Norman Whiteside

Norman Whiteside was the mastermind behind the 70’s soul group Wee, a music collective that released their sole studio LP in 1977, You Can Fly On My Aeroplane, under the indie label OWL.

Whiteside was the lead keyboardist and composed all the music released by the group.

Norman Whiteside was the Frank Ocean of the 1970s.
— Rob Sevier, co-founder of the Numero Group, speaking to Dazed in 2018.

In the summer of ‘76, a 22-year-old Whiteside led a collective of musicians into Owl Studios in Columbus. Under his direction, the group known simply as “Wee” composed their sole studio LP, You Can Fly On My Aeroplane. Although not a major success following its initial '77 release, in the 21st century, the album has proven the impact it made across the musical landscape of R&B and Soul; displaying its influence through features by many Hip-Hop and R&B artists of today, including Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Rick Ross, and others.

Band members of Wee in 1976 (Numero Group, 2018).

Following Wee’s debut release in the winter of ‘77, You Can Fly On My Aeroplane gained notoriety throughout the Columbus area; however, it did not garner much attention from the major record labels. Whiteside received auditions from many labels, including Atlantic, Mercury, Motown, and Stax, but was rejected by all. Despite his talent, determination, and passion, Whiteside felt let down by the music industry, and as a young man experiencing poverty and despair, he ultimately turned to a life of crime to get by. In 1985, Whiteside was sent to prison for his involvement in a gang dispute.

Norman Whiteside in the late-70s (Numero Group, 2018).

In 2008, while in prison, Whiteside was approached by the Numero Group, a “re-issue label” dedicated to reviving black music that failed to find a mass audience in its day. After partnering up with Whiteside, the Numero Group reissued Wee’s You Can Fly On My Aeroplane on CD, vinyl, and music streaming services, bringing the timeless classic to the next generation.

Norman Whiteside (Columbus Alive, 2017).