Cherrelle

Cherrelle (born Cheryl Ann Norton on October 13, 1958 in Los Angeles, California) is an R&B singer from the ’80s and ’90s.

Cherrelle grew up in an upscale neighborhood in Beverly Hills, California; her mother was a doctor and her father was a well-known entertainment lawyer. She is the cousin of R&B singer Pebbles and the aunt of Brandi Williams from R&B group Blaque.

After her family established a summer home in Detroit, Michigan, she met singer\bassist Michael Henderson, who had her appear on his 1978 album, “In The Night-Time” on the track, “One To One.” Afterwards, she went tour with him and Luther Vandross.

In the ’80s, Cherrelle recorded a demo that attracted the attention of Clarence Avant, the owner of Tabu Records, who signed her to a record deal through her father. Her stage name was inspired by her boss at a bank where she previously worked at who would yell, “Cher-relle, you’re late!”

On April 8, 1984, she released her debut studio album, “Fragile” which peaked at #144 on the Billboard 200 and #27 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The album was largely produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

The lead single, “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” peaked at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart (staying on the chart for 13 weeks) and #8 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

In 1985, Robert Palmer recorded a cover version of the song for his album, “Riptide” which paked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year. Mariah Carey covered the song in 2001 for the soundtrack to her film, “Glitter.”

The follow-up single, “Fragile… Handle with Care” peaked at #37 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The last two singles released from the album, a remixed version of “Like I Will” and “When You Look in My Eyes” didn’t make the charts at all. In 1985, she was featured on labelmate Alexander O’Neal’s self-titled debut album on the track, “Innocent.”

On October 20, 1985, Cherrelle released her sophomore album, “High Priority” which peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200, #17 on the UK Albums chart and #9 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The first single, “You Look Good to Me” peaked at #26 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The follow-up single, “Saturday Love” (with Alexander O’Neal) was successful, peaking at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the UK Singles chart and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for 3 weeks, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. It also peaked at #13 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

The third single, “Artificial Heart” peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. It also peaked at  #5 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart (along with the track, “Oh No It’s U Again”), staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

The fourth single, “Will You Satisfy?” peaked at #57 on the UK Singles chart, but didn’t make the charts in the United States.

The last single released from the album, “Where Do I Run To” didn’t chart as well. In 1986, Cherrelle was featured on The S.O.S. Band’s album, “Sands Of Time” on the track, “The Finest.”

In 1987, she teamed up with Alexander O’Neal again on his album, “Hearsay” on the track, “Never Knew Love Like This” which peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100, #26 on the UK Singles chart and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

On October 19, 1988, she released her third studio album, “Affair” which peaked at #106 on the Billboard 200 and #15 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. It would also be her last album with long-time producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

The lead single, “Everything I Miss at Home” became Cherrelle’s only number-one hit on the R&B charts to date, topping Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for a week in December of 1988, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. It also peaked at #83 on the UK Singles chart.

The title song peaked at #67 on the UK Singles chart and #4 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. It also peaked at #15 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

The third single, “What More Can I Do For You” peaked at #58 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks. 

The last single from the album, “Crazy (For Loving You)” didn’t make the charts. During that same year, she provided vocals on her cousin Pebbles’ debut album.

In 1990, a remixed version of “Saturday Love” called the “Feelin’ Luv Mix” peaked at #55 on the UK Singles chart. During that same year, she was featured on Pebbles’ album, “Always” on the title track.

In 1991, Cherrelle released her fourth album, “The Woman I Am” which peaked at #43 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. It would be her last release on Tabu Records.

The lead single, “Never in My Life” peaked at #40 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The follow-up single from the album, “Tears of Joy” peaked at #23 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The third and last single, “Still in Love With You” peaked at #86 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.

Throughout the ’90s, Cherrelle found herself going through some rough and tragic times. Her sister passed away from unknown causes; her father was incarcerated for financial fraud after he was accused of allegedy embezzling money from his clients; and her boyfriend, singer Randy Ran (who was the father of two of her children) was killed during a motorcycle accident.

In 1995, Cherrelle’s first greatest hits compliation album, “The Best of Cherrelle” was released by Tabu Records.

In 1996, she was featured on Alexander O’Neal’s album, “Lovers Again” on a cover version of Patti Austin and James Ingram’s 1981 song, “Baby, Come To Me” which peaked at #56 on the UK Singles chart, staying on the chart for a week.

Years after Randy’s death, Cherrelle became romantically involved with another man and went into premature labor with her daughter, Martinique four months early, who was delivered through an emergency caesarean section, but they turned out to be okay.

In 1999, she released her fifth and last studio album to date, “The Right Time” on the Power Records label which peaked at #55 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The two singles released from the album: the title song (featuring Keith Murray) and “Just Tell Me” didn’t make any impact on the charts. 

Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, Cherrelle continued to perform and frequently performed with Alexander O’Neal. During that time, two more greatest-hits compliation albums: “Greatest Hits” (in 2005), “Icon” (in 2011) and “The Very Best Of” (in 2015) were released. These days (according to research), it appears as if she is still performing.

To see a video for “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You”, go to:

To see a video for “Fragile….Handle with Care”, go to:

To see a video for “Like I Will”, go to:

To see a video for “When You Look in My Eyes”, go to:

To see a video for “You Look Good to Me”, go to:

To see a video for “Saturday Love”, go to:

To see a video for “Artificial Heart”, go to:

To see a video for “Will You Satisfy?”, go to:

To see a video for “Where Do I Run To”, go to:

To see a video for “Never Knew Love Like This” (with Alexander O’Neal), go to:

To see a video for “Everything I Miss at Home”, go to:

To see a video for “Affair”, go to:

To see a video for “What More Can I Do for You”, go to:

To see a video for “Crazy (For Loving You)”, go to:

To see a video for the Feelin’ Luv Mix version of “Saturday Love”, go to:

To see a video for “Never in My Life”, go to:

To see a video for “Tears of Joy”, go to:

To see a video for “Still in Love with You”, go to:

To see a video for “Baby, Come to Me” (with Alexander O’Neal), go to:

To see a video for “The Right Time”, go to:

To see a video for “Just Tell Me”, go to:

[updated on 12/19/2021]

Cyré

Cyré (born Laura Cyré Rodriguez from the Bronx, New York) is a female freestyle/dance music singer from the late ’80s.

As a child, Cyré wrote poetry, short stories and songs. She attended Marymount University in Tarrytown, New York where she majored in science. She later enrolled at the Mozartina Music Conservatory where she studied music and voice basics.

After graduating from the school, she toured with an R&B group in France. When the group disbanded, Cyré went on to join other various music groups, did commercial jingles, did background vocals for pop and R&B artists at numerous recording studios in New York, and performed in small jazz venues and nightclubs in New York.

After performing at the Funhouse nightclub in Manhattan, New York, she was approached by a producer to record a song for the Fresh Records Label.
In 1987, Cyré released her debut single, “Last Chance” which peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Play chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks. It also peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #60 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.
In 1992, she released her follow-up single, “The Life” on 4th & Broadway Records which didn’t appear to make the charts at all.

In later years, Cyré went on to record music for films, worked on various projects as an actress and as a production assistant. She also hosted the Channel 7 ABC-TV show, “New York Hot Tracks”.

In 2001, she was invited to the Pentagon for the September 11th America’s Heroes tribute in Washington, D.C. where she performed the song, “See You in Heaven.” She also performed at New York’s Beacon Theater opening for Spain’s Azucar Moreno.

In the years since, she has performed all around the globe. She even represented the United States in international song festivals in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
In 2017, Cyré released the single, “Nothing But You”. These days (according to research), she continues to perform live.

To follow Cyré on Facebook, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/theofficialCYRE/

To see a video for “Last Chance”, go to:

To see a video for “The Life”, go to:

To see a video for “Nothing But You”, go to:

Tara Kemp

Tara Kemp (born Tara Lesyle Kemp on May 11, 1964 in Livermore, California) is a pop\R&B singer from the early ’90s.

In 1990, she released her debut single, “Hold You Tight” on Giant Records. By 1991, the song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #69 on the UK Singles chart and #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. 

It also topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #15 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

On January 16, 1991, Tara released her self-titled debut album which peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200 and #34 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The follow-up single, “Piece of My Heart” peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at #26 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #47 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The last single released from the album, “Too Much” peaked at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her last appearance on the chart to date.

In 1992, Tara was featured on the soundtracks to the film, “Class Act” with the track, “Anything You Ask” and the FOX network series, “Beverly Hills, 90210” with the track, “Action Speak Louder Than Words.”

In 1994, she released the single, “Come Correct” which didn’t make a lot of impact on the charts. After that, Giant Records folded, leaving her without a record label and it seemed as if she faded into obscurity.

In 2013, Tara launched a Facebook page and a YouTube channel containing new photography, uploads of vintage material and teasers to a new track called “Water.” In 2014 and 2015, she revealed in interviews that she was working on new material.

In April of 2016 (twenty-two years after the release of her last single), she released the single “Paris in Spring” featuring singer D’wayne Wiggins as a charity single to help benefit victims of the Paris attacks in November of 2015.

In 2021, Tara announced plans to independently released her sophomore album (which was shelved) and remastered versions of her 1991 singles. She is currently working with music manager Shaun Cairo from Shakir Entertainment.

To follow Tara on Facebook, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/tarakempofficial

To follow Tara on Instagram, go to:

https://www.instagram.com/tara.kemp/

To follow Tara on Twitter, go to:

https://twitter.com/tarakemp_tk

To see a video for “Hold You Tight”, go to:

To see a video for “Piece of My Heart”, go to:

To see a video for “Too Much”, go to:

To see a video for “Anything You Ask”, go to:

To see a video for “Action Speak Louder Than Words”, go to:

To see a video for “Paris in Spring”, go to:

[updated on 12/20/2021]

Seduction

Seduction were a dance\pop music girl group from New York that was assembled and produced by Robert Clivillés & David Cole (who were later known as the founders of C+C Music Factory.
Prior to the formation of the trio, they were originally intended as a studio project; in 1988, the first single by them, “Seduction” (which featured vocals from singer Carol Cooper) was released to dance clubs, and peaked at #87 on the U.K. Singles chart and #17 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.
Seduction’s follow-up single, “(You’re My One and Only) True Love” (which featured uncredited vocals by Martha Wash, who originally recorded the song as a demo) became a dance hit, peaking at #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The song crossed over to the pop charts where it peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100; it also peaked at #56 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart in August of 1989, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

After that, Cole and Clivillés worked on assembling a group of girls who displayed talent, sex appeal and multi-format potential. The girls who were chosen were Michelle Visage (born Michelle Lynn Shupack on September 20, 1968 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey), April Harris (born on March 25, 1967) and Idalis DeLeon (born on June 15, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York).
In September of 1989, Seduction released their debut studio album, “Nothing Matter Without Love” on A&M Records which peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200 and #28 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. By the end of 1990, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA.
The group’s third single, “Two to Make it Right” became the group’s biggest hit to date, topping Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club play chart for a week (staying on the chart for 12 weeks) and Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The song also crossed over to the pop charts where it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #79 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The fourth single from the album, a cover version of Taana Gardner’s 1981 song, “Heartbeat” peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #75 on the U.K. Singles chart and #21 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

It also peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart (along with the track, “Free Your Body”), staying on the chart for 12 weeks.
The album’s fifth single, “Could This Be Love” peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, #21 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #38 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
The final single released from the album, “Breakdown” peaked at #82 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It also peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks along with the track, “Groove Me.”

By mid-1990, Idalis DeLeon left the group and was replaced by Sinoa Loren (born on December 6, 1966 in New York). During that same year, Michelle Visage was featured on freestyle music group TKA’s song, “Crash (Have Some Fun)” which became a top 10 hit on the dance charts.

In 1991, Seduction disbanded. A year later, Michelle provided vocals for dance music act, The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.’s song, “It’s Gonna Be a Lovely Day” (which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1992 film, “The Bodyguard)” which topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and was a moderate hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Around 2003, April Harris reformed Seduction with new members Maria Flora and Eunice Quiñones. She established her own music and television production company called AVH Entertainment in 2004. In 2005, Seduction released the album, “Feel Brand New” under April’s company.

Idalis went on to become a MTV DJ from 1994 to 1998; she also acted in various television shows & films. She also worked as a weekend anchor for “Extra” from 2003 to 2006. These days, Idalis runs her own broadcasting & media company called IDalis Media where she works as a talent producer and media trainer.

These days, April (now known as April Harris-Holmes) resides in New Jersey and runs her own baked goods company called Keeping You Sweet.

Sinoa Loren provided vocals on the soundtracks to the films, “Carlito’s Way” and “The Shadow.” She has also written & recorded several dance songs that were played throughout South America and Mexico. Sinoa was also a part of a tribute group to Seduction called SKY. It’s unknown what’s she’s currently up to these days.

In 1996, Michelle Visage became the co-host of RuPaul’s talk show on VH1, “The RuPaul Show.” She also worked as a radio DJ in Los Angeles, California and Miami, Florida. In 2015, she published her first book called “The Diva Rules.” In April of 2019, she revealed that she had Hashimoto’s disease which led to getting her breast implants removed.

These days, Michelle is currently one of the judges on the VH1 reality television competition series, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She also resides in California with her husband and two daughters.

To follow Idalis DeLeon on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/idalismediatv

To follow Idalis DeLeon on Instagram, go to:
https://www.instagram.com/iamidalisdirector/

To follow Michelle Visage on Instagram, go to:
https://www.instagram.com/michellevisage/

To see Michelle Visage’s Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/officialmichellevisage/

To see a video for “Two To Make It Right,” go to:

To see a video for “(You’re My One and Only) True Love,” go to:

To see a video for “Seduction,” go to:

To see a video for “Heartbeat,” go to:

To see a video for “Could This Be Love,” go to:

To see a video for “Breakdown,” go to:

To see a video for “Groove Me,” go to:

To see a video for “Free Your Body,” go to:

Thank You!!

Thank you for all the positive and helpful feedback on my blog. I’ll try to update it with more music. I hope you keep visiting my blog and keep the feedback coming!!

Yours Truly,
The Music Know-It All

Eugene Wilde

Eugene Wilde (born Ronald Eugene Broomfield on December 6, 1961 in North Miami Beach, Florida) is an R&B music singer from the ’80s.

Eugene was raised in Miami, Florida and grew up in a musical family. He first began singing when he was 5 years old. As he got older, he joined his family’s music group, La Voyage where they played in local clubs.

In the ’70s, the group changed their name to Tight Connection and later Simplicious. He was also a member of the music group, Today, Tomorrow, Forever, whom he recorded an album with.

Eugene’s manager insisted that he go by his middle name professionally; he took his last name from an advertisement for a club in New York named Wildflower’s.
In 1984, he signed a record deal with Philly World Records and released his self-titled debut studio album during that same year. The album peaked at #97 on the Billboard 200, #14 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and #67 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The lead single, “Gotta Get You Home Tonight” became his first number-one R&B hit, topping Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for a week in January of 1985, staying on the chart for 23 weeks. It also crossed over to the pop music charts where it peaked at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #18 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The follow-up single, “Rainbow” peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. The third single, “Personality” peaked at #34 on the U.K. Singles chart for 6 weeks.
The last single released from the album, “Chey Chey Kulé” peaked at #83 on the U.K. Singles chart and #69 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.
In 1985, Eugene released his sophomore album, “Serenade” which peaked at #17 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single, “Don’t Say No (Tonight)” topped Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for 3 weeks, staying on the chart for 22 weeks. It also peaked at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #80 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The follow-up single, “Diana” peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.
The third and last single, “30 Mins. To Talk” peaked at #79 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks.
During that same year, Eugene appeared in the film, “Rappin’” and was featured on the film’s soundtrack with the track, “First Love Never Dies” with singer Joanna Gardner.
After Philly World Records folded, Eugene’s career came to a brief halt. In 1987, he recorded a duet with Sheena Easton called “What If We Fall in Love” which was featured on Sheena’s album, “No Heart But a Sound.” He also appeared on music group Cabo Frio’s self-titled album.

In 1989, he released his third studio album, “I Choose You (Tonight)” on MCA Records. The lead single, “I Can’t Stop (This Feeling)” peaked at #35 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.
The second single, “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” peaked at #50 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.
The title song peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. Eugene later ran an independent record label in Florida called Wilde City Records.

In 1992, Eugene released his fourth studio album, “How About Tonight” which didn’t make the charts. The title song peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.
The follow-up single, “Special Feelings” didn’t make the charts. In 1994, he was featured on his sister, Dee Dee Wilde’s album, “I Am A Woman”.

During the ’90s and 2000s, Eugene began focusing on songwriting for artists such as Backstreet Boys, Marc Dorsey, Kathie Lee Gifford, Britney Spears and Victoria Beckham. In 2010, he provided vocals for Danish production duo Rob Hardt and Frank Ryle’s song, “Back for More”.
In 2011, Eugene released his fifth studio album, “Get Comfortable” independently. According to research, he runs a record label, 50ish Music Group.

To see a video for “Gotta Get You Home Tonight”, go to:

To see a video for “Rainbow”, go to:

To see a video for “Personality”, go to:

To see a video for “Chey Chey Kulé”, go to:

To see a video for “Don’t Say No (Tonight)”, go to:

To see a video for “Diana”, go to:

To see a video for “30 Mins. To Talk”, go to:

To see a video for “First Love Never Dies” (with Joanna Gardner), go to:

To see a video for “I Can’t Stop (This Feeling)”, go to:

To see a video for “Ain’t Nobody’s Business”, go to:

To see a video for “I Choose You (Tonight)”, go to:

To see a video for “How About Tonight”, go to:

To see a video for “Special Feelings”, go to:

To see a video for  “Comfortable” (from his “Get Comfortable” album), go to:

Joanna Gardner

Joanna Gardner (born in 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an R&B music singer from the ’80s.

Joanna is the daughter of a police force mechanic and a community director for a nursing concern. When she was 16 years old, she decided to pursue singing full-time. She eventually formed her own group called Joanna’s Band, performing at her mother’s nightclub where she also worked as a barmaid during the weekends.

While working at a part time job at a jeweller’s shop, she met British R&B\soul music group Loose Ends, who walked in the store; they were in Philadelphia at the time recording with producer Nick Martinelli. Fascinated by the group’s clothes and accent, she talked to them and they became friends.

Excited by her voice, Nick Martinelli took Joanna to Philly World Records, who signed her to the label within five days. She made her singing debut with Harold Melvin on the song, “Today’s Your Lucky Day” and then joined Loose Ends as a backup singer on their song, “Hangin’ On A String (Contemplating)”.
In 1985, Joanna released her self-titled and only studio album to date on Philly World Records. The only single released from the album, “Watching You” peaked at #77 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

The other tracks from the album: “Pick Up The Pieces”, “We Can Make It”, “Special Feelings” and “I Could Never Love Another Like You” established Joanna with soul music fans in the United Kingdom.
During that same year, she made her stage debut in London, England while on a playback tour with Loose Ends. She was also featured on the soundtrack to the film, “Rappin'” with the track, “First Love Never Dies” with Eugene Wilde.

Afterwards, it seems as if Joanna had faded into obscurity, but according to a comment I received from her daughter, Denise back in 2008:

“Hi! Im denise and I’m her daughter. She lives in Philadelphia with me and my younger brother. She is doing well and still sings! THANKS =]”

To see a video for “Watching You”, go to:

To see a video for “Pick Up The Pieces”, go to:

To see a video for “We Can Make It”, go to:

To see a video for “Special Feelings”, go to:

To see a video for “I Could Never Love Another Like You”, go to:

To see a video for “First Love Never Dies” (with Eugene Wilde), go to:

Jenny Burton

Jenny Burton (born on November 18, 1957 in New York City) is a dance\R&B singer from the early to mid ’80s.

Growing up, Jenny was raised as a foster child and became interested in the music business during high school. In 1970, she worked as a receptionist for the Bell Record Company. After a recording session, the producer needed a singer and she volunteered to help out which led to a record contract with Cotton Records.
In 1975, she released the single, “(Nobody Loves Me) Like You Do Do” (featuring singer Dooley Silverspoon) under the name Jeanne Burton, which peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Disco File Top 20 (Record World) chart, staying on the chart for 2 weeks.
During that time, she worked as a background singer and was featured on Dooley Silverspoon’s single, “American Music (Made In The U.S.A.)” in 1976.
In the ’80s, Jenny was the lead singer of dance music band C-Bank where they scored a hit with the single, “One More Shot” which peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart (staying on the chart for 15 weeks) and #87 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.
The band also had a moderate hit with the song, “Get Wet” which peaked at #53 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart, staying on chart for 7 weeks.
In 1983, Jenny left C-Bank for a solo career, singing a record deal with Atlantic Records. During that same year, she released her debut studio album, “In Black and White” which peaked at #181 on the Billboard 200 and #50 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The lead single, “Remember What You Like” peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. It also peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #21 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.
The follow-up single, “Rock Steady” peaked at #40 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart (along with the track, “Players”), staying on the chart for 6 weeks. It also peaked at #88 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.
In 1984, she was featured on the soundtracks for the film, “Beat Street” with the tracks, “It’s Alright By Me” and “Strangers in a Strange World” (with Patrick Jude) which peaked at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1985, Jenny released her self-titled sophomore album which peaked at #45 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single, “Bad Habits” became Jenny’s only number-one dance hit to date, topping Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco chart for a week in March of 1985, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The song also peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #68 on the UK Singles chart, #10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #19 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.
The follow-up single from the album, “Dancing For My Love” peaked at #46 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.
The last single, “Love Runs Deeper than Pride” didn’t make the charts. During that same year, Jenny was featured on the soundtrack to the film, “White Nights” with the track, “People Have Got to Move”.
In 1986, she released her third studio album, “Souvenirs” which didn’t make the Billboard charts at all. The only single released from the album, “Do You Want It Bad Enuff” peaked at #68 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

In the ’90s, Jenny refocused her career as a gospel\inspirational music artist and created a band called The Jenny Burton Experience with her husband, producer and composer Peter Link.

The band had a successful run for seven years at the Don’t Tell Mama restaurant\piano bar in New York City. They also opened at the Trump Marina for Al Green; performed with The Gap Band, Morris Day and The Time at The Indianapolis Black Expo for 80,000 people; opened up for Stevie Wonder at Lincoln Center in New York City; and completed a one-month run headlining at Resorts International in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In 1992, Jenny had a recurring role on the ABC network soap opera, “All My Children” in the role of Vivienne Taylor-Roxbury Barnes.

In later years, she sang at the Gospel Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee; performed at the 2005 Movie Guide Awards in Hollywood, California in 2005; starred at numerous industrial shows for Fortune 500 companies all over the world; performed in a tribute to Harry Belafonte and Don King in New YorK City and was a featured performer in “Black to Broadway” at B.B. King’s world famous club.
In 2006, Jenny and her husband, Peter formed a record label called Watchfire Music. In 2007, she released her third studio album, “I Think on These Things.” She also performed in Watchfire Music’s Joy Ride Concert in New York City.
In the 2010s, she released the albums: “Released” (in 2010), “Jenny’s Singles” (in 2011), “Reaching Out From The Inside” (in 2013) and “The Best of Jenny Burton” (in 2014).
These days (according to research), Jenny appears to still be performing and releasing music; in 2021, she released the album, “New World”.

To see Jenny’s official website, go to:
http://jennyburtonmusic.com/

To follow Jenny on Facebook, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/JennyBurtonMusic

To see a video for “(Nobody Loves Me) Like You Do”, go to:

To see a video for “One More Shot” (with C-Bank), go to:

To see a video for “Get Wet” (with C-Bank), go to:

To see a video for “Remember What You Like”, go to:

To see a video for “Rock Steady”, go to:

To see a video for “Players”, go to:

To see a video for “Strangers in a Strange World”, go to:

To see a video for “It’s Alright By Me”, go to:

To see a video for “Bad Habits”, go to:

To see a video for “Dancing for My Love”, go to:

To see a video for “Love Runs Deeper than Pride”, go to:

To see a video for “People Have Got to Move”, go to:

To see a video for “Do You Want It Bad Enuff”, go to:

To see a video for “I Think On These Things”, go to:

Robert Brookins

Robert Brookins (born Robert Franklin Brookins Jr. on October 7, 1962 in Sacramento, California) was an R&B music singer-songwriter, producer and musician from the ’80s.

Robert was raised in Del Paso Heights in Sacramento, California. He began singing when he was 4 years old, started playing the drums when he was five years old and began playing keyboards at the age of 9.

When he was 11 years old, he started his own band called Little Robert & the Fondeles, who went on to participate and win Motown’s 1974 Soul Search Contest. As a teenager, he performed in front of Ronald Reagan at the White House.
In 1981, Robert and his brother, Michael formed a music duo called Afterbach. During that same year, they released their only studio album, “Matinee” and scored a moderate hit on the R&B charts with the song, “It’s You” which peaked at #38 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

Throughout the mid to late ’80s, he performed, produced and composed songs for artists such as Philip Bailey, Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson, Deniece Williams, the Isley Brothers, Stanley Clarke, Rebbie Jackson, George Duke, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, Bobby Brown, George Howard and Jackie Jackson.
In 1986, Robert released his debut studio album, “In the Night” on MCA Records. The lead single, “Our Lives” peaked at #95 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.
The follow-up singles released from the album: “If You Only Knew” and “Come To Me” didn’t make the charts at all.
In 1989, he released his sophomore album, “Let It Be Me” which peaked at #37 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The lead single, a cover version of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway’s 1972 song, “Where Is the Love” (featuring Stephanie Mills) peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
The follow-up single, “Don’t Tease Me” peaked at #39 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. During that same year, Robert continued to perform and produce music for artists such as Michael Cooper, Christopher Williams and The Whispers.

In the ’90s, he continued to work with artists such as Keisha Jackson, Wayman Tisdale and Earth, Wind & Fire where he went on to become their keyboardist and musical director; he also appeared on their 2003 album, “The Promise”.

In 2002, Robert released his third studio album, “Something You Can Make Love To” on the MusicSoft Works labels.

On April 15, 2009, he died of a heart attack at the age of 46. His last studio album, “Sweet Dreams” was released by DaMusic Makers during that same year.

Since Robert’s death, an annual concert has been held with in Sacramento in his honor. In 2019, the Sacramento City Council had the city’s Nuevo Park be renamed after him.

To see a video for “Our Lives”, go to:

To see a video for “If You Only Knew”, go to:

To see a video for “Come To Me”, go to:

To see a video for “Where Is The Love” (with Stephanie Mills), go to:

To see a video for “Don’t Tease Me”, go to:

As a bonus, here is a video of Afterbach’s song, “It’s You”:

Tina B

Tina B (born Tina Klein in Brooklyn, New York) is a freestyle\dance music singer from the ’80s.

As a young girl, Tina B entered talent shows and fronted her first band when she was 11 years old. She continued to front rock music bands through her college years along with participating in musical theatre productions.

While in college, she met aspiring music producer Arthur Baker, who would later become her husband. She sang backing vocals on various projects that he was working on at the time such as North End’s songs, “Kind of Life (Kind of Love)” for West End Records and “Happy Days” (featuring Michelle Wallace) on Emergency Records.
Tina B began her solo career when Arthur asked her to lay down a rap and some vocals on the B-side of Afrika Bambaataa and the Jazzy Five’s single, “Jazzy Sensation.” In 1982, she became a member of Arthur Baker’s studio project, Rockers Revenge where they scored a hit with their remake of Eddy Grant’s 1978 song, “Walking on Sunshine.”
In 1984, she released her self-titled debut solo album on Elektra Records which didn’t appear to make the charts.
The lead single, “Honey To A Bee” peaked at #12 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
The follow-up single from the album, “Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy” peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Dance\Disco Top 80 chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. The song was featured in the film, “Beat Street” where she also made an appearance in.

Throughout the ’80s, Tina B has performed backing vocals and written songs for artists including Madonna, New Edition, Naked Eyes, Freeeze, Loleatta Holloway, Jennifer Holliday, Brenda K. Starr, Cindy Mizelle, Joyce Kennedy, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Crystal and Jeff Beck. She was also a member of Van Zandt’s Disciples of Soul band and the supergroup, Artists United Against Apartheid.
In 1987, she released the single, “January February” which peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.
During that same year, she released the single, “Miracles Explode” which peaked at #7 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.
In 1988, Tina B released the single, “Bodyguard” which peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
In the early ’90s, she continued to write and perform songs for artists such as Tevin Campbell and the West End Girls, whose song, “Not Like Kissing You” became a number-one hit on the pop music charts in Canada. In 1995, her greatest hits compliation album, “The Best Of Tina B. – Honey To A Bee” was released.

During the mid-’90s, Tina B studied opera in New York City with maestro Vincent La Sevla of the New York Grand Opera Company and performed in workshop performances such as “La Boheme” and “Traviata.”

She did classical\pop crossover recordings co-written by Tom Salta and produced by Verve artist and producer Philippe Saisse in New York and Nick Patrick in London, England. She also studied with Welsh tenor Jeffrey Talbot for 15 years in London.

In 2000, she moved to London and performed “original” classical pop songs (as well as opera and art song classics) at Bartok, a Mean Fiddler venue in Camden. In 2002, a dance remix of her song, “Si Mia Vita” was released on Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label as part of Arthur Baker’s dance compilation album, “Breakin.” She also performed the song on BBC Radio and the Amsterdam morning television show, “Lijne 4.”
In 2007, Tina B recorded an album of classical versions of soul songs called “OperaTronix” produced by Ray Hayden.
In 2009, she released the album, “Artful Dodger.” She also collaborated with jazz pianist Merv de Peyer on a lullaby for children on the Baby Dance Along YouTube channel and was part of a music duo called A Man and a Woman with Mitch Kaplan.
These days, Tina B is back in the United States in New York, working on a new solo album and reuniting with Rockers Revenge. In 2021, she released a remake of “Jazzy Sensation” on the Midnight Riot record label.

To see Tina B’s official website, go to:
https://tinabmusic.com/

To follow Tina B on Instagram, go to:
https://www.instagram.com/originaltinab/

To follow Tina B on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/OriginalTinaB

To follow Tina B on Facebook, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/OriginalTinaB

To see Tina B’s YouTube page, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9NfRszPA-EEBIX2211tOg

To see a video for “Jazzy Sensation”, go to:

To see a video for “Honey To A Bee”, go to:

To see a video for “Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy”, go to:

To see a video for “January February”, go to:

To see a video for “Miracles Explode”, go to:

To see a video for “Bodyguard”, go to:

To see a video for the remake of “Jazzy Sensation”, go to: