Interview w/ Starpoint "Ernesto Phillips & Renee Diggs" (1985) hosted by Kevin Fleming KGFJ 1230 AM

In remembrance of Kevin Fleming, Ernesto Phillips and Renee Diggs. Rare interview from 1985 with singers Ernesto Phillips and Renee Diggs of the group Starpoint. Hosted by Kevin Fleming when he was Program Director for KGFJ (1230 AM) Los Angeles. Coming straight outta Northside of Minneapolis, Kevin went to school with an early Prince and lived next door to Andre Cymone. Kevin Fleming attended Clark College in Atlanta, obtaining a degree in Broadcast Management and Communications. Early radio stops include WAOK & WIGO/Atlanta and WWDM/Sumter, SC, and his first major market programming job came as Program Director of KGFJ/Los Angeles. Fleming later transitioned to the label side as Regional Promotion Rep for Island Records, and rapidly promoted to Vice President of Black Music. After a brief stint at Third Stone Records, Fleming was named VP/GM of Perspective Records under the ownership of mega-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. He signed Tone Loc, Young Mc, Will Downing, Mica Paris, Miles Jaye, Sounds of Blackness, Nona Gaye, and many others. During the early ’90s, Fleming returned to radio as OM/PD of KACE & KRTO/Los Angeles while also starting his own consultancy. In 2000, he joined San Francisco-based trade publication Gavin as its Urban Editor, while maintaining his consulting business. In 2002 he founded The Urban Buzz, building it into a leading urban music and entertainment site. In 2006, Fleming was hired by Radio One to program the company’s flagship station KKBT (The Beat)/Los Angeles and transform it into the first-class major market Urban Adult brand, KRBV (V100). Most recently, Fleming was Program Director of Pacifica Radio’s KPFK/Los Angeles. Kevin died Sept. 21, 2023 in Los Angeles after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Renee Diggs, is an R&B/Disco/Pop Musician. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, Diggs was a member and lead singer of the group, Starpoint. Ernesto Phillips, is an R&B Musician, Songwriter, Music Producer. A native of Crownsville, Maryland, Ernesto Phillips was a member and singer of the group Starpoint. A graduate of the Arundel High School in Gambills, Maryland, the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Community College, and an attendee of Howard University, he helped form the group in New York City in 1969, which also included Lionel Job, Kayode Adeyemo, George Phillips, Gregory Phillips, Orlando Phillips, and the late Renee Diggs (companion of Ernesto Phillips). The group was originally called 'Lieyndiana' and only included the Phillips brothers before they added Diggs as there lead singer. The group met Renee early in there career and after hearing her wonderful singing voice, they immediately installed her as the group's lead singer, and changed there name to 'Starpoint.' The group began doing rehearsals, writing sessions, and eventually touring and doing other performances, sometimes with the likes of Isley O'Kelly and Luther Vandross. The group were signed to a Polygram Record Label, on the Casablanca/Chocolate City Records in 1980, and together the group recorded four albums on that label. There seventh album, and single, 'Object Of My Desire,' were released in 1985. The album which was recorded on the Elektra/Asylum Label (Warner Brothers Label) sold over 600,000 copies while the single for 'Object Of My Desire,' went gold. They soon followed this up with there Restless tour, but there success and joy was short-lived. During the tour Renee was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and the rest of the tour was cancelled. The band eventually disbanded. In 1990, Renee returned to music as a solo artist releasing her debut album, "Oasis" on the Capitol Records Label. The album wasn't released by the Capitol Records Label, but it was eventually released in Europe on the Expansion Records Label. She also went founded an organization that dealt with her illness. The longtime companion of fellow bandmate Renee Diggs, Phillips and Renee often wrote songs together. A talented trumpet player, and music producer, Phillips went onto discover the likes of Toni Braxton and produce Kimberley Scott and Milli Vanilli. Prior to his death Phillips continued to work and even counseled troubled teenagers at the Sheppard Pratt Psychiatric Clinic in Ellicott City, Maryland. On March 25, 2004, Phillips suffered a stroke and passed away at the age of 50. On March 18, 2005, less than a year later his companion and fellow bandmate Renee Diggs passed away from a heart problem at the age of 49. Other recordings by 'Starpoint' include, 'Let Go,' 'I Got The Love,' 'I'm So Crazy ('Bout You), 'Give Real Love A Try,' 'Behind Your Back,' 'It's So Delicious,' 'Somethin' In Your Eyes,' 'Put Your Love On Me,' and 'Don't Be So Serious,' among many others. R.I.P. Kevin Fleming ?- 9/21/2023 Renee Diggs 23/6/1954-18/3/2005 Ernesto Phillips 13/7/1953-25/3/2004