My band Spellbound played lots of gigs with his band Levert & the O'Jays back in the 80's before he hit it big. He even tried to take my woman! (he didn't know she was my lady at the time.) Goodbye my friend.

PurpleCharm said:

I thought they were talking about the father, I never knew it was the son. That's even sadder.

He was ONLY 40??? Wow! He was badass on that "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" documentary. Got up and sang with the Funk Brothers....he was the highlight of that concert portion. RIP.

OH MY GOD, I can't take this. Ed Bradley yesterday, now Gerald Levert

He had a great voice, DAMN he was too young!!!

I am utterly shocked. Two good people gone in one week: Ed Bradley and now Gerald Levert. Both too young.

I do have one specific happy memory of Gerald Levert. The night that my husband and I got engaged, New Year's Eve 1999, we ran into Gerald at the hotel where we were staying here in Detroit. My husband was star-struck, as this picture shows.



Rest in Peace, Gerald.


[Edited 11/10/06 15:10pm]

PurpleCharm said:

I heard the bad news on the radio today from work.

Damn! A heartattack at age 40.

And it makes me more piss that the list of artists I grew up listening to are all dying out so soon (BTW, rest in peace to the following):

Barry White
Luther Vandross
Rick James
Gerald Levert

Click below 2 watch a beautiful performance of Gerald singing with Patti
a tribute to Luther last year.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...CZx1sipVjs
[Edited 11/10/06 14:29pm]

CalhounSq said:

You know celebs usually go in 3's. Who's next?

Awww man, That's terrible news. Poor Eddie and the family. I'm praying right now for the family. R.I.P Gerald.

DAMN!!!!! ANOTHER LEGEND!!!!! REST IN PEACE, MY MAN. ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT R&B ARTISTS OF OUR TIME, AS WELL AS COMPOSER & PRODUCER.

MOST DEFINITELY ONE OF R&B'S "BRIGHT SPOTS" DURING THE LATE 80's/EARLY 90's AND ON & ON & ON.

JAM/LEWIS
L.A./BABYFACE
GERALD LeVERT


MAN.....THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!!!

I was never a fan but it is definately sad news.

I'm tired of all these celebrities dying young....and at age 40! Hell, that's only one year older than I am.

http://freep.com/apps/pbc...9/61110018

By KELLEY L. CARTER

FREE PRESS MUSIC WRITER
R&B singer Gerald Levert cut his writing chops on Detroit's west side.
He spent his summers in the city — his grandparents lived on Prairie and Seven Mile Roads — and instead of partying with the bad boys, he wrote his first songs.

It was a great start for an R&B singer, songwriter and producer who ultimately went on to gain songwriting acclaim, crafting works for some of the best crooners in the business.

Earlier today, at age 40, Gerald Levert died.

His record label, Atlantic, confirmed that the Cleveland-born singer died of a heart attack at his home in Ohio.

“All of us at Atlantic are shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death,” reads a statement released by Atlantic. “He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer.”

Levert garnered national acclaim as a member of the group “Levert,” which was comprised of his brother Sean and friend Marc Gordon. Among others, they recorded the No. 1 R&B/No. 5 pop hit “Casanova” in 1987, followed by three more R&B chart-toppers, “Addicted to You,” “Just Coolin’,” which featured rapper Heavy D and “Baby I’m Ready” in 1991.

In 1991, Levert went solo, releasing “Private Line,” which grabbed the No. 1 R&B spot that year. He earned a second No. 1 R&B single with “Baby Hold On To Me,” the next year.

In addition to his group and solo work, Levert produced and wrote for his father’s legendary group, the O’Jays and also for performers including Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, the Winans and Patti Labelle.
“This is terrible,” said Pastor Marvin Winans, who created music with Levert for his group’s 1994 album “All Out.” “He was a great voice and a great talent. And my condolences go out to Eddie and his brothers and the Levert family.”

Even though Levert called the Atlanta and Cleveland area home, he maintained ties to Detroit. A regular stop for the performer was Shantinique Music, a mom-and-pop music shop on the east side.

The news hit co-owner Josie Beal hard, she and Levert’s Uncle Reggie, who still lives in Detroit, went to Kettering High School together. She also was a fan of his music. The last time Levert was in her shop, he had his dad Eddie Levert Sr., boxer Tommy Hearns and Emmanuel Steward in tow with him.
“He was an icon,” Beal said. “I was just saying all of the real singers are gone now. Gerald Levert. Luther Vandross. Barry White. Who do we have to look up to now? His dad is still with us now. As long as Eddie is still here, Gerald will be here in our hearts. The voice is still there.”

On one of his later projects, 2004’s “Do I Speak For The World,” Levert changed his tune slightly, straying away from the sexy vocals that brought him much pop music acclaim in the 80s. His album, “Do I Speak For The World,” was a way to address social issues that he’d never allowed himself to sing about before.
“It’s a socially conscious thing,” he said then to the Free Press of the album. “There are some love songs, but not the sex-you-down-type songs. It’s more love relationship, break up and getting back together type songs. I have some religion stuff and some state-of-the world type stuff too.

“Folks are kind of tripping out on it and that’s what I wanted. I wanted the shock factor. The war and the president and the school systems — all these different things that are happening that I think needed to be addressed and I’m talking about it. It’ a departure from what I would do mainly on a record. It’s time,” he said.
“… And I’m willing to take that chance right now in my career and my life.”

Contact KELLEY L. CARTER at 313-222-8854 or carter@freepress.com.


Another casualty of obesity/heart disease.
[Edited 11/10/06 14:47pm]

Don't forget June Pointer.

vainandy said:

Aaliyah


I didn't know Gerald had 4 children
they just stated that on the radio.
They are playing a tribute on our local
station.


Prince, don't forget to play one of his songs tonight.
[Edited 11/10/06 14:52pm]

karmatornado said:

stfu you insensitive s.o.b.


RIP Gerald

Adisa said:

Jack Palance died today

guitarslinger44 said:

I forgot about that! I'll be sure to watch that again. . .

iconsweat said:

trippy.

What the hell... this is just too much I'm still coping with the loss of Ed Bradley now Gerald...y'all give the ones you love their flowers now while they can still smell them... tell them you love them everyday because tomorrow is not promised to any of us and they can’t hear you when they’re gone.

vainandy said:

Check.

RosesRred said:

Check.

iconsweat said:

Yep, that makes three...

iconsweat said:

Yes but by saying that there are several skinny stars living unhealthy life styles you also made an aside comment. I'm sorry, but its true,,, america has gotten way overweight! Way too many premature deaths due to its side effects. But like I said, hes an awesome guy, and all should take this as an example of why you should at least get moderate excercise!

karmatornado said:

U were right Karma. Good point. Next time though, choose your words a little better. "Size of a big rig" is just plain insensitive

That's because music is too damn slow these days to shake the fat off their asses.