Comments for Webster, Clay and Calhoun, Solidarity!

Taken from the Grocery Spanking Records press release dated Feb 7, 2008: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thurs, Feb 7, 2008. Grocery Spanking Records today announced plans to reissue Webster, Clay & Calhoun's long-deleted triple LP, Solidarity!, on CD and digital download for Summer 2008. First released in June 1983, Solidarity! was an attempt to marry songs about Lech Walesa's Solidarity movement in Poland, with a diverse mix of pop/rock genres, similar to The Clash's 1981 triple album Sandinista! Solidarity!, however, sold in disappointing numbers. Audiences and critics were confronted with an album containing mastering errors, bland contemporary covers, and several offensive remarks about Polish citizens, which severely undermined Webster, Clay & Calhoun's attempts at creating a valid socio-political statement. The media fallout surrounding Solidarity!, combined with prohibitive recording and production costs, ultimately torpedoed Webster, Clay & Calhoun's career, forcing the band apart after being dropped by their label, Cleveland International Records. The group was mired in expensive lawsuits for the next three years, until their 1986 cash-in reunion tour, which saw a founding member opt out, and the group perform under the moniker Clay, Calhoun & Monroe. Webster, Clay & Calhoun formed in the late 1960's, earned several low-charting hits in the 1970s, and is best known for their unique mix of pop hits and historically-themed originals. Neither Grocery Spanking Records nor Webster, Clay & Calhoun could be reached for comment at this time.