--=[ DeBarge Family ]=--

DeBarge - Bad Boys [1987]


The band had a string of R&B and Pop hits in the early to mid 1980's, including "All This Love," "I Like It," and "Rhythm of the Night." Many of these hits were ballads, spreading the band's appeal into the Adult Contemporary market as well. However, in 1986, both El and Bunny DeBarge left for solo careers. The remaining brothers soldiered on with their older brother Bobby (who'd long since left Switch) now joining the band to release the album Bad Boys in 1987, but it didn't achieve nearly the success of previous releases. Meanwhile, El went on to have a moderately successful solo career, and Bunny would score a hit off her solo album...

















Bunny DeBarge - In Love [1987]

Bunny DeBarge was the lone sister in the brother/sister RB/pop group DeBarge and she had a Top 20 R&B hit first time out as a solo artist with "Save the Best for Me (Best of Your Lovin')." She also co-wrote DeBarge's number one R&B hit "Time Will Reveal," their hit "I Like It," as well as "Let's Spend the Night" and "I Still Believe" for her own In Love LP...
















El DeBarge - In The Storm [1992]

After seven years with Motown in which he experienced moderate success as the lead vocalist for the group DeBarge and also as a soloist, El DeBarge attempted to step out on his own. In the Storm was the debut album for the Warner label for the Grand Rapids, MI native. Obviously showing much appreciation for his idol Marvin Gaye, El DeBarge created this album in a vein similar to that of Gaye's 1977 LP I Want You. Beginning with the album cover, El DeBarge seeks to reproduce the same atmosphere that Gaye's pictorial illustration did...















Bobby DeBarge - It's Not Over [1995]

After a few years away from the entertainment industry, Bobby returned and recorded an album with his brothers called "Bad Boys". Under new management, he followed up with his solo album, "It's Not Over", which was never released. Bobby performed a song on Jeffrey Valantine's albums entitled, "Claimin' Ma City" and "Hurry Don't Wait". He also sang background for the song, "It's a Mad World", on an album released by Devious Steve.

Robert Louis DeBarge, Jr. was born to Etterlene and Robert DeBarge, Sr. in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, family members recounted how Bobby was physically abused by his father. The family says the abuse towards Bobby had a psychological effect. In his late teens, Bobby got addicted to heroin. Despite his rough upbringing, after moving to Grand Rapids in the early 1970s, Bobby began playing in bands in the local area. A gifted singer and pianist since childhood, Bobby befriended fellow musician Gregory Williams and with three other guys (Eddie Fluellen, Philip Ingram and Jody Sims) eventually signed as Barry White's background group White Heat in 1975. In 1976, White dropped them because of a tax problem and kept one of the group's saxophonists as part of White's Love Unlimited Orchestra.

In 1981, both Bobby and Tommy left Switch and Bobby later began producing his other siblings who made up the popular R&B group DeBarge and served as mentor of the group's lead singer and younger brother El. In 1987, he promptly joined the El and Bunny-sans lineup of the group singing lead on several songs off DeBarge's final album, Bad Boys. He was with the group when they appeared in an Punky Brewster episode. Unable to shake his addictions to heroin and crack cocaine, in 1988 Bobby and his younger brother Chico were arrested for intention to distribute drugs in their hometown of Grand Rapids.

Bobby and his brother served five years in a federal penitentiary in Milan, Michigan. After leaving prison and gaining sobriety, DeBarge tried continuing his music career but shortly after his release, Bobby died from complications of AIDS on August 16, 1995, at the age of 39. Bobby's final musical endeavor was the album entitled, It's Not Over, which included the songs "Thief in the Night", "It's Not Over", and "Good Times".

Bobby's smooth vocals continue to be sampled by today's young artists...
















Chico DeBarge - Long Time No See [1997]


After spending eleven years in jail, Chico Debarge returned with an excllent disc Long Time No See. The disc has a neo-soul/contermopary R&B feel. Debarge holds his own on the truthful Iggin Me and No Guarantee both of which were huge radio songs back in 97 & 98.

Chico's music is often compared to Maxwell, D'angelo, etc. That's a fair comparison, but he is definitley original. Chico brings all that he has to the table. Every song on the CD is good but my personal favorites are "Physical Train", "Love Jones", "Superman" and "Virgin".If you like neo soul you'll enjoy this CD.

Chico DeBarge ~ Virgin




* Props 2 Family Member Will For All *


All track info is in the comment section...