Fatback Band
There are many, including genuine authorities such as Afrika Bambaataa, who state that King Tim III (Personality Jock) by Fatback, released on Spring Records in 1979, is the first true hip hop record. King Tim was actually the b-side to You're My Candy Sweet, before radio programmers and listeners made it the more popular selection. The rap was delivered by the band's master of ceremonies/warm up act, the eponymous King Tim III. After appearing solo on Charley Says! (Roller Boogie Baby), backed by the Fatback Band, he would disappear into the mists of hip hop mythology. Archivists may like to note that King Tim III is included on the FATBACK XII album. Elsewhere, Fatback remained a predominantly R&B-based funk band. They were originally formed by Johnny King (guitar), Earl Shelton (saxophone), George Williams (trumpet), George Adam (flute), Johnny Flippin (bass) and Bill Curtis (drums). Later members included Saunders McCrae (keyboards) and Richard Cromwell (trombone).