Indianapolis musician Kevin "Flash" Ferrell earned his nickname through a stage presence that left a lasting impression on audiences.
Known for his work with bands including Manchild and Redd Hott, Ferrell was a defining voice in Indiana funk. He died last month at the age of 74.
Born in 1952, Ferrell grew up in Indianapolis' Riverside neighborhood.
He attended Wood High School and began performing professionally as a teenager in the late 1960s with the Expressions Show Band. His first recording opportunity came in 1974 with the Indianapolis funk band Rhythm Machine.
Ferrell served as lead vocalist on the group's first two singles, including their debut release, "The Kick." Their follow-up single, "Freakish Love," has become a major collector's item, with original copies selling for hundreds of dollars.
Ferrell earned the nickname "Flash" for his electrifying stage presence. Those talents reached their fullest expression with the all-star Indianapolis funk group Manchild.
The band toured nationally and issued Billboard-charting releases. Today, Manchild is remembered for launching the career of Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, but during the band's most successful years, it was Ferrell who stood front and center as lead vocalist.
Manchild manager Sid Johnson said Ferrell's stage presence was unforgettable.
"He was my hero in terms of a live performer," Johnson said. "The name Flash was very appropriate for him, because he was like a bolt of lightning on stage. He commanded the audience's attention. I always thought he was like a black Mick Jagger. He was like a cross between Jagger and James Brown."
Ferrell was known for his raw and gritty voice, but Johnson says listeners sometimes overlooked its range and nuance.
"He had more texture in his voice, I think, than a lot of people really recognize," Johnson said. "Because if you go back and listen to "These Are The Things That Are Special To Me," the way he caresses that tune is different than how he did "Red Hot Daddy." Manchild opened a show in Washington, D.C., What an odd combination. It was the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Phyllis Hyman, and Manchild. Can you imagine? Phyllis Hyman was standing in the wings beside me, watching the show, and when they did ‘These Are The Things That Are Special To Me,’ she told me, she said, ‘I want to cover that song.’”
After Manchild disbanded, Ferrell continued performing and recording, most notably with the early 1980s group Redd Hott.
Ferrell sang and co-wrote the band's Billboard-charting single "Big Fat Bottom," but Johnson says Ferrell's lasting legacy will be the excitement and charisma he brought to the stage with Manchild.
"For the Indianapolis community, he was the ultimate showman," Johnson said. "There is no one else, and when I say this, you know, argue with your mother, you can't find anybody else that put on a show like Kevin 'Flash' Ferrell. Once you saw Manchild and you saw that lead singer, even if you didn't know his name, you would say, 'Man, that guy that was up front singing, man, he's something else, he puts on the show.' That's his legacy. Kevin 'Flash' Ferrell was Indianapolis' Mr. Showman."
