The BusBoys were formed in Los Angeles in the late 1970s by brothers Brian O’Neal (keyboards, vocals) and Kevin O’Neal (bass, vocals), alongside Gus Loundermon (vocals), Mike Jones (keyboards, vocals), Vic Johnson (guitar), and Steve Felix (drums). Their first breakthrough came with the single "New Shoes" and the track "The Boys Are Back in Town", both featured in the 1982 film 48 Hrs. and later in Eddie Murphy’s stand‑up tour Delirious, which propelled the group into mainstream visibility. The band signed with Arista Records and released Minimum Wage Rock 'n Roll (1980) and American Worker (1982), both reaching the Billboard 200. In 1984 they issued "Cleanin' Up The Town", a soundtrack contribution for Ghostbusters that peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning them a Grammy nomination. The 1988 album "Money Don't Make No Man" showcased a synth‑funk direction and featured Murphy on the track "Never Giving Up". After lineup changes, the group released Boys Are Back In Town (2000), re‑recording their earlier hits. The BusBoys toured with acts such as Linda Ronstadt, Brian Setzer, and ZZ Top, and appeared on American Bandstand, Soul Train, and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. Their music continued to be used in sports programming, notably as the theme for NBA and Fox Sports coverage of Major League Baseball, sustaining the band’s cultural presence into the 21st century.
