Chico, El and Bunny in Grand Rapids

James in 2001

Chico in Joe's "Family" video from last year:




Chico can also be seen in the making of the same video:

[Edited 3/12/09 0:07am]

scriptgirl said:

Come on, Scriptgirl, you know why that is. In almost every article that has been done on Chico it's always mentioned how he served time in prison for drug trafficking. Not only that but some of his songs talks about his trials. Whereas a lot of El's scandals has been covered up. I bet you not too many people know that El was arrested for creating a disturbance after a college student accused him of rape.

El was accused of aggravated assault. In different states, that means different things-not always rape. I don't know what Michigan's legal definition of that is and since this incident was 23 years old, who knows how that definition has changed..

With Chico, I argue in a way that Motown promoted his ex con image cause back in the late 90s, having been an inmate was seen as having street cred

Slenderoni1978 said:

I never heard of El's crazy schitt. Damn I really need to cop those books.

scriptgirl said:

From some of the articles I've read they clearly state he was accused of creating a disturbance after a college student accused him of rape. It doesn't state aggravated assault. Anyway, the point is El's problems with the law is not as known as Chico's because it hasn't been publicized as much.

And even if people know or don't know about El's lengthy criminal record as much as Chico's, who cares? I just want them to get better (if they haven't already) for themselves. Like I said before, I don't care if El never makes a comeback R&B album. Shoot, he can do other things-record a gospel album,become a mentor to aspiring singers, be a judge on the talent show, etc.

pretty boys always got problems.

scriptgirl said:

Aggravated assault is a misdemeanor in The State of Michigan. Which means, an assault, without a weapon, that results in a serious or aggravated injury. If El of was accused of rape, evidence had to be established and a criteria met before a rape charge would and could be handed down. "In theory". [i}What went down between those two, who knows but them.[/i]

I didn't know El had an extensive criminal record til he was arrested last year. Only knew about Chico because I was in South Haven Mich at the time, (90 min.Grand Rapids)and they broke with a 30 second news break saying he and his brother Bobby had been busted for drug dealing.
[Edited 3/12/09 19:51pm]

So basically, El beat that girl down? Is that what you are saying, TD3?

Here is a video from Randy Debarge. His kids and other Debarge grandkids, plus his mom are in it.

scriptgirl said:

If El had beaten the girl down script, he probably would've been charged with Assault with Intent to Maim or Assault or with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm (less than murder) both felonies.

Having said that: Ultimately I would surmise (this was 25 years ago?) he hit the young women with a closed and/or open hand more than once, he attempted/prevented/restrained her from leaving when she wanted too, and he threaten her verbally and physically. He could have been charged with assault and battery (without circumstances) which in The State of Michigan punishable by up to 93 days in jail and no more than $500. Aggravated assault is punishable by up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
[Edited 3/12/09 23:44pm]

Thanks for that info. El pleaded either no contest or guilty to the charges, which leads me to think that the evidence against him was pretty damning. He had to pay a fine and was sentenced 80 hrs of community service. The assault was in 86.

I am pretty sure neither Bunny or her mom talk about El's scandals in their books. From what I understand, the Debarge mother white washes a lot of stuff in her tome-Bunny's book appears to contradict a lot of situations her mom brings up. Also, Bunny's book ends way before the formation of Switch or Debarge, I believe.

scriptgirl said:

She used to have excerpts online in written form and audio. My memory is fuzzy, but I remember some excerpt from the book beginning with her crawling back to Michegan with her tail between her legs, broke, and in the thick of narcotics withdrawl from her pill addiction (after the implosion of Debarge). She used to have a really great testomony she had given in a church regarding this time period as well, it was on her myspace page maybe a year ago.

scriptgirl said:

Interesting. Bunny has said on more than one occasion her family is in denial, how deep those secrets go nobodi knows but it seems to have played a part in their inability to deal with life. Remember when Bunny said during the "Unsung" documentary she and her siblings learn early on, they couldn't depend on momma to protect them. As much as she loves her mother, I think there's some deep down pain, sadness and anger..... . Maybe they all need to write books, maybe between the upteem of them we can get/find some truth.

Ottensen, you are right, my bad.
Bunny recently said she and her mom are estranged because of the book Bunny wrote. Now whether that is because her mom didn't like the idea of another Debarge book being out there or because Bunny said some shit in her book her mom didn't like, I don't know. I know that Chico is very supportive of Bunny and her book. I definitely think El is in denial. Last year, he said he and his whole family were off drugs and then he goes and gets popped for drug use last year.

scriptgirl said:

Bunny and Mama DeBarge are probably estranged because Mama DeBarge didn't like what Bunny put in her book.

Slenderoni1978 said:

what did Bunny say in her book to make mama upset? and why da hell all these debarges on drugs? wut da fuck wrong wit them?

Who started this DeBarge phenomenon here? Out of nowhere, there were 14 threads about a family that does absolutely nothing these days.....Well, nothing relevant.


Why not start a DeBarge.org?

Smooches;)

MsMisha319 said:

[b]


PRINCE.

Right. I'm sure he REALLY cares about them



Smooches;)

MsMisha319 said:

Sometimes life is stranger than fiction.....

If you don't like them, why are you in this thread? And they are still working. Chico's new cd comes out in June.

scriptgirl said:

I'm in this thread because I can be That's the beauty of life.


Smooches;)

Thanks for that pic! That is one I have never seen. James looks high as fuck and Janet seems to be trying to get away from them.
[Edited 3/13/09 20:47pm]

Misha, if you are going to bless us with your presence, I hope you will be respectful to fans of the group.

scriptgirl said:

That was very mature and big of you...I'm used to watching orgers smash each other to smithereens. I guess there is something we old geezers can learn from you younger folk after all

Their first official album ( before "All This Love" )



Side A
1 - What's Your Name - 4:35 ( Bobby DeBarge / Bunny DeBarge / Eldra DeBarge )
2 - Dance The Night Away - 4:50 ( Mark DeBarge / Randy DeBarge )
3 - You're So Gentle, So Kind - 4:40 ( Bunny DeBarge / Eldra DeBarge )
4 - Queen Of My Heart - 3:49 ( Eldra DeBarge )

Side B
1 - Hesitated - 3:42 ( Bunny DeBarge / Eldra DeBarge / Mark DeBarge / Randy DeBarge )
2 - Saving Up (All My Love) - 4:16 ( Bill Gable / Jon Lind )
3 - Share My World - 5:39 ( Bunny DeBarge / Eldra DeBarge )
4 - Strange Romance - 5:00 ( Joe Blocker / Reggie Andrews )

- Arrangements (horns/strings) - Bobby DeBarge / Clare Fischer / Eric Butler
- Arrangements (rhythm) - Bobby DeBarge / Eldra DeBarge / Reggie Andrews
- Arrangements (vocals) - Bobby DeBarge (tracks: A1 to B3) / The Debarges (tracks: A1 to B3) / Joe Blocker (track: B4) / Reggie Andrews (track: B4)
- Artwork (art direction) - Johnny Lee
- Artwork (design) - Ginny Livingston
- Backing Vocals - The Debarges
- Bass - Eddie Watkins / Nathan East / Randy DeBarge
- Co-producers - Bobby DeBarge (track: A4) / Bunny DeBarge / Eldra DeBarge
- Drums - Harvey Mason / Leon "Ndugu" Chancler / Ollie E. Brown
- Electric Piano (Fender Rhodes) - Eldra DeBarge
- Engineer - Bobby Brooks
- Engineer (assistant) - Michael Johnson
- Guitar - Charles J. Fearing / Paul M. Jackson, Jr.
- Keyboards - Bobby DeBarge / Larry Von Nash / Reggie Andrews
- Percussion - Mark DeBarge
- Photography - Matthew Rolston
- Producer - Bobby DeBarge
- Programmed By (synthesizer) - Michael Boddicker / Todd Cochran
- Vocals - Bunny DeBarge

- Originally released: 4/22/81
- Recorded & Mixed @ Motown/Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studios/Hollywood/CA
- Distributed in USA by MCA Distributing, Inc.

© ℗ 1981 Motown Record Corporation



www.discogs.com/DeBarges-...se/1605982