The Evolution of The SOS Band

Follow the legendary group on their journey to the top.

The Evolution of the S.O.S. Band - The S.O.S. Band is best known for the 1980 dance classic "Take the Time (Do It Right)." It's not only their biggest hit, it's also the perfect mantra for the legendary group: They definitely took their time — with their continued touring, their career spans four decades now. And they no doubt did it right, dropping a series of hit singles throughout the 1980s and taking their legendary live show around the globe. For these reasons and more, we're paying tribute to the S.O.S. Band at the BET Honors '13. But first, read on to get to know the band and follow their journey to the top. (Photo: HRC/WENN.com)

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The Evolution of the S.O.S. Band - The S.O.S. Band is best known for the 1980 dance classic "Take the Time (Do It Right)." It's not only their biggest hit, it's also the perfect mantra for the legendary group: They definitely took their time — with their continued touring, their career spans four decades now. And they no doubt did it right, dropping a series of hit singles throughout the 1980s and taking their legendary live show around the globe. For these reasons and more, we're paying tribute to the S.O.S. Band at the BET Honors '13. But first, read on to get to know the band and follow their journey to the top. (Photo: HRC/WENN.com)

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A Band Is Born - The S.O.S. Band started out under the name Santa Monica in 1977, when keyboardist/vocalist Jason Bryant, saxophonists Billy Ellis and Willie "Sonny" Killebrew, guitarist Bruno Speight, bassist John Alexander Simpson, drummer James Earl Jones III, and lead vocalist Mary Davis formed a group called Santa Monica that frequently played at Atlanta nightclub the Regal Room.   (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Sounds of Success - The band signed to Tabu Records, who linked them up with songwriter and producer Sigidi Abdullah. Under Abdullah’s suggestion, the group changed its name to the S.O.S. Band, which stood for "Sounds of Success."  (Photo: Tabu Records)

S.O.S. - With "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" leading the way, the group’s superb 1980 debut, S.O.S., sold 800,000 copies and established them as a force in the R&B world and beyond. Meanwhile, the band picked up a new member, trumpeter, vocalist and percussionist Abdul Ra'oof, who joined them on their first world tour.(Photo: Tabu Records)

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S.O.S. - With "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" leading the way, the group’s superb 1980 debut, S.O.S., sold 800,000 copies and established them as a force in the R&B world and beyond. Meanwhile, the band picked up a new member, trumpeter, vocalist and percussionist Abdul Ra'oof, who joined them on their first world tour.(Photo: Tabu Records)

Second Time Around - The band linked with producer Sigidi for their second album, 1981’s Too, which yielded singles "Do It Now (Part 1)" and "You" but didn’t have the commercial and musical impact of their debut. (Photo: Tabu Records)

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Second Time Around - The band linked with producer Sigidi for their second album, 1981’s Too, which yielded singles "Do It Now (Part 1)" and "You" but didn’t have the commercial and musical impact of their debut. (Photo: Tabu Records)

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S.O.S. Band III - On the band's third LP, S.O.S. Band III, they worked with producer Leon Sylvers III and songwriter Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who would go on to produce the band). The album once again failed to live up to commercial expectations, putting pressure on the S.O.S. Band to turn things around. (Photo: Tabu Records)

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S.O.S. Band III - On the band's third LP, S.O.S. Band III, they worked with producer Leon Sylvers III and songwriter Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who would go on to produce the band). The album once again failed to live up to commercial expectations, putting pressure on the S.O.S. Band to turn things around. (Photo: Tabu Records)

Jam and Lewis Era - The S.O.S. Band resurrected their careers on their fourth LP, On the Rise, by handing the production reins over to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis took over the production chores. Boosted by hit singles "Just Be Good to Me" and beat-box ballad "Tell Me If You Still Care," On the Rise became the S.O.S. Band’s second gold album. The album helped popularize the now-classic sound of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. (Photo: Tabu Records)

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Jam and Lewis Era - The S.O.S. Band resurrected their careers on their fourth LP, On the Rise, by handing the production reins over to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis took over the production chores. Boosted by hit singles "Just Be Good to Me" and beat-box ballad "Tell Me If You Still Care," On the Rise became the S.O.S. Band’s second gold album. The album helped popularize the now-classic sound of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. (Photo: Tabu Records)

Just the Way You Like It - The S.O.S. Band, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam’s magical chemistry continued bearing fruit with the 1984 album Just the Way You Like It, which included the smash title track. (Photo: Tabu Records)

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Just the Way You Like It - The S.O.S. Band, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam’s magical chemistry continued bearing fruit with the 1984 album Just the Way You Like It, which included the smash title track. (Photo: Tabu Records)

Sands of Time - The S.O.S. Band kept riding high with the 1986 album Sands of Time, which became their third gold album thanks to the number two R&B hit "The Finest.” (Photo: HRC/WENN.com)

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Sands of Time - The S.O.S. Band kept riding high with the 1986 album Sands of Time, which became their third gold album thanks to the number two R&B hit "The Finest.” (Photo: HRC/WENN.com)

Changes - In 1987, vocalist Mary Davis left the S.O.S. Band to pursue a solo career. The band recorded two more albums: Diamonds in the Raw and One of Many Nights. (Photo: HRC/WENN.com)

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Changes - In 1987, vocalist Mary Davis left the S.O.S. Band to pursue a solo career. The band recorded two more albums: Diamonds in the Raw and One of Many Nights. (Photo: HRC/WENN.com)

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Together Again - In August 1994, Mary Davis reunited with former band mates Abdul Ra'oof and Jason Bryant, and together they reconstructed a new S.O.S. Band lineup, appearing on comedian Sinbad's HBO concert specials and touring the world once again. (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Together Again - In August 1994, Mary Davis reunited with former band mates Abdul Ra'oof and Jason Bryant, and together they reconstructed a new S.O.S. Band lineup, appearing on comedian Sinbad's HBO concert specials and touring the world once again. (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

Legacy - The S.O.S. Band has been covered and sampled many times, which helped keep their legacy alive. "Just Be Good to Me" was covered in 1990 by Beats International (aka Norman Cook or Fatboy Slim); the result was U.K. number-one single "Dub Be Good to Me." The song "Tell Me If You Still Care" was covered by fellow Atlantan Monica on her 1995 debut, Miss Thang, and sampled by Janet Jackson for her 2006 hit "Call on Me." Most recently, ASAP Rocky's 2011 mixtape banger "Peso" sampled the S.O.S. Band's "No One's Gonna Love You."(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Legacy - The S.O.S. Band has been covered and sampled many times, which helped keep their legacy alive. "Just Be Good to Me" was covered in 1990 by Beats International (aka Norman Cook or Fatboy Slim); the result was U.K. number-one single "Dub Be Good to Me." The song "Tell Me If You Still Care" was covered by fellow Atlantan Monica on her 1995 debut, Miss Thang, and sampled by Janet Jackson for her 2006 hit "Call on Me." Most recently, ASAP Rocky's 2011 mixtape banger "Peso" sampled the S.O.S. Band's "No One's Gonna Love You."(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)