Eruption

History

Silent Eruption was formed in 1974 in Britain. In 1975 they won the RCA Soul Search Contest, whilst their first single "Let Me Take You Back in Time" was released in 1976. Finding their success quickly drying out, lead singer Leslie Johnson left the group, and their backing singer Precious Wilson stepped forward to front the band. They went on the road in Germany where Frank Farian, the producer of Boney M., took notice of them. Farian signed the group with the Germany-based Hansa Records and the band supported Boney M. on tour.

After a minor hit single with "Party Party", their cover of "I Can't Stand the Rain" from their first album (December 1977) was a big hit, reaching number five in the UK Singles Chart, and number 18 in U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was followed by their second album titled Leave a Light launched towards the end of 1978. The first single of the album "I'll Keep a Light in My Window" could not do as well as expected. Fortunately, the second single, "One Way Ticket" (cover of Neil Sedaka's song), restored them at the top of the charts (a UK # 9 hit). The song is often mistaken for a Boney M. record.

Precious Wilson left the group in 1979 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by singer Kim Davis. Although many doubted the group enjoyed their 3rd German Top 10-hit with "Go Johnnie Go" from the third album Fight Fight Fight although this time, UK success eluded them. Shortly after, tragedy hit when Kim Davis suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage. The band decided to continue and singer Jane Jochen stepped in. A new recording, a cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway" was released in December 1980 and peaked at #21 in the German charts. After a compilation album in the spring of 1981 and the single release of "You (You Are My Soul)" from Fight Fight Fight, the band signed to Ralph Siegel's Jupiter Records.

By now, without the lead vocals of Precious Wilson, success was drastically diminishing, and their singles from 1981-83, from their fourth album Our Way received little notice. After one final single "Where Do I Begin" in 1985, the group disbanded. In 1994 Farian released the CD Eruption Gold which actually only featured seven Eruption titles (all were remixed), the remaining 13 tracks were all Precious Wilson solo tracks.

In 1997, Precious Wilson became the legal official owner of the trademark Eruption.

She continues to tour as a solo artist promoting her solo projects, and also as Eruption with her new group, none of the band's original members perform in that line-up.