1983 Champaign – Modern Heart

Champaign was a 1980s American R&B band best known for their 1981 hit, “How ‘Bout Us”.

The septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones (later Day) on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden on keyboards; Leon Reeder on guitar; Michael Reed on bass; and Rocky Maffit on percussion/drums. The title track from their 1981 album, “How ‘Bout Us”, was a hit single, reaching #5 in the UK Singles Chart, and on the US Billboard R&B chart (also #12 on the Billboard Hot 100). Their second album, Modern Heart, was released in 1983 and contained the Top 10 hit “Try Again” (also #23 on the Hot 100). Another follow-up, 1984’s Woman in Flames, included the Top 10 song “Off and On Love”. Other songs include “Party People” and “Walkin'”.