Gerald Levert
A contemporary soul singer whose smooth yet robust vocals brought energy and emotion to even his most serene recordings, Gerald LeVert grew up in the shadows of his father, Eddie LeVert, Sr., of the O'Jays. As a child, his father's status in the music industry nurtured and helped prepare Gerald for his prosperous music career as a writer, arranger, producer, and performer. As Gerald was entering his adulthood, he, good friend Marc Gordon, and his brother Sean formed the trio LeVert. They recorded their first single, entitled "I'm Still," on the independent Tempre label. Even though Gerald was still maturing as a vocalist, his powerful, stirring delivery on the single is worthy of praise. Peaking on the Billboard R&B charts at number 70, it survived for eight weeks.
Nonetheless, that single set up a deal with Atlantic Records the following year, and it could not have been a better move. Initially, Gerald recorded with the group, scoring five number one singles, seven Top Ten singles, and four Top 20 singles on the Billboard R&B charts, including the Reggie and Vincent Calloway-written and produced number one single "Casanova," which also peaked at number four on the Billboard pop charts. He also managed to make room for a duet with labelmate Miki Howard, recording the number four single "That's What Love Is." In 1991, Gerald released his solo debut album, Private Line. The title track spawned his first number one single as a solo artist on the Billboard R&B charts. The following year, Gerald came back with a duet with his father and scored another number one single with "Baby Hold on to Me" and the number three single "School Me," reminiscent of Babyface's "Whip Appeal." However, in the midst of all his success, Gerald's only major pop appeal remained the "Casanova" single.
Pop producer David Foster presented a pop tune to Gerald, and "I Swear" became a number one and Top 20 hit on the pop and R&B charts, respectively. Subsequently, Gerald returned to Foster's stable to record "I'd Give Anything," also produced by Foster. Formerly a number four country hit for Boy Howdy under the title "She'd Give Anything," Gerald's version managed a pop Top 30 hit. Intended for crossover appeal, the single was actually a bigger hit on the R&B charts, peaking at number four and reinforcing Gerald's major following among R&B music lovers.
In addition to his impressive string of hits, the Cleveland, OH, native rendered his services as songwriter, vocalist, and producer to many artists, such as the O'Jays, Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Troop, Teddy Pendergrass, the Winans, Patti Labelle, Rude Boys, and on and on. In 1997, Gerald added another dimension to his prosperous career; he joined forces with R&B vocalists Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill under the acronym LSG, spawning the hit single "My Body." As a solo act, he released Love & Consequences the year following, returning in 1999 with G. He continued to be extremely productive throughout the early 2000s, releasing the albums Gerald's World, G Spot, Stroke of Genius, and Do I Speak for the World before 2005. Shortly after completing a personal memoir with his father, as well as another album, Levert died on November 10, 2006, at the age of 40. By mistake, he had taken a lethal combination of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The album he had just completed, In My Songs, was released a day before Valentine's Day 2007. Something to Talk About, recorded with his father, followed that June.
© Craig Lytle /TiVo
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Discographie
14 album(s) • Trié par Meilleures ventes
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The Best of Gerald Levert
R&B - Paru chez Rhino Atlantic le 29 août 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Do I Speak for the World
R&B - Paru chez Atlantic Records le 22 nov. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Love & Consequences
R&B - Paru chez Atlantic Records le 1 juin 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Gerald's World
R&B - Paru chez Atlantic Records - ATG le 18 sept. 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In My Songs (iTunes Exclusive)
R&B - Paru chez Atlantic Records le 13 févr. 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Made to Love Ya
Divers - Paru chez Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group le 13 mars 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
U Got That Love (Call It a Night) (Radio Edit)
R&B - Paru chez Elektra - EEG le 26 août 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo