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The Unforgettable Music Of Bobby Debarge, R&B Legend

williamfaulkner December 02, 2024

The Unforgettable Music Of Bobby Debarge, R&B Legend

Who was Bobby DeBarge?

Bobby DeBarge was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was a founding member of the popular R&B/soul group Switch, and later had a successful solo career.

DeBarge was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 18, 1956. He began singing in church at a young age, and by the time he was a teenager, he was performing in local talent shows. In 1975, he co-founded Switch with his brothers Tommy and Bunny DeBarge. The group released a number of hit songs, including "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name."
DeBarge left Switch in 1980 to pursue a solo career. He released his debut album, "Bobby DeBarge," in 1983. The album was a commercial success, and it spawned the hit singles "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love." DeBarge continued to release music throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but he never achieved the same level of success as he did with Switch.
DeBarge struggled with drug addiction for much of his life. He was arrested several times for drug-related offenses, and he served time in prison. He died of AIDS-related complications on August 16, 1995, at the age of 39.
Despite his personal struggles, DeBarge was a talented singer and songwriter. He left behind a legacy of hit songs that continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Personal details and bio data of Bobby DeBarge:

Name:	Bobby DeBarge
Born:	March 18, 1956, Detroit, Michigan
Died:	August 16, 1995, Los Angeles, California
Genres:	R&B, soul, pop
Occupation:	Singer, songwriter, musician
Years active:	19751995
Labels:	Motown, Gordy, Atlantic

Bobby DeBarge

Bobby DeBarge was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was a founding member of the popular R&B/soul group Switch, and later had a successful solo career.

Singer
Songwriter
Musician
Switch
Solo career
Hits

DeBarge was a talented singer with a smooth, soulful voice. He was also a gifted songwriter, and he wrote many of Switch's biggest hits, including "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name." DeBarge's solo career was also successful, and he had several hit singles, including "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love." DeBarge was a major influence on the R&B/soul music of the 1970s and 1980s, and his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

1. Singer

Bobby DeBarge was a singer, songwriter, and musician. He was a founding member of the popular R&B/soul group Switch, and later had a successful solo career.

Vocal range
DeBarge had a wide vocal range, which allowed him to sing both high and low notes with ease. He was also a gifted falsetto singer.
Vocal style
DeBarge's vocal style was smooth and soulful. He often used melisma and other vocal techniques to create a unique and expressive sound.
Songwriting
DeBarge was also a talented songwriter. He wrote many of Switch's biggest hits, including "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name." DeBarge's solo career was also successful, and he had several hit singles, including "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love."
Stage presence
DeBarge was a charismatic performer. He had a natural stage presence, and he always knew how to connect with his audience.

DeBarge's singing was a major influence on the R&B/soul music of the 1970s and 1980s. He was a gifted vocalist with a unique and expressive sound. DeBarge's music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

2. Songwriter

Bobby DeBarge was a singer, songwriter, and musician. He was a founding member of the popular R&B/soul group Switch, and later had a successful solo career. DeBarge was a talented songwriter, and he wrote many of Switch's biggest hits, including "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name." DeBarge's solo career was also successful, and he had several hit singles, including "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love."

DeBarge's songwriting was a major factor in his success as a singer and musician. His songs were well-crafted and catchy, and they often featured meaningful lyrics. DeBarge's songwriting skills also helped him to connect with his audience on a personal level. His songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and heartbreak, and they resonated with people who had experienced similar emotions.

DeBarge's songwriting legacy continues to live on. His songs have been covered by a variety of artists, and they continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world. DeBarge's songwriting was a gift, and it helped him to create some of the most memorable and enduring songs in R&B/soul music history.

3. Musician

Bobby DeBarge was a singer, songwriter, and musician. He was a founding member of the popular R&B/soul group Switch, and later had a successful solo career.

Vocalist
DeBarge was a gifted vocalist with a wide vocal range and a smooth, soulful sound. He was also a skilled falsetto singer.
Instrumentalist
In addition to singing, DeBarge also played several instruments, including the piano, guitar, and bass. He was a self-taught musician, and he had a natural talent for playing music.
Performer
DeBarge was a charismatic performer who always knew how to connect with his audience. He was a natural showman, and he always put on a great show.
Producer
DeBarge also worked as a producer, and he produced several albums for other artists, including his siblings' group, DeBarge.

DeBarge's musical talent was undeniable. He was a gifted singer, songwriter, musician, and performer. He made a significant contribution to the R&B/soul music of the 1970s and 1980s, and his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

4. Switch

Switch was an American R&B/soul group that was founded in 1975. The group consisted of Bobby DeBarge, his brothers Tommy and Bunny DeBarge, and their friends Phillip Ingram and Jody Sims. Switch released four albums and had several hit singles, including "There'll Never Be," "I Call Your Name," and "Love Over and Over Again."

Formation and early success
Switch was formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1975. The group quickly gained a following in the local area, and they were soon signed to Motown Records. Switch's debut album, "Switch," was released in 1978 and was a commercial success. The album spawned the hit singles "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name."
Bobby DeBarge's role
Bobby DeBarge was a founding member of Switch and was the group's lead singer. He was also a major songwriter for the group, and he wrote or co-wrote many of Switch's biggest hits. DeBarge's smooth, soulful vocals were a major factor in Switch's success.
Switch's musical style
Switch's musical style was a blend of R&B, soul, and funk. The group's songs were often upbeat and danceable, but they also had a strong melodic sense. Switch's music was popular with both black and white audiences, and the group was one of the most successful R&B/soul groups of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Switch's later years
Switch released four albums and had several hit singles, but the group never achieved the same level of success as they did with their debut album. The group disbanded in 1984, and Bobby DeBarge went on to have a successful solo career.

Switch was one of the most popular R&B/soul groups of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group's music was a blend of R&B, soul, and funk, and their songs were often upbeat and danceable. Switch's success was due in large part to the of Bobby DeBarge, who was the group's lead singer and songwriter. DeBarge's smooth, soulful vocals were a major factor in Switch's success, and he helped to make the group one of the most popular R&B/soul groups of their era.

5. Solo career

Bobby DeBarge's solo career began in 1983, when he released his debut album, "Bobby DeBarge." The album was a commercial success, and it spawned the hit singles "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love." DeBarge continued to release music throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but he never achieved the same level of success as he did with Switch.

There are a number of reasons why DeBarge's solo career was not as successful as his career with Switch. First, DeBarge was struggling with drug addiction during this time. He was arrested several times for drug-related offenses, and he served time in prison. This made it difficult for him to focus on his music career.

Second, the music industry was changing in the 1980s and 1990s. New genres of music, such as hip-hop and grunge, were becoming more popular, and R&B/soul music was starting to lose its popularity. This made it difficult for DeBarge to find a place in the music industry.

Despite the challenges he faced, DeBarge continued to release music until his death in 1995. He left behind a legacy of hit songs that continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

6. Hits

Bobby DeBarge was a singer, songwriter, and musician who had a successful solo career in the 1980s and 1990s. He is best known for his hit songs "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love." DeBarge's hits were a major factor in his success as a solo artist, and they helped to establish him as one of the most popular R&B/soul singers of his era.

"Rhythm of the Night"
"Rhythm of the Night" was DeBarge's biggest hit song. It was released in 1985 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was a major crossover success, and it helped to introduce DeBarge to a wider audience.
"All This Love"
"All This Love" was another major hit for DeBarge. It was released in 1983 and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was a beautiful ballad, and it showcased DeBarge's smooth, soulful vocals.
Other hits
In addition to "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love," DeBarge had several other hit songs, including "I Like It" (1984), "Find a Lover" (1985), and "Dance All Night" (1986). These songs helped to solidify DeBarge's status as a major R&B/soul singer.

DeBarge's hits were a major factor in his success as a solo artist. His songs were catchy, danceable, and they had a strong melodic sense. DeBarge's hits helped to make him one of the most popular R&B/soul singers of his era.

FAQs about Bobby DeBarge

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Bobby DeBarge, an American singer, songwriter, and musician.

Question 1: What was Bobby DeBarge's biggest hit song?

Answer: Bobby DeBarge's biggest hit song was "Rhythm of the Night," which was released in 1985 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Question 2: What was Bobby DeBarge's musical style?

Answer: Bobby DeBarge's musical style was a blend of R&B, soul, and funk. His songs were often upbeat and danceable, but they also had a strong melodic sense.

Question 3: What was Bobby DeBarge's role in Switch?

Answer: Bobby DeBarge was a founding member of Switch and was the group's lead singer and songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote many of Switch's biggest hits, including "There'll Never Be" and "I Call Your Name."

Question 4: What were some of the challenges Bobby DeBarge faced in his solo career?

Answer: Bobby DeBarge struggled with drug addiction during his solo career. He was arrested several times for drug-related offenses, and he served time in prison. This made it difficult for him to focus on his music career.

Question 5: What is Bobby DeBarge's legacy?

Answer: Bobby DeBarge is remembered as one of the most popular R&B/soul singers of the 1970s and 1980s. He left behind a legacy of hit songs that continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Summary: Bobby DeBarge was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician who made a significant contribution to the R&B/soul music of the 1970s and 1980s. His music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Transition to the next article section: Bobby DeBarge's personal life and relationships were often tumultuous. He struggled with drug addiction for much of his life, and he was arrested several times for drug-related offenses. DeBarge also had several relationships that ended in heartbreak. Despite these challenges, DeBarge continued to make music until his death in 1995. He left behind a legacy of hit songs that continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Conclusion

Bobby DeBarge was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician who made a significant contribution to the R&B/soul music of the 1970s and 1980s. His smooth, soulful vocals and catchy songs made him one of the most popular R&B/soul singers of his era. Despite struggling with drug addiction and personal demons, DeBarge continued to make music until his death in 1995. His legacy lives on through his hit songs, which continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

DeBarge's story is a reminder that even the most talented people can struggle with addiction and personal problems. However, it is also a story of hope and redemption. DeBarge never gave up on his music, and he continued to make music until the end of his life. His story is an inspiration to us all, and it shows us that it is never too late to turn our lives around.

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