He began playing in local bands, one of which featured guitarist Jimi Hendrix, before graduating from Clark College with a degree in music and secondary education.
[3][4] When Motown moved from Detroit to Los Angeles, Bohannon stayed behind to form his own ensemble, featuring members of local band The Fabulous Counts and including such musicians as Ray Parker Jr. and Dennis Coffey.
[5][6] He signed in 1972 with the Dakar label run by producer Carl Davis, and released his debut album Stop & Go in early 1973.
6, and was later cited by Johnny Marr as a major influence on the Smiths’ song “How Soon Is Now?”[7][8] In 1976, Bohannon signed with Mercury Records and two years later had one of his biggest successes with "Let’s Start the Dance", which reached No.
[3] In 1980, he established Phase II Records,[6] and continued to have minor hits on the R&B chart for the next three years, using new vocalists Liz Lands and Altrinna Grayson.
[4][6] Bohannon was a devout Christian[4] and dedicated his album Dance Your Ass Off to "God, my master, savior and Jesus Christ".