History Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band

Charles Wright (born in 1940 in Clarksdale, Mississippi) & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is a pioneering funk band. Active since the 1960s and most popular during the 1970s, the band had a number of Top 20 R&B hits, such as "Do Your Thing" (#11 Pop, #12 R&B), "Till You Get Enough" (#12 R&B, #67 Pop), and "Love Land" (R&B #23, Pop #16), but are best known for their biggest hit, 1970's "Express Yourself" (#3 R&B, #12 Pop), released on Warner Bros. Records and was later sampled in the N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton album in 1988.

Band members

* Charles Wright - Guitars, Piano

* Al McKay - Guitar

* Benorce Blackmon - Guitar (replaced Al McKay)

* Gabe Flemings - Piano, Trumpet

* Melvin Dunlap - Bass

* James Gadson - Drums

* Big John Rayford - Saxophone

* Bill Cannon - Saxophone

* Ray Jackson - Trombone

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