DeBarge

DeBarge was an American R&B and soul music group. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the group is named for their shared surname, and included the brothers Mark, James, Randy, and Eldra (or "El"), and their sister Bunny. Younger siblings Chico, Darryl, and Carol DeBarge were also singers (though not with the group), with Chico later becoming a solo star in his own right. The DeBarges, of African-American/French-Canadian descent, signed with the Motown label in the 1970s, and became one of their few successful acts during the 1980s.

History

Elder DeBarge siblings Tommy and Bobby formed a group called Switch in 1975, along with Jody Sims, Greg Williams, Phillip Ingram and Eddie Fuellen. They were discovered by Motown performer Jermaine Jackson, and signed to the Motown label in 1977. Switch recorded several hits for Motown's Gordy label, including "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name". In 1979, Tommy and Bobby helped Eldra, Mark, James, Randy, and Bunny receive a recording contract with Motown as well.

Originally known as "The DeBarges", the group issued its self-titled debut album in 1981, which was a commercial disappointment. The next year saw the release of All This Love, which was a success, reaching gold-selling status. "I Like It" and "All This Love" were the major hits from this album, with the former single reaching #1 on the US R&B charts. El DeBarge's verse from the chorus ("I like the way you comb your hair/and I like the stylish clothes you wear") became an oft-repeated line in hip hop and R&B songs during the following two decades.

1983 saw the release of In a Special Way, another gold album for DeBarge, featuring the hits "Be My Lady", "In A Special Way" (another US #1 R&B hit), "Time Will Reveal" also done by Boyz ll Men acapella in 2004, "Stay With Me" and "A Dream". The final section of "Stay With Me" later became one of the most famous samples in hip-hop and R&B, with The Notorious B.I.G. ("One More Chance [Remix]"), Mary J. Blige ("Don't Go"), and Ashanti ("Foolish") all making use of the sample for their own hit singles.

DeBarge opened for R&B singer-songwriter Luther Vandross on his 1984 tour. The same year, James DeBarge married Jermaine Jackson's 18-year-old sister Janet Jackson; the marriage was annulled shortly afterward.

In 1985, DeBarge had its biggest hit with the Diane Warren-penned "Rhythm of the Night", the main single from both the gold Rhythm of the Night album and the Motown/Tri-Star Pictures motion picture The Last Dragon. Other hit singles from Rhythm of the Night included "Who's Holding Donna Now?" and "You Wear it Well", which he performed with the cast of The Facts of Life during a guest appearance on the show as himself.

After the release of a 1986 greatest hits LP, El DeBarge left the group for a solo career. The final DeBarge album, 1987's Bad Boys, featured Bobby and Tommy added to the lineup, but Bunny left the group the same year. DeBarge finally disbanded in 1989, though the members would continue to perform together on occasion until Bobby's death from complications resulting from AIDS in 1995. Younger brother Chico DeBarge, although never a member of DeBarge, became an R&B solo star during the latter half of the 1990s. By 2000, all of the DeBarges had moved from R&B to gospel music. He also appeared on Jim Jones' song "Spanish Fly".

Discography

Albums

• 1981: The DeBarges
• 1982: All This Love
• 1983: In a Special Way
• 1985: Rhythm of the Night
• 1986: Greatest Hits
• 1987: Bad Boys
• 2006: Dance all Night

Compilations

• 1997: The Ultimate Collection
• 2000: The 20th Century Masters - The Millinnium Collection
• 2002: A Winning Combination - Switch and DeBarge

Singles

• 1982: "Stop! Don't Tease Me" (R&B #46)
• 1983: "All This Love" (US #17, R&B #5)
• 1983: "I Like It" (US #31, R&B #2)
• 1983: "Time Will Reveal" (US #18, R&B #1)
• 1984: "Love Me in a Special Way" (US #45, R&B #11)
• 1985: "Rhythm of the Night" (US #3, R&B #1, UK #4)
• 1985: "Who's Holding Donna Now?" (US #6, R&B #2, UK #83)
• 1985: "The Heart Is Not So Smart"
• 1987: "Dance All Night" (US #33)

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External Links

• DeBarge biography and updates at Soul Tracks