Me" on the LaSalle label, distributed by Solid Hitbounds Productions. The Utopias were signed by Fortune Records releasing songs written by Lasley, including "Good Friends Forever" and "Sally Bad". Music critic Dave Marsh, who referred Lasley to Fortune Records, says he was "compelled to mention Detroit roots". The Utopias first manager, John Bosquely, booked frequent club dates for the group whose appearances included the Webb Wood, gigs for the radio DJ Johnny Weems, Swingin' Time TV Show hosted by Robin Seymour, and the Driftwood Lounge at The 20 Grand nightclub, which they played forty Sunday nights in a row. Included in The Utopia's repertoire was Lasley's vocal performance of the Aretha Franklin song "Respect". At the Twenty Grand, Lasley befriended Roger Bass, keyboard player of the house band, who wrote The Utopias third single "Girls Are Against Me". Lasley met their second manager, Johnny Powers around early 1969. His first recording as a songwriter was "Just Give Me One Good Reason" by Maxine Brown, written with Roger Bass. Lasley's cover recording of "One Fine Day" produced by Johnny Powers and Roger Bass was released by Philly Groove 178 (Bell) in 1973 and a Top Single Pick in Billboard. Hair, Broadway In 1970 he joined the cast of Hair, performing first in Detroit and then on tour. This led to a move to New York City, and performances on and off-Broadway. Lasley played a leading singing role in the 1972 Gerome Ragni-Galt McDermot Broadway show "Dude" which opened at the Broadway Theatre in 1972. Work with Luther Vandross and others Lasley began his career as a back-up singer in 1970. Along with Luther Vandross, he performed on many of Chic's and Sister Sledge's recordings. Darlene Love related in an interview with HiFi Magazine how she met Luther Vandross through Lasley. In Lenny Kravitz' book Let Love Rule, Kravitz describes meeting Lasley, his generosity offering him a couch to sleep on, being mentored by Lasley with invaluable songwriting advice, and an introduction to Almo/Irving Music which led to a publishing deal. Kravitz was privy to late-night phone calls between Luther Vandross and Lasley, made from Vandross's hotel room after shows. Performers with whom Lasley worked include Todd Rundgren, Rita Coolidge, Melissa Manchester and Bonnie Raitt, who recorded a number of Lasley's compositions. In the 1980s Lasley was the radio voice of commercials including Miller Beer and Seagram's Cooler. Work with James Taylor