One of the famous lead singer of the Motown R&B/soul vocal group Switch as well as a musician is named for Bobby DeBarge. He was noted for his impressive falsetto vocals. He began playing in local bands, along with his younger brother Tommy. He contracted HIV in the 1980s, and died of AIDS complications in 1995, at age 39. He was a very talented singer.
Lloyd Talks 'The Bobby DeBarge Story': 'It's About Bobby's Immense Talent and the Power of Love'
TV One brings Black Music Month 2019 to a dramatic close with The Bobby DeBarge Story. The original film, premiering Saturday night (June 29, 8 p.m. ET), tells the story of the former lead singer of Gordy/Motown Records’ late ‘70s R&B/funk band Switch. Switch is best known for the top 10 hits “There’ll Never Be,” “I Call Your Name” and “Love Over & Over Again.” But beyond the hits, DeBarge was plagued by a dysfunctional childhood, drugs and other personal struggles outlined in the film, which also follows the concurrent rise of the singer-songwriter’s younger siblings as the popular Motown R&B/pop group DeBarge. The Bobby DeBarge Story, directed by radio/TV personality Russ Parr, stars Roshon Fegan (Greenleaf) as Bobby. Additional cast members include Grammy Award winner Big Boi as Berry Gordy, Tyra Ferrell (Boyz in the Hood) as matriarch Etterlene DeBarge, actor Blue Kimble as Switch member/Bobby sibling Tommy DeBarge and recording artists Lloyd and Adrian Marcel as Switch member Gregory Williams and James DeBarge, respectively.
When and Where was Bobby DeBarge born?
Bobby DeBarge was born on 5th March 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, the USA. His nationality is American and his ethnicity is Mixed. His religion is Christian.
Parents (Childhood) of Bobby DeBarge
DeBarge was born to Etterlene (nee Abney) and Army soldier Robert DeBarge, Sr. in Detroit. He blamed an unhappy childhood on his father's abusiveness. He was introduced to heroin, which would become his lifelong addiction at the small age of 15. He also has a brother named Tommy.
When and Where did Bobby DeBarge die?
On 16th August 1995 at the age of 39, Bobby left this world in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the USA. He is buried in Garfield Park Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
What was the birth name of Bobby DeBarge?
Robert Louis DeBarge Jr. is his birth name.
Career of Bobby DeBarge
- Bobby DeBarge teamed up with fellow Grand Rapids musician Gregory Williams and in the year 1975, the duo began a group with several other Midwestern musicians and successfully auditioned for Barry White's background group, White Heat, helping to produce and release their debut album that year.
- White dropped all but one musician from the band due to tax issues in 1976.
- The group recorded an album in 1976 under the name "Hot Ice", entitled "Pall Mall Groove".
- It includes DeBarge's incredible singing and piano performance on his composition, "Please Don't Let Me Go," released in 1977 on Polydor/Germany, in 1979 in the USA/Canada as SMASH on Source Records/MCA, and in 2005 on Burndsman Records worldwide.
- The band released their debut album in 1978 which featured production from Jermaine Jackson, reached gold status thanks to "There'll Never Be," which was solely written by DeBarge, and also featured a favorite ballad of theirs, "I Want to Be Closer".
- The following year, the group hit gold again with Switch II, another Jermaine Jackson-produced album, which included another DeBarge-penned hit, "I Call Your Name."
- In the year 1980, the group had their third gold-selling album, This Is My Dream.
- He suddenly left the group after Motown offered him a solo recording deal, later finalized in 1983.
- He then co-produced their debut album, and co-wrote with younger brother El the song, "Queen of My Heart".
- Later, he recorded the album Bad Boys.
- Later, his career halted in 1988 after he was convicted on drug trafficking charges in Grand Rapids and was sentenced to five years in prison.
- He returned to performing and recording, all the while struggling with AIDS, which he contracted sometime in the late 1980s prior to his prison sentence.
- He finished his last musical work, It's Not Over, but was not alive when the album was distributed independently.
Who is the wife of Bobby DeBarge?
Bobby DeBarge is a married person. By 1984, he had split from Jackson and later married Teri, with whom he would have two children, Christian and Bobby III.
How much was the net worth of Bobby DeBarge?
The exact net worth, as well as the salary of this famous singer, has not been revealed yet but it will be added soon once we get information about it.
Body Measurements (Height, Weight) of Bobby DeBarge
Bobby DeBarge was a very handsome singer with a charming smile on his lips attracting a lot of followers towards him. His body measurements including his height, weight and more will be added soon.
