The Hues Corporation - Our Story, Our Time

The Hues Corporation, a pop and soul trio, began in 1969, under the leadership of its founder, Wally Holmes in Santa Monica, California. The original name, “Children of Howard Hughes” – a pun on famous millionaire Howard Hughes – ran into some legal roadblocks when it came to incorporation. Since he could not legally use the millionaire’s full name, he came up with, “The Hues Corporation.”

Under contract with RCA Records by 1972, The Hues Corporation also appears as the awesomely funky soul group performing in a nightclub scene, in the groovy horror Blaxploitation movie, “Blacula.”

In 1973, their debut single “Freedom for the Stallion” hit #63 on the Billboard charts.

In 1974, the band scored a massive smash success with “Rock the Boat”; the infectiously bubbly and upbeat tune hit #1 on the Billboard charts, sold a million copies, and remains one of the first major hit disco songs from the 70s. “Rock the Boat” is the band’s lasting legacy. The exquisite pop song is incredibly hooky and has harmonies that went on for days. It lead to a new, danceable sound that became a forerunner to the disco beats that would arise soon after.

“Rock the Boat” is found on several movie soundtracks, “Roll Bounce,” “Man on the Moon,” “Lawn Dogs,” “The Devil’s Own,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The Spirit of 76,” and “The Martian.”

The song is also in M&M commercials plus episodes of the television shows; The Sopranos, The West Wing, Ed, and The Simpsons.

The follow-up songs did well on the charts as well: “Rockin Soul,” “Love Corporation” and “I Caught Your Act.”

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