In 1988, the rock scene was dominated by the likes of late-stage Van Halen, early Guns N’ Roses, and the prime of Bon Jovi’s catalog. 

Then out of nowhere, but seemingly everywhere, came Living Colour. They were bold and brash, and unlike all their contemporary rock legends, they were Black. 

Their crunching guitars and driving rhythms delivered their lyrics’ message to a suburban Midwestern audience that rarely heard music from people of color. Their massive worldwide hit “Cult of Personality” shook up expectations and opened the eyes of the youth in the typical rock audience. I should know: I was one of them.

Living Colour have not been prolific, but they produced a solid catalog of quality music to a devoted fan base before and after their late ’90s five-year hiatus. 

They bring their old-school funk-metal vibe along with an eclectic array of influences to Sweetwater Performance Pavilion on Thursday, Aug. 15, with The Why Store.

Not your average musicians

The New York City-based group’s breakthrough was launched by heavy airplay of the “Cult of Personality” video, featuring lead singer Corey Glover’s intense and animated delivery paired with lead guitarist Vernon Reid’s wildly energetic shredding. They brought a whole different vibe to rock music, holding down the funky side of the genre on the East Coast the same way the Red Hot Chili Peppers were ascending in the West.

Glover and Reid, along with drummer Will Calhoun, have held their positions throughout. 

Their backgrounds foreshadow their musical success: Glover was beginning a career as an actor, having just appeared in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning film Platoon, when Reid overheard him singing “Happy Birthday” at a party. He knew he was hearing something special and recruited Glover into the band he was forming.

Calhoun isn’t your average drummer. How many drummers do you know with a degree in music production and engineering from the prestigious Berklee College of Music? He mixes jazz, funk, and rock rhythms to drive the band’s distinctive style. He’s also been involved with side projects as varied as Finnish symphonic metal, blues with BB King, and backing Public Enemy. 

Reid is the undisputed driving force behind Living Colour. Born in London, he grew up in Brooklyn and quickly made an impression as a talented guitarist who could play almost anything. He formed his first band in 1984, toying with a variety of lineups and styles and playing regular gigs at the legendary CBGB.

He auditioned to play on the Mick Jagger solo album Primitive Cool but didn’t get the job. However, he came away with something maybe more valuable: the interest of a rock legend. 

Jagger caught a Living Colour show at CBGB, featuring the final lineup that included Glover and bassist Muzz Skillings. Jagger liked what he heard, and helped arrange a record deal that launched their first album, Vivid. 

Hitting the big time

Riding the massive success of “Cult of Personality,” Vivid was a worldwide hit, and the exposure earned the band a Grammy for best Hard Rock Performance. That success set the table for the group to reunite with their biggest supporter on The Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels tour in 1989.

That oft-viewed MTV video set high expectations for their live show, and I can tell you for certain that they lived up to it at the Hoosier Dome that summer.

Thought-provoking lyrics that stretch the listeners’ conceptions were a big part of Living Colour’s music. 

On their second album, 1990’s Time’s Up, they stretched their fans’ musical tastes by leaning into their diverse roots in jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and punk. Featuring an eclectic set of cameos, the album received their second Grammy, this time for Best Hard Rock Album.

Back together

The group disbanded amicably in 1995 then reformed in 2000 after exploring individual projects. 

Since getting back together, they have produced three critically acclaimed albums, providing a steady diet of new material to a devoted fanbase.

They’ve been touring all along, maintaining the energy and eclecticism of their early days. 

Their most recent studio work was 2017’s Shade, inspired by their performance of Robert Johnson’s “Preachin’ Blues” during a celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday in 2012 at Apollo Theater in New York City.

“Shade is the sound of a band coming to terms with its shadows and light,” Reid is quoted as saying on the band’s bio. “From the blue pulpit of Robert Johnson to the mean red streets of Brooklyn… Shade is the next chapter of a unique American journey.”