Pure Essence, an American R&B band from Cincinnati, Ohio, emerged in the 1970s with a dynamic fusion of funk, soul, and rock influences. The original lineup featured Steve "Tuck" Walters, Jerome "Mouse" Richmond, Toby Rivers, Tony Coats, Dwight Trible, Larry Middleton, Antonio "L.A." Reid, and Kevin "Kayo" Roberson. Their 1976 single "Third Rock" gained regional acclaim and was later sampled by RJD2 in 2004, introducing their sound to a new generation. Members like L.A. Reid and Kevin Roberson continued to shape the music industry, with Reid co-founding LaFace Records. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Essence?utm_source=openai))