Gene Page (September 13, 1939 – August 24, 1998) – Blacula (The Stalkwalk) (1972)
The prolific yet unsung composer, arranger, and producer scored the Blaxploitation classic Blacula, including its masterpiece funk title theme.
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Gene Page was a multi-talented composer, arranger, conductor, and producer who helped create an astounding number of classic soul, funk, disco, and R&B tracks from the 1960s through the early 1990s, with nearly 2,000 credits to his name.
Eugene Edgar Page Jr. was born and raised in Los Angeles. In 1972, Page scored the highly influential film Blacula, the first in a long line of horror Blaxploitation films of the 1970s. He wrote its masterpiece, the blistering funk title theme “Blacula (The Stalkwalk),” and with his brother Billy co-wrote the superb jam “Heavy Changes.”
Also in 1972, in addition to his prolific arranging and conducting work for other artists, Page became a member of Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra. The 40-piece orchestra was the West Coast equivalent to Philadelphia International Records’ house band MFSB.
Page’s debut solo LP Hot City was released in 1974. Produced by Barry White, it was arranged and conducted by Page, who also played keyboards on the album. Along with his brother Billy, Page co-wrote the superb instrumental jam “Cream Corner (Get What You Want).” It was released as the B-side to the LP’s epic opening cut and lead single, “All Our Dreams Are Coming True,” which Page solely wrote, and hit #9 on Billboard’s new disco charts.
The album’s second single “Satin Soul” was written by White and arranged by Page. It was an even bigger club hit, charting at #4. Love Unlimited Orchestra included their own version of the track on their best-selling White Gold LP, also arranged by Page and released the same year in 1974, which hit #22 R&B and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Hot City featured an all-star lineup of Love Unlimited Orchestra veterans Melvin “Wah Wah Watson” Ragin, David T. Walker, and Ray Parker Jr. on guitar; Wilton Felder on bass; and Ernie Watts on saxophone. Besides Page and White, the legendary session musician Clarence “Mac” McDonald also played keyboards.
Further info:
“Obituary: Gene Page,” The Independent, September 20, 1998.
“Gene Page: The Best of the Motown Arranger Extraordinaire,” Red Bull Music Academy Daily, June 19, 2014.
#soul #funk #Blacula #GenePage