E.U. formed in the '70s and originally had a sound inspired by early Earth, Wind & Fire, Santana, and War. They developed into one of Washington, D.C.'s most original and longest-lasting go-go acts. Led by bassist and vocalist Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott, E.U. had a primarily local following through performances and albums like Free Yourself (1977) and Future Funk (1982), until they scored an unlikely Top 40 pop hit in 1988 with "Da'Butt," featured in Spike Lee's School Daze. The band signed to Virgin and charted five singles with the label. They subsequently returned to independence and continued to perform frequently as Sugar Bear & E.U. ~ Andy Kellman