Cherrelle

Last updated

Cherrelle
Birth nameCheryl Ann Norton
Born (1958-10-13) October 13, 1958 (age 66) [1]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1983–present
Labels

Cheryl Anne Norton (born October 13, 1958), [1] better known by her stage name Cherrelle, is an American R&B singer and songwriter who gained fame in the mid-1980s. Her signature hits include "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On", "Where Do I Run To", "Everything I Miss at Home", and duets with R&B singer Alexander O'Neal such as "Saturday Love" [2] and "Never Knew Love Like This", as well as "Always" with her cousin Pebbles. [3]

Contents

Biography

Born in Los Angeles, her father, James Feaster, was an Detroit attorney who also managed her. [4] She began her career working with jazz/R&B artists Norman Connors and Michael Henderson, as well as touring with Luther Vandross. After Tabu Records founder Clarence Avant heard her demo, he signed her to Tabu Records in 1983. Cherrelle decided on her stage name after a boss from a previous job hollered "Cher-relle, you're late again!" [1]

In 1984, under the production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Cherrelle released her debut album, Fragile. It featured her first R&B top 10 single, "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On". That song (with a music video homage to the film King Kong , featuring Cherrelle as the beast's love interest) was covered about a year later by pop singer Robert Palmer [1] on his 1985 album Riptide . It was also covered by Mariah Carey for her 2001 soundtrack album Glitter using the same instrumental track.

Cherrelle's follow-up album, High Priority, was certified gold and produced the top 40 hit and the #2 R&B hit "Saturday Love"; a duet with Alexander O'Neal, it would also land in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 6. [5] Cherrelle and O'Neal would have another top 40 single with "Never Knew Love Like This", which peaked at #28 US pop in 1988, and #2 R&B. A remixed version of "Saturday Love" on Tabu Records reached #55 in the UK Singles Chart in early 1990. [5] Her third album, 1988's Affair , included the Number 1 R&B single, "Everything I Miss at Home". The album's title track became another R&B hit, peaking at number 4 on the R&B charts. [6]

Cherrelle's cousin is pop singer Perri "Pebbles" Reid; and she is the aunt of Brandi of the girl group Blaque. Cherrelle is also a first cousin of Musica Monica Feaster, Music Producer/Gospel Artist. In addition to Cherrelle's musical background, she and Johnny Gill were featured on Pebbles' 1991 single "Always", which made the R&B top 20. That same year, Cherrelle released the album The Woman I Am, a first-time departure from using Jam and Lewis productions. The singer linked with producer Narada Michael Walden (known for working with Whitney Houston). Cherrelle reunited with the producers eight years later with her independent album The Right Time, released in 1999, and featuring a guest appearance from rapper Keith Murray.

Voice and musical ability

Cherrelle has a light-lyric soprano vocal range. Her voice has been called a "light, wispy and occasionally whiny soprano" which influenced the urban contemporary music markets by Ron Wynn of AllMusic. [7] Cherrelle's "light and airy soprano" were considered the inspiration as to why Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis wanted to produce her and showcase her gift to the world. [8] Other critics gave her praise for being able to convey emotions. [9]

Discography

Studio albums

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saturday Love</span> 1985 single by Cherrelle

"Saturday Love" is a song performed by American R&B singers Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal. The song was written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and was released in October 1985. It peaked at No. 2 on the US R&B chart and became a moderate pop hit peaking at No. 26 on the US Hot 100 in the spring of 1986. It reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 4 on the New Zealand Top 40 and No. 7 on the Irish Singles Chart. The song appeared on Cherrelle's gold album, High Priority on Tabu Records and included an extended spoken dialogue introduction skit set in a bar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Knew Love Like This</span> 1988 single by Alexander ONeal featuring Cherrelle

"Never Knew Love Like This" is a top ten US R&B hit song duetted by American R&B singers Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal; released in 1988. The song peaked at #2 in the US R&B chart, #26 in the UK and #28 in the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lovers (Alexander O'Neal song)</span> 1988 single by Alexander ONeal

"The Lovers" is a song written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It is the fourth single from the singer's second solo album, Hearsay (1987). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Cherrelle and Lisa Keith. Following the successful chart performances of the Hearsay singles "Fake", "Criticize", and "Never Knew Love Like This", "The Lovers" was released as the album's fourth single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me</span> 1988 single by Alexander ONeal

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innocent (Alexander O'Neal song)</span> 1985 single by Alexander ONeal

"Innocent" is a song written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal, whose original version was released as his first solo single in 1985 on Tabu Records. It is also a single from the singer's self-titled debut solo studio album, Alexander O'Neal (1985). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Cherrelle. The song's time was edited for release as a single, with the album version being a medley consisting of "Innocent"/"Alex 9000"/"Innocent II", and was just over six minutes longer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fake (Alexander O'Neal song)</span> 1987 single by Alexander ONeal

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<i>Fragile</i> (Cherrelle album) 1984 studio album by Cherrelle

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<i>Affair</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Cherrelle

Affair is the third studio album by American singer Cherrelle. Released on October 19, 1988, by Tabu Records, It reached #15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart; and #106 on Billboard Top 200. It spawned the #1 R&B hit "Everything I Miss at Home," which is Cherrelle's only #1 on that chart to date. It would also be her last album with long-time producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

<i>High Priority</i> 1985 studio album by Cherrelle

High Priority is the second studio album by American singer Cherrelle. Released in October 1985, it reached #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart and #36 on the Billboard 200. It generated Cherrelle's biggest pop hit with her duet with Alexander O'Neal, "Saturday Love" which peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Alexander ONeal</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Alexander ONeal

Alexander O'Neal is the debut solo studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was originally released in 1985 by Tabu and Epic. The songs were recorded during 1984 to 1985 in sessions that took place at Creation Audio in Minnesota, and Larrabee Sound in Los Angeles, California, assisted by R&B songwriting and record production team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Didn't Mean to Turn You On</span> 1984 single by Cherrelle

"I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" is the debut single written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and originally performed by American singer Cherrelle in 1984. In the song, the singer is attempting to rebuff unwanted sexual advances following a date, including pressure to have a one-night stand. In 1986, "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" was covered by English singer Robert Palmer. Palmer's cover fared better on the pop chart while Cherrelle's version was a hit on the R&B chart.

<i>Love Makes No Sense</i> 1993 studio album by Alexander ONeal

Love Makes No Sense is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. The album was O'Neal's final release for Tabu, and his first album made without formal production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Middle (Alexander O'Neal song)</span> 1993 single by Alexander ONeal

"In the Middle" is a song written and produced by Terry Coffey and Jon Nettlesbey, and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was released in 1993 by Tabu Records as the second single from his fifth studio album, Love Makes No Sense (1993). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Cherrelle. Following the successful chart performances of the single "Love Makes No Sense", "In the Middle" was recorded by Wolfgang Aichholz at Winsonics, Los Angeles, CA. It became O'Neal's 24th hit single, reaching number 32 on the UK Singles Chart and number 26 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The accompanying music video was directed by Zack Snyder. The single's front cover bears resemblance to a bingo board.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Andy Kellman. "Cherrelle | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Vibe". Time Publishing Ventures, Incorporated. January 31, 2007 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ "Cherrelle Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Obituaries for August 2, 1999". Las Vegas Sun . August 2, 1999.
  5. 1 2 "UK Charts > Cherrelle". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  6. ↑ "US Charts > Cherrelle". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  7. ↑ Ron Wynn. "High Priority – Cherrelle | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Review: Tabu Wave 2 – Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle, Kathy Mathis and The S.O.S. Band". The Second Disc. May 30, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Best of Cherrelle CD Album". CD Universe. October 17, 1995. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
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