Will Powers: The Enigmatic Voice of 80s Art Pop

Will Powers is a conceptual music project and persona created by photographer and director Lynn Goldsmith. The project is best known for the 1983 single "Adventures in Success," a quirky, spoken-word art pop track that became a cult hit and defined the act's brief but memorable output.

Early Career

The Will Powers project was conceived in the early 1980s by Lynn Goldsmith, a renowned rock photographer who sought to explore themes of self-help and personal transformation through music. Goldsmith adopted the Will Powers persona as a vehicle for this artistic statement, blending new wave, pop, and funk with spoken-word monologues.

Breakthrough

The project's breakthrough came in 1983 with the release of the album "Dancing for Mental Health" on Island Records. The lead single, "Adventures in Success," featuring a distinctive spoken-word performance by actress and singer Patti Labelle, gained significant airplay on alternative and college radio stations. The track's unique blend of motivational speaking and danceable grooves captured the era's experimental spirit.

Key Tracks

Adventures in Success - This 1983 single is the definitive Will Powers track, featuring Patti Labelle's iconic spoken-word delivery over a synth-funk backdrop.

Kissing with Confidence - Another single from the debut album, it continued the theme of instructional, self-improvement lyrics set to dance-pop.

Smile - A track that encapsulates the project's upbeat, philosophical, and slightly ironic approach to pop music.

The "Dancing for Mental Health" album featured contributions from notable musicians like Steve Winwood and Nile Rodgers, adding musical credibility to the conceptual endeavor. Despite the novelty aspect, the production was polished and the music was taken seriously by critics. After this period of activity, the Will Powers persona was largely retired, leaving behind a unique snapshot of 1980s art pop.

For fans of the eclectic, genre-blending side of 80s pop, similar artists include Laurie Anderson for her avant-garde spoken-word style. Talking Heads share a similar intellectual approach to danceable rhythms. The conceptual nature also relates to Grace Jones and her powerful, stylized persona.