El DeBarge

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Biography

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Eldra Patrick DeBarge was born the fifth of eight brothers and sixth of ten DeBarge family members. In 1972, newly divorced from her abusive husband, El’s mother Etterlene moved her children from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Like his siblings, El participated in the local church choir and was labeled a child prodigy thanks to his skills as a vocalist and a keyboardist and years of private study with music educator Ricky Callier. Later, he, Mark, Randy and Bunny formed DeBarge in 1979 (James joined three years later just before his high school graduation). In 1981 DeBarge released their album 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.

In 1982, DeBarge finally found success with their acclaimed second album, All This Love, which gave DeBarge major chart success with singles “Stop! Don’t Tease Me,” the perennial “I Like It,” and the title track. In 1983, DeBarge’s third album, In a Special Way garnered yet more success for the group. El and Bunny wrote most of the songs with El most often singing leads. The album produced the hit singles “Time Will Reveal” and “Love Me in a Special Way.”

In 1985, the group released their fourth 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 title track, which was their second single to top the R&B charts, reached #3 in the U.S., and #4 in the U.K.
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  • BarneyJWY

    I'm shocked his plays are so low. He may not be that known to the mainstream, but as an R&B artist, he has a decent amount of status in that genre.

    7 Feb 2:07pm Reply

  • mackcee

    everyone needs a second chance r third

    20 Dec 2012 Reply

  • TheBrandyBoy

    Second Chance ♥

    25 Jul 2012 Reply

  • phyllisjmejia

    Hi,Follow El DeBarges' New Twitter Account @IamElDeBarge For The Latest Info On Live Performances,New Music and Tweets From Mr.DeBarge. Thank You!

    19 Jul 2012 Reply

  • racqueljuly

    PLEASE DON'T READ THIS. YOU WILL BE KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE.TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. NOW YOU'VE STARTED READING THIS. DON'T STOP. THIS IS SO FREAKY. 1. say your name 10 times 2. say your mom's name 5 times 3. say your crushes name 3 times 4. paste this to 4 other songs. if you do this, your crush will kiss you on the nearest Friday. but if you read this and do not paste this, then you will have very bad luck. SEND THIS TO 5 SONGS IN 143 MINUTES. WHEN YOU'RE DONE PRESS F6 AND YOUR CRUSH'S NAME WILL APPEAR IN BIG LETTERS ON THE SCREEN. THIS IS SO FREAKY BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORK

    28 Feb 2012 Reply

  • 2Serenity

    Was El at The Grammys. I could have sworn that I saw him in the audience! Z2 years ago I finally met him! I was in bliss. I let him know that I appreciated him smiling at me when I was a kid. Memories. His voice!!

    15 Feb 2012 Reply

  • gendervariant

    The Red Carpet Experience (also w/ Robin Thicke, Ginuwine, Faith Evans, and newcomer Sydney Nycole, and a celebrity DJ set from Jermaine Dupri) Craneway Pavilion Richmond, CA September 24, 2011 - 6:30PM-2AM Ticket info here: http://www.airbornetickets.com/EventDetail/466/1

    3 Sep 2011 Reply

  • gendervariant

    For some reason last.fm won't let me add the event, but he will be in Atlanta for Labor Day weekend with Carl Thomas, Idris Elba and The Isley Brothers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-YEFBAtgBI

    24 Aug 2011 Reply

  • btumpe

    L'ove the entire CD. I'm just loving RnB!!!! I really missed it on the radio, now it"s time to take over.....let's go!!!!

    29 Apr 2011 Reply

  • complexlogix

    so sexy

    5 Apr 2011 Reply

  • TwistedLogic20

    LAY WITH YOU!! THE BOMB!!!

    14 Mar 2011 Reply

  • vladimirtsoi

    좋아

    20 Feb 2011 Reply

  • SFlemming

    Pulling for you brother.

    18 Feb 2011 Reply

  • 2Serenity

    Pray for El.............You are loved!! <EL> xxox

    16 Feb 2011 Reply

  • martynnnn

    His New Album Is Amazing!!!! <3 [2]

    12 Dec 2010 Reply

  • watulove

    I'm so glad he's back and putting out great music again.

    10 Dec 2010 Reply

  • shaq91

    His New Album Is Amazing!!!! <3

    1 Dec 2010 Reply

  • PammieY

    Wow, Loving it..when I see you !!! I'll always remember when u tried to Pull me on your float in 1977 Hollywood Parade... Still Loving You Boy !! Lol.. Stay Clean and True 2 U...

    26 Nov 2010 Reply

  • Claudiar71

    ♥

    11 Nov 2010 Reply

  • iRoqk

    Now I'm a younging when it comes to him, but I saw him in concert last night, and he performed as if he was still in his early 20's lol, @Propheticsinger he's 49.

    8 Oct 2010 Reply
    • All 39 shouts

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