. The lineup of predominantly women, and women of color, was (and still is) unusual in the music industry.
The group got a break when Ed Bahlman judged them on a talent show. They got another boost when they performed on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at Hurrah, where Factory Records’ Tony Wilson heard them. Three days after that, they were recording with Martin Hannett, and cut “You’re No Good” and “Moody.” Back in New York, Bahlman recorded them at Hurrah, and singer Robert Palmer called their effort one of the “freshest records” made in 1981.
ESG has had an enormous influence on music, and is one of the most heavily sampled bands in history. A review says:
“Saturday night . . . was Seattle's last chance to see ESG—NYC's most fun and stripped-down funk group over the last 40-plus years—perform live, and, according to an informal survey . . . everyone left the club elated.”
ESG will be in San Francisco at the Great American Music Hall on January 6, where organizers of concerts like this can use poster printing to create suitable advertising.