DeBarge family

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DeBarge Family
Place of origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Members

The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Contents

In 1975, musician Bobby DeBarge left Grand Rapids to start the funk-soul band Switch, which first went by the name First Class. Eventually signing with Motown Records in 1978, the group's debut album, yielding the hit "There'll Never Be", sold over one million copies and started the DeBarge musical dynasty.

In 1979, Bunny, Marty, Randy, El, and James signed with Motown as the DeBarges and released their debut album two years later, under the guidance of Bobby and Tommy who left Switch that year to begin mentoring their siblings. A year later in 1982, the group, now known as DeBarge, found fame with the singles, "I Like It" and "All This Love". They would go on to have several more hit singles, such as "Time Will Reveal", "Love Me in a Special Way" and "Rhythm of the Night", by the mid-1980s.

Younger brother Chico became a solo success first with his 1986 dance-pop single, "Talk to Me", followed by singles such as "Iggin' Me" and "No Guarantees". El DeBarge also found solo fame in the 1980s with singles such as "Who's Johnny" and "Love Always", and with collaborations on hits by Quincy Jones, Tone Loc, and Fourplay. Etterlene's youngest son Darrell released his first solo album in 2005.

Members

Robert Louis DeBarge, Sr. (1932–2009) from Cicero, Illinois, served in the U.S. Armed Forces and was of French and English descent. [1] [ self-published source? ] Robert's grandfather Arthur DeBarge immigrated from France. [2] [ self-published source? ] Robert met Etterlene Abney (1935–2024), who was African American, in Detroit, in the early 1950s. They married in 1953, at 21 and 17 years old, respectively, settling in a predominantly Black section of Detroit, where they had ten children.

In 1972, the DeBarges moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Etterlene's brother, Bishop William Charles Abney, Jr., pastored Bethel Pentecostal Church. Etterlene divorced Robert in 1974 after 21 years of marriage. She later married a second time to George Rodriguez, who was Puerto Rican, leading to the erroneous rumor that the family was half-Hispanic.

Robert and Etterlene had 10 children:

Robert and Etterlene had dozens of grandchildren, several of whom are involved in the entertainment industry. They include:

Recording artists and groups

Etterlene

Etterlene has recorded label releases and gospel material, mostly with her family members, with her independent gospel releases.

Switch (Bobby and Tommy)

Brothers Bobby and Tommy rose to fame in the late 1970s as members of the R&B group Switch, which recorded exclusively for the Motown label. Earlier, Bobby had joined a group as a background member for Barry White called White Heat. Switch would succeed in 1978 with the top ten R&B single, "There'll Never Be". The group's first two albums became million-selling successes, and the band's success would influence a generation of R&B bands such as Tony! Toni! Toné! and Mint Condition. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Bobby

In 1981 Bobby and his brother Tommy left Switch and started to mentor their younger siblings in the group DeBarge. [9] Although he remained a collaborator with his brothers and sister, Bobby struggled with personal problems that ended his career. It's Not Over, his only solo project, was released in 1996 following his death in 1995 at the age of 39.

DeBarge (Bunny, Randy, Mark, El, and James)

Forming in 1979 as The DeBarges, the band initially included four members – Bunny, Randy, Mark and El  –who moved to Los Angeles and signed with Motown. There they underwent a two-year training process before releasing their first album in 1981. With the inclusion of 18-year-old James in early 1982, the group changed its name to DeBarge and released its first million-selling album, All This Love , later that year. From 1982 to 1985, DeBarge released three gold-certified albums and released more than ten hit singles. After disbanding in 1986, a reinvented version of the group featuring Bobby and excluding El and Bunny released a record in 1988 before disbanding the following year.

El

After leaving DeBarge for a solo career in 1986, El had modest success peaking with the song "Who's Johnny" and finding fame as a featured vocalist on several hip-hop and quiet storm-leaning R&B productions. These included most prominently "Secret Garden" with Quincy Jones and his cover of Marvin Gaye's "After the Dance" with Fourplay.

El released his first studio album since 1994, Second Chance , on November 30, 2010.

Bunny

In 1986, Motown released Bunny's only solo project, In Love, which flopped due to the label's failure to promote it despite her first single, "Save The Best For Me". Most known for writing the songs "I Like It" and "A Dream," Bunny now records independently as a gospel artist. She, Randy, James, and her daughter appeared on an episode of Lifechangers .

James

Though he has not had any solo success since DeBarge's breakup, James is most notable for his personal relationship and short marriage to R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson during the early 1980s. He and Jackson annulled their marriage in 1985 because of the former's drug problems and disapproval from Jackson's parents Joseph and Katherine. [13]

In 2001, he recorded a song with Won-G Bruny and Traci Bingham called Nothing's Wrong. The music video, instead of featuring Traci, had James lip-sync both his and Traci's parts of the chorus.

Chico

Chico was 18 when he released his first album in 1985. The first single, "Talk to Me", became a top 40 hit. Chico created neo-soul music under the UMG label Kedar Records, and in 1997 he recorded the album Long Time No See. He is the only family member to date to have achieved certified gold album status as a solo artist.

Kristinia

James' daughter Kristinia was 19 when Island Records released her debut album, Exposed , in July 2009.

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DeBarge was an American musical recording group composed of several members of the DeBarge family. In addition to various solo projects completed by members of the family, DeBarge was active between 1979 and 1989. The group originally consisted of El, Mark, Randy, and Bunny. James joined the group a year later for their 1982 second album. Bobby joined in 1987, following the departures of Bunny and El.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers</span> Soul band from Vancouver, British Columbia

Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers were a Canadian soul band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The group recorded for the Gordy Records division of Motown Records in 1968, where they had a top 30 hit single, "Does Your Mama Know About Me". As a producer and solo artist, Bobby Taylor contributed to several other soul recordings, both inside and outside of Motown. Taylor is most notable for discovering and mentoring The Jackson 5. Tommy Chong was a member of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers before he became famous as a comedian.

Jonathan Arthur "Chico" DeBarge is an American R&B singer and musician. DeBarge was formally a member of the DeBarge family musical group DeBarge. As a solo artist, he scored a 1986 US Top Forty hit with the song "Talk to Me".

Eldra "El" Patrick DeBarge is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He was the focal point and primary lead singer of the family group DeBarge. Popular songs led by El DeBarge include "Time Will Reveal", "Who's Holding Donna Now", "Stay with Me", "All This Love", and "Rhythm of the Night". As a solo artist, he is best known for his unique high tenor register, strong falsetto and hits like "Who's Johnny" and "Love Always". He has also collaborated with artists such as Dionne Warwick, Al Green, Lalah Hathaway, Tone Loc, Babyface, Faith Evans, Quincy Jones, Fourplay, and DJ Quik.

Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge is an American soul singer–songwriter and the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge. She was the lead vocalist on the R&B ballad "A Dream", from the group's In a Special Way album, and is also the co-writer of the group's 1982 breakthrough hit, "I Like It" and the number-one hit, "Time Will Reveal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby DeBarge</span> American singer (1956–1995)

Robert Louis DeBarge Jr. was an American musician. He was the lead singer of the Motown R&B/soul vocal group Switch and was noted for his falsetto vocals. Later on, he served as both mentor and a co-producer of his siblings' band, DeBarge, eventually joining them to fill in for departing members El and Bunny. Personal problems, including substance abuse which eventually led to drug trafficking charges in 1988, plagued DeBarge in later years, taking focus away from his musical career. He contracted HIV in the 1980s, and died of AIDS complications in 1995 at age 39.

Switch is an American R&B/funk band that recorded for the Gordy label in the late 1970s, releasing songs such as "There'll Never Be", "I Call Your Name", and "Love Over & Over Again". Switch influenced bands such as DeBarge, which featured the siblings of Switch band members Bobby and Tommy DeBarge.

<i>Rhythm of the Night</i> (album) 1985 studio album by DeBarge

Rhythm of the Night is the fourth studio album by DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on March 14, 1985. It reached #19 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the R&B Album Chart. The album was also certified Gold by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Like It (DeBarge song)</span> 1982 single by DeBarge

"I Like It" is a R&B/Soul song by American family band DeBarge. Released on August 20, 1982 by Motown Records (Gordy), it was the second single from their second studio album, All This Love (1982).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time Will Reveal (song)</span> 1983 single by DeBarge

"Time Will Reveal" is a single by DeBarge and released in September 1983 as the first single off the group's third album, In a Special Way on the Gordy label. It was also the group's biggest hit prior to the group's 1985 hit, "Rhythm of the Night".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me in a Special Way</span> 1983 single by DeBarge

"Love Me In a Special Way" is a single by DeBarge, released on November 20, 1983. It was the second and final single from their third studio album, In a Special Way on the Gordy label.

<i>All This Love</i> (album) 1982 studio album by DeBarge

All This Love is the second studio album by DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on July 22, 1982.

<i>In a Special Way</i> 1983 studio album by DeBarge

In a Special Way is the third studio album by American R&B group DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on September 23, 1983. It was recorded at Kendun Records in Burbank and Westlake Audio in West Hollywood; written and produced by lead vocalist El DeBarge with additional writing by Mark, James and Bunny DeBarge.

William Randall DeBarge is an American R&B/soul singer and bass guitarist, best known for being one of the original members of the popular Motown singing family group DeBarge. Randy is also known for singing co-lead and penning lyrics with brother El on the group's first hit, "I Like It" (1982).

Mark "Marty" DeBarge is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, drummer, percussionist, and plays a variety of wind instruments, such as the saxophone, trumpet, flugelhorn and flute. He is best known for his work as an original member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge. He is also known for writing the group's popular album track, "Stay With Me", later covered by the likes of The Notorious B.I.G., Ashanti and Mariah Carey.

Etterlene Louise Rodriguez was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and the matriarch of the American R&B/soul vocal group DeBarge. She was the author of Other Side of the Pain, which documented her struggles in her marriage to her children's father and her children's rise to fame and struggles under the spotlight.

<i>This Is My Dream</i> 1980 studio album by Switch

This Is My Dream is the fourth album by R&B group Switch. It was released in 1980. This is also the only album during their tenure with Motown not to feature input from Jermaine Jackson; they produced this album themselves.

<i>Reaching for Tomorrow</i> 1980 studio album by Switch

Reaching for Tomorrow is the third album by R&B/funk band Switch, released in 1980 by Gordy Records. The album reached No. 23 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

<i>Ultimate Collection</i> (DeBarge album) 1997 greatest hits album by DeBarge

The Ultimate Collection is the eighth album released on Motown Records by the group DeBarge. The album is the second compilation of their greatest hits. In addition to the group numbers, it also includes solo singles from El DeBarge and Bunny DeBarge. It also includes a track from Chico DeBarge, who was never part of the family group. Also Motown was able to get the rights to the song "Dance All Night" from their Striped Horse Records album Bad Boys for this collection. The album also contains a Dance remix of the group's popular single, "Rhythm of the Night", while also featuring a more percussive, club mix radio edited version of the group's ballad "The Heart Is Not So Smart", the latter being remixed by John Morales and Sergio Munzibai.

<i>The DeBarges</i> 1981 studio album by The DeBarges

The DeBarges is the debut album of DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on April 6, 1981. It saw limited success and stalled on the charts; the group felt it was not properly promoted. As a result, they revisited The DeBarges by including two songs on their subsequent recordings: "Queen of My Heart" was included on their third album, In a Special Way, while "Share My World" would be included on their fourth, Rhythm of the Night.

References

  1. ↑ "Robert Louis DeBarge". Geni.com. 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  2. ↑ "Arthur DeBarge". Geni.com. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  3. ↑ "Tommy DeBarge from R&B Band Switch Dead at 64". Tmz.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  4. ↑ Stevenson, Mike (2021-10-21). "Tommy DeBarge Cause of Death Tragic: Severe Health Condition Revealed". Music Times. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  5. ↑ Day, Nate (2021-10-21). "Tommy DeBarge of R&B group Switch dead at 64". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  6. ↑ "El DeBarge Speaks Out On The Death Of His Brother Tommy DeBarge". BET. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  7. ↑ Report, AmNews Staff (2021-10-22). "R&B singer Tommy DeBarge dies at 64". New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  8. ↑ Abraham, Mya (2021-10-25). "Tommy DeBarge, Founding Member of '70s R&B Group, Switch, Dead At 64". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  9. 1 2 "After Dark Bobby and Tommy spin it again - DeBarge". Newspapers.com. 1985-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  10. ↑ "Record Review - Jermaine Jackson, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, Switch, others". Newspapers.com. 1980-06-22. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  11. ↑ "To buy or not to buy 'Rarities' disc? Scott Pohl The Beatles Ambrosia, Blood Sweat and Tears, Switch". Newspapers.com. 1980-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  12. ↑ "Music by Monte Young The Bar-Kays, Cameo, Switch, The Zapp Band (Coliseum)". Newspapers.com. 1980-12-08. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  13. ↑ Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004-08-01). Michael Jackson. Pan Macmillan UK. ISBN   9781743032145.
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