Kevin Goins

Kevin Goins, born in Plainfield, New Jersey (a.k.a P-FUNK) on July 26th. His god-fearing parents Bobby and Jesse Mae Goins raised Kevin with a strong religious background. Kevin starting singing at the age of three with his siblings, Mary, Tyrone, Deborah and Glenn. These singing adventures would include outdoor Christmas caroling, church choirs and school affairs. Kevin was surrounded by singing and instrument playing his entire life. Kevin’s grandma started the talent with her guitar playing which dwindled down to Kev’s dad Bobby Goins, his brother the legendary Glenn Goins and of course to Kevin. His sister Deborah can pluck a tune or two herself. Kevin’s mom and dad are responsible for the gift of his distinctive voice. Family and friends would always flock to the Goins home on family occasions knowing they’d be singing, guitar picking and washboard playing (kevin’s mom).Kevin went out on his first tour with a gospel group by the name of “Sons of Emmanuel”. The group would do mini tours during the weekends through the small and large churches of the south. While Kevin was still too young to be by the side of his brother, Glenn was out touring with Bobby Womack, Johnny Taylor and later on Parliament Funkadelics, just to name a few. In growing up Kevin was a co-founder of the teenage bands, Lemon Gin and Eclipse , 14 and 15 year olds wood shedding in the Plainfield, New Jersey basements.Glenn, occasionally coming off the road, discovered how well Kevin and his friends, Eugene “Moochie” Jackson, and Jeff Adams had developed their skills in music, and song. With Glenn as their mentor and musical guide, the group “Quazar” was formed. Glenn recruited a few more members for Quazar, Gregg Fitz, Richard “Shiadi” Banks, Peachena, Darryl “Major D” Dixon, Monica Peters, Darryl de Lomberto and Harvey Banks, all having gospel backgrounds. Glenn started coaching the group for showcases in New York, Montreal, Canada and New Jersey . In their showcases they attracted a great deal of record company attention for their brash mixture of gospel, funk and rock and roll. Lured by a demonstration tape, representative from Arista caught the group live, and within a week they were signed to the label. Clive Davis thought of the group as a powerful attraction and a force to be dealt with. They were a very young band and didn’t have much professional musical experience behind them, but all had been playing for years. The music of Quazar got their music from God, form the natural key of that they lived in.Just prior to the release of Quazar, the group was dealt a severe blow with the loss of producer Glen Goins, who died in July 1978 of complications stemming from an earlier bout with Hodgkins Disease. Not only did Kevin lose his producer but he lost his brother, who in essence was his hero. Through great mourning Quazar struggled to keep the group going but the lost was too great. There was a spell of silence and later the group grew dispersed. Everyone to go there separate ways exploring there unique talents in other ventures. In the meantime Kevin did a few gigs and studio work. He did an album with a group by the name of Space Cadets, led by Nairobi Sailcat.After a few years Kevin put a group together by the name of “Sweat”. This group consisted of yet, more of Plainfield talent and Kevin’s family. The group would practice day and night in the basements of Plainfield . They did a few gigs and showcases in the tri-city area of New York and showcased for Atlantic records. Just before an agreement was made, Kevin made the decision to join a group from California by the name of General Cane. Mitch McDowell leader of General Cane became very fond of Kevin and they began to do a lot of work together. Kevin and his then fiancée, Gloria Goins , moved to California to pursue his career with the group. Kevin remained in the group for about 5 years signing to Capitol Records and Motown. In the peak of General Cane ’s career, their leader was struck down and shot to death in the office of his new Bail Bondsmen business. Yet another great lost in the music world and in Kevin’s world.Upon returning home Kevin took a sabbatical for a few years, playing in local churches and working with his upcoming and talented nephews who later became known to the music world as “FAMLEE”.Through a mutual friend and now manager, Barbara Thomas-Johnson , Kevin was introduced to Alex and offered an opportunity to come to the UK to put together some great forces and talents with Alex Campbell to create a innovative version of Funk, Gospel and Rock and Roll. Look out everybody there’s a new thing coming your way !