El DeBarge
Vorlage:Infobox musical artist
Eldra Patrick DeBarge (born June 4, 1961 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an American R&B and soul falsetto singer, the focal point and lead singer of the DeBarge family group throughout the early 1980s. He is currently married to Monique DeBarge, but the two are separated.
Career
After founding the group in 1978, the family was discovered by Jermaine Jackson, who signed them and El's brothers' group, Switch, to Motown. While Switch went on to some success during the late 1970s, in 1981 DeBarge released their album entitled "The DeBarges," which produced one single, "What's Your Name." The album was not considered a success and quickly fell into obscurity. El was a natural in the role of lead singer for the group. The follow up from their debut album was the acclaimed "All this Love," which gave DeBarge major chart success with singles "Stop!Dont Tease Me," the perennial "I Like It," and the title track. One year later, 1983, DeBarge's third album, "In A Special Way," garnered yet more success for the group. El wrote and sang most of the songs. The album produced the hit singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me In A Special Way."
1985 saw the release of the album "Rhythm Of The Night" which produced hits "The Heart Is Not So Smart," "Who's Holding Donna Now," "You Wear It Well," and the massively successful "Rhythm Of The Night." This track topped the R&B charts, reached #3 in the U.S., and #4 in the U.K.
After the commercial pop success of the album "Rhythm of the Night," El left the group in 1986 to begin a solo career. The same year, El released his self-titled debut solo album. "Who's Johnny" was the first single released and was featured in the movie "Short Circuit." The single was a success. Other singles from this album were "Someone" and the laid-back, very lovely ballad "Love Always." A break in El's career kept him from the spotlight until 1989 when he was back with his second solo album, "Gemini." This marked El's final Motown release. "Real Love" was a single, as well as "Broken Dreams." El signed with Warner Brothers and released his third solo album, "In The Storm." "You Know What I Like," "My Heart Belongs To You," and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "After The Dance" were singles. Two years later, in 1994, El collaborated with hit producer Babyface and released his fourth and most recent solo album "Heart, Mind and Soul." "Can't Get Enough", "Slide," and a duet with Babyface, "Where Is My Love," were singles.
El teamed up with Quincy Jones to create the massively successful collaboration, "The Secret Garden," a single from 1990 which also featured Barry White, Al B. Sure!, and James Ingram on vocals. In 1998, El worked with DJ Quik for the single "Hand In Hand."
Trivia
- DeBarge's "Stay With Me" is sampled on The Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance" remix (feat. Biggie's eventual wife Faith Evans), and Ashanti's song "Foolish", as well as Ne-Yo's "Stay," the 2pac song I Ain't Mad at Cha"and Mary J. Blige did a rendition of DeBarge's music.
- In the Ying Yang Twins' "Bedroom Boom" (which featured Avant), his song "All This Love" is referenced: All this love is waiting for you, like I'm El DeBarge
- DeBarge had a hit with "Who's Johnny?", the main theme of the film, Short Circuit. The music video for the song reflected its use in the movie, depicting a mock trial for characters Stephanie Speck and Newton Crosby (Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg, respectively) for the theft of the movie's main character, Johnny 5, with scenes from the movie being shown as evidence.
- The music video to DeBarge's hit single, "Rhythm Of The Night", was featured in the 1985 martial arts film, The Last Dragon. Actress Phylicia Rashad also appears in the video.
- El appeared in an episode of "Facts of Life" and sang "You Wear it Well."
Legal Troubles
El DeBarge was arrested in Los Angeles County on August 26, 2007 on charges of domestic violence. The story is currently developing.
Solo albums
(1986) El DeBarge
(1989) Gemini
(1992) In The Storm
(1994) Heart, Mind and Soul
(2003) Ultimate Collection
Songs
El DeBarge: 1. "Who's Johnny" 2. "Secrets Of The Night" 3. "I Wanna Hear It From My Heart" 4. "Someone" 5. "When Love Has Gone Away" 6. "Private Line" 7. "Love Always" 8. "Lost Without Her Love" 9. "Thrill Of The Chase" 10. "Don't Say It's Over"
Gemini: 1. "Real Love" 2. "Cross My Heart" 3. "Somebody Loves You" 4. "Broken Dreams" 5. "Broken Dreams (reprise)" 6. "Turn The Page" 7. "After You" 8. "Love Life" 9. "Broken Dreams (Think About It)" 10. "Make You Mine"
In The Storm: 1. "Elmo Funk (prelude)" 2. "Fast Lane" 3. "After The Dance" 4. "My Heart Belongs To You" 5. "Cry (interlude)" 6. "Love Me Tonight" 7. "Sincerely Yours(interlude)" 8. "You Know What I Like" 9. "Tip O My Tongue" 10. "Soul Searchin' (prelude)" 11. "In The Storm" 12. "And Then I Wrote(interlude)" 13. "Thick" 14. "Another Chance" 15. "Leggs" 16. "Elmo Funk (interlude)" 17. "You Turn Me On" 18. "Prelude To Midnight" 19. "Special"
Heart, Mind and Soul: 1. "Where You Are" 2. "Can't Get Enough" 3. "Where Is My Love" 4. "You Got The Love I Want" 5. "Its Got To Be Real" 6. "Slide" 7. "I'll Be There" 8. "Special Lady" 9. "Starlight, Moonlight, Candlelight" 10. "You Are My Dream" 11. "Heart, Mind and Soul"
Ultimate Collection 1. "All This Love" 2. "Love Me In A Special Way" 3. "Stay With Me" 4. "Who's Johny" 5. "Love Always" 6. "Lost Without Her Love" 7. "Somebody Loves You" 8. "Broken Dreams" 9. "Turn The Page" 10. "You know What I like" 11. "Side" 12. "Heart, Mind + Soul" 13. "I'm Yours" 14. "After The Dance" 15. "Dindi" 16. "Reach Out For Me"