Gregory Abbott
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Gregory Abbott | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gregory Joel Abbott |
| Born | April 2, 1954 New York City, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | gregoryabbott |
Gregory Joel Abbott (born April 2, 1954)[1] is an American singer, musician, composer and producer. Although he continues to record to date, he is best known for his singles in the mid-1980s including his platinum single, "Shake You Down", from his 1986 debut album.
Biography
Early life
Abbott was born in Harlem, New York City, New York, United States.[2] Abbott's parents came from Venezuela and Antigua. During his early years, Abbott's mother taught him how to play piano and encouraged him to develop vocally. Before his career as a musician, Abbott studied psychology at University of California, Berkeley, and creative writing at Stanford; where he won a Wallace Stegner fellowship. Abbott taught English at University of California, Berkeley.
Teaching career
Abbott was a professor of English.[3]
Music career
One of Abbott's first opportunities in his studio was an album for an independent record label, which gave him the opportunity to do a duet with Whitney Houston. Continuing on, Abbott produced for the group EQ on Atlantic Records. In 1986, Abbott released his first solo album, Shake You Down. The title track for the album was a success, going platinum and topping the Billboard Hot 100.[2] The album's second single, "I Got The Feelin’ (It's Over)", reached Number 5 on the R&B chart. With the strength of its singles, the album propelled to platinum status and earned Abbott several awards.
Internationally, Abbott carried much success, winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival. The title track of his second album, "I'll Prove It To You" which was released in 1988, was featured on a Japanese movie soundtrack. In Belgium, he performed with Princess Stephanie of Monaco.[4] Over the years much of his new music has been released via singles on his own Mojo Man Entertainment label. Abbott has continued with his R&B sound but, in addition, he has added a Caribbean/soul feel as well.[citation needed] In 2011, an album entitled Drop Your Mask was released; and Abbott continues to release new singles a few times a year.[5]
Personal life
Abbott was married to American singer Freda Payne[6] from 1976 until 1979. Payne and Abbott had a son, Gregory Abbott, Jr., who was born on September 19, 1977, Payne's 35th birthday.[7] In 1979, it was reported that his wife Payne was suing for divorce.[3]
Discography
Albums
- 1986 – Shake You Down (Columbia Records)
- 1988 – I'll Prove It to You (Columbia Records)
- 1996 – One World! (Musik International)
- 1998 – Super Hits (Legacy Recordings)
- 2002 – Eyes, Whispers, Rhythm, Sex... (Musik International)
- 2005 – Dancing the Inner Realm... (Musik International-Mojo Man)
- 2006 – Rhyme and Reason
- 2011 – Anniversary Edition of "Shake You Down" (Friday Music)
- 2012 – "Drop Your Mask"
Singles
Major singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B |
UK[8] | US | ||
| 1986 | "Shake You Down" | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| "I Got The Feelin' (It's Over)" | 5 | - | 56 | |
Other singles
- 1988 – "I'll Prove It To You"
- 1988 – "Let Me Be Your Hero"
- 1994 – "Handyman"
- 1994 – "Do The Caribbean"
- 2002 – "Sexual"
- 2003 – "Three Little Birds" Duet with Phoebe Snow
- 2007 – "Middle of Harlem"
- 2007 – "Shake You Down" (Re-Make)
- 2009 – "Baby Mama"
- 2011 – "Soul Food"
- 2011 – "Eyes"
- 2012 – "Island Woman"
- 2012 – "Sugar Sugar"
- 2013 – "Rock You Gently"
- 2014 – "Every Little Step"
- 2014 – "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
- 2015 – "How Deep Is Your Love"
- 2015 – "Stir It Up"
- 2016 – "When Something is Wrong With My Baby"
- 2017 – "Deja Vu"
- 2017 – "On and On"
- 2018 – "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)"
- 2019 – "My Heart Has Found a Home"
References
- ^ "Biography". Gregoryabbott.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 8/9. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
- ^ a b Jet, 15 February 1979 - p. 52, Mr. & Mrs. Freda Payne Sues For Divorce; Asks $1 A Month Alimony
- ^ "About Gregorny Abbott". Mtv.com.
- ^ "Singer Gregory Abbott Biography". Gregoryabbott.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ Canyon News, April 18, 2015 - Gregory Abbott, A Singing Force By Michael
- ^ "Freda Payne Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. April 14, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ Guinness British Hit Singles (13th ed.), London, UK: Guinness World Records Ltd, 2000, p. 69, ISBN 0-85112-111-X
External links
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1954 births
- Living people
- African-American male singers
- American male singer-songwriters
- American male singers
- American soul singers
- Columbia Records artists
- Singers from New York City
- University of California, Berkeley alumni
- Musicians from Berkeley, California
- Songwriters from New York (state)
- Songwriters from California
- Stanford University alumni
- University of California, Berkeley faculty
- African-American academics
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American singers
- 20th-century male singers
- 21st-century male singers