The Lost Generation was a Chicago soul vocal group who's biggest hit The Sly, Slick and the Wicked, was a mellow ballad that reached number 14 on the R & B charts and 30 on the pop chart in the summer of 1970.
The original group members consisted of Lowrell Simon lead singer and song writer, Fred Simon, the last living original member, Jesse Dean and Larry Brownlee. In 1972 Leslie Dean joined the group and remained with them until they disbanded.
Their hit The Sly, Slick and The Wicked tied with the Jackson 5's ABC in the trade publication Record World's 1970, and received record of the year award. The release also generated enough money for Brunswick Records to buy itself out from its owner, Decca Records.
On the flip side was “You're So Young but So True', and their next single, ”Wait a Minute", written by the Chi-lites Eugene Record. The Simon, Brownlee and Redmond trio wrote “Someday” and "Talking the Teenage Language". All were included on The Sly, Slick and the Wicked album released in the fall of 1970.
After their last chart hit, “Your Mission (If You Decide to Accept It) Part 1", the group disbanded and Larry Brownlee and Fred Simon joined Curtom Records as members of the group Mystique featuring Ralph Johnson, the former lead singer of the Impressions. The group charted with 3 Bunny Sigler produced singles: “Is It Really You?”, “What Would the World Be Like Without Music?”, and “It Took a Woman Like You." Lowrell co-wrote and co-produced the track “Keep on Playing the Music” on their self- titled debut LP.
Lowrell dropped his last name and signed with entertainer Liberace's AVI Records; the single “Mellow Mellow Right On” and “ You're Playing Dirty” from his self titled album Lowrell went to number 32 on the R&B chart in 1979. He also produced and co-wrote, along with his brother Jeffrey Simon, the Notations single “Think Before You Stop ” on Gemigo Records (US)/Curtom (UK) which charted in 1985.
He continued his solo career writing hits for several artist. See Lowrell for more detailed information on his musical journeys.
After the group disbanded, Fred reformed the group, this time adding Jesse Dean from the original group, King Collier, Julius Armour and Charles Jackson. This version of the group performed together for about 2 years before disbanding.
Fast forward to 1996, Fred reformed the group this time it consisted of Fred Simon, Diana Simon (wife), Audra (Waxie) Rushing and Charles Jackson and along with Leslie Dean and Charles Jackson formed Tre' Fyve Productions and produced their first single “Thinkin' Bout Cha which was released in 2001 is still doing very well.
Sadly Lowrell died in 2018, Larry Brownlee in 1978 and Jessie Dean in 2002 and Audra (Waxie) Rushing in 2008.
Today the remaining members are still recording and releasing new music. They can be followed on all social media platforms.
