(March 21, 2025) Back in 1983, R&B/Funk band Midnight Star had its first big hit after years of pounding away at the lower end of the charts. “Freak-A-Zoid,” with its pioneering blend of techno, robotic vocals and cold beats, became a smash and an instant dance classic.
Written by group members Reggie and Vincent Calloway along with Bill Simmons, “Freak-A-Zoid” began a string of huge hits for Midnight Star, and established the Calloways as hitmaking songwriters for the band, and for a variety of other artists such as Klymaxx (“Meeting in The Ladies Room”), The Deele (“Body Talk”), Levert (“Casanova”), Teddy Pendergrass (“Joy”), and Gladys Knight (“Love Overboard”).
In 1986, the Calloway brothers left Midnight Star to form Calloway, and immediately had a top 5 hit with “I Wanna Be Rich.”
Now, after years working individually, the Calloway brothers are back working on new material, and they begin with a recreated and re-recorded “Freak-A-Zoid (Reboot),” with an animated “Freak-A-Zoid” video illustrated by Cam Calloway (Reggie’s son) will be released on March 28.
“Two new generations have been born since that magical day in 1983 when ‘Freak-A-Zoid’ went to number two on the Billboard R&B singles chart. We want to make sure that they along with future generations can enjoy and experience this trailblazing and trendsetting song. We want everyone to know the history and connection that we have to this song,” said Reggie Calloway.
Check out the new version of “Freak-A-Zoid” below.
