Bobby DeBarge
Encyclopedia
Robert Louis "Bobby" DeBarge Jr. (March 5, 1956–August 16, 1995) was an American
musician and the lead singer of the 1970s Motown R&B group Switch
. He was also the mentor behind his younger siblings who formed the musical group DeBarge
and was the biggest influence among its members, most prominently El DeBarge
. He later joined the group for a year before his career was interrupted by a drug conviction.
and Robert DeBarge Sr. in Detroit, Michigan
. Growing up, family members recounted how Bobby was physically abused by his father. The family says that the abuse toward Bobby had a psychological effect. In his late teens, Bobby became 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 Eddie Fluellen, Phillip 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.
after the group gave a demonstration tape to Jermaine Jackson
, formerly of the Jackson 5. The group (which also included brother Thomas "Tommy" DeBarge) recorded the hits "There'll Never Be," "I Call Your Name," "I Want to be Closer," "Love Over and Over Again," and "My Friend in the Sky".
. He 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 a 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.
, and his brother Chico 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 age 39. Bobby's final musical endeavor was the album titled It's Not Over, which included the songs "Thief in the Night," "It's Not Over," and "Good Times."
's 2007 hit "Throw Some D's
", and in the Ne-Yo
song "It Just Ain't Right".
Bobby Debarge wrote You and I, for Latoya Jackson
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician and the lead singer of the 1970s Motown R&B group Switch
Switch (band)
Switch was an R&B/funk band that found fame recording for the Gordy label in the late 1970s releasing hit songs such as "There'll Never Be", "I Call Your Name" and "The Best Beat in Town" and influenced bands such as DeBarge, which featured members Bobby and Tommy's siblings.-Early years:Formed in...
. He was also the mentor behind his younger siblings who formed the musical group DeBarge
DeBarge
DeBarge was a sibling music group of American origin whose repertoire included R&B, soul, funk, and later gospel. Active as a professional recording group from 1979 and 1989, the group was one of the few recording acts to bring success to the Motown label during the 1980s.-Background:Hailing from...
and was the biggest influence among its members, most prominently El DeBarge
El DeBarge
Eldra Patrick "El" DeBarge is an American R&B/pop falsetto singer and was the focal point and lead singer of the family group DeBarge throughout the early to mid-1980s....
. He later joined the group for a year before his career was interrupted by a drug conviction.
Early life and career
Robert Louis DeBarge Jr. was born to EtterleneEtterlene DeBarge
Etterlene "Mama" Abney DeBarge Rodriguez is a gospel singer, songwriter, and matriarch of the famous singing DeBarge family group...
and Robert DeBarge Sr. in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. Growing up, family members recounted how Bobby was physically abused by his father. The family says that the abuse toward Bobby had a psychological effect. In his late teens, Bobby became addicted to heroin. Despite his rough upbringing, after moving to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
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 Eddie Fluellen, Phillip Ingram
Phillip Ingram
Phillip Ingram was raised in Akron, Ohio. He came from a musical family with six brothers and sisters who all sang and played instruments but only Phillip and his brother, James Ingram, pursued a musical career....
and Jody Sims, eventually signed as Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
'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.
Switch
Afterward, the group changed its name to Switch and eventually signed with MotownMotown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
after the group gave a demonstration tape to Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
, formerly of the Jackson 5. The group (which also included brother Thomas "Tommy" DeBarge) recorded the hits "There'll Never Be," "I Call Your Name," "I Want to be Closer," "Love Over and Over Again," and "My Friend in the Sky".
Later career
In 1981, both Bobby and Tommy left Switch and Bobby later began producing his other siblings, who made up the popular R&B group DeBargeDeBarge
DeBarge was a sibling music group of American origin whose repertoire included R&B, soul, funk, and later gospel. Active as a professional recording group from 1979 and 1989, the group was one of the few recording acts to bring success to the Motown label during the 1980s.-Background:Hailing from...
. He served as mentor of the group's lead singer and younger brother, El
El DeBarge
Eldra Patrick "El" DeBarge is an American R&B/pop falsetto singer and was the focal point and lead singer of the family group DeBarge throughout the early to mid-1980s....
. In 1987, he promptly joined the El and Bunny
Bunny Debarge
Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge is an American soul singer-songwriter, best known as the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge...
-sans lineup of the group, singing lead on several songs off DeBarge's final album, Bad Boys
Bad Boys (DeBarge album)
Bad Boys is the fifth studio album released by R&B group, DeBarge in 1987, after both El DeBarge and Bunny DeBarge had left the lineup.When El and Bunny DeBarge left the group, remaining members James, Mark and Randy left Motown Records after a seven-year tenure in 1986 and signed with the local...
. He was with the group when they appeared in a Punky Brewster
Punky Brewster
Punky Brewster was an American sitcom about a girl named Punky Brewster being raised by her foster parent...
episode. Unable to shake his addictions to heroin and crack cocaine
Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed rock, hard, iron, cavvy, base, or just crack; it is the most addictive form of cocaine. Crack rocks offer a short but intense high to smokers...
, in 1988, Bobby and his younger brother Chico
Chico DeBarge
Jonathan Arthur "Chico" DeBarge is an American R&B singer and a younger brother of the members of the Motown family act DeBarge...
were arrested for intention to distribute drugs in their hometown of Grand Rapids.
Final years
Bobby served his five years in a federal penitentiary in WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and his brother Chico served five years in a federal penitentiary in Milan, Michigan
Milan, Michigan
Milan is a city in Monroe and Washtenaw counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,775 at the 2000 census. About 60% of the city's area and 75% of its residents are located on the Washtenaw County side adjacent to York Township in Washtenaw County; while 40% percent of the...
. After leaving prison and gaining sobriety
Sobriety
Sobriety is the condition of not having any measurable levels, or effects from, alcohol or other drugs that alter ones mood or behaviors. According to WHO "Lexicon of alcohol and drug terms..." sobriety is continued abstinence from alcohol and psychoactive drug use...
, DeBarge tried continuing his music career, but shortly after his release, Bobby died from complications of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
on August 16, 1995 at age 39. Bobby's final musical endeavor was the album titled It's Not Over, which included the songs "Thief in the Night," "It's Not Over," and "Good Times."
Personal life
According to an article in Vibe, he briefly dated LaToya Jackson, who was said to be the inspiration behind Switch's 1979 hit "I Call Your Name." With his death, he left behind a wife named Teri and two sons, Christian and Bobby III.Legacy
DeBarge's voice and the intro of his band's 1979 hit "I Call Your Name" was later sampled on rapper Rich BoyRich Boy
Marece Richards , better known by his stage name Rich Boy, is an American rapper from Mobile, Alabama. He is best known for the hit single "Throw Some D's". His self-titled debut album was released in early 2007.- Early career :...
's 2007 hit "Throw Some D's
Throw Some D's
"Throw Some D's" is the first single off the self-titled album of rap artist Rich Boy, and his most commercially successful song to date. The single was produced by Butta and Polow da Don....
", and in the Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
song "It Just Ain't Right".
Bobby Debarge wrote You and I, for Latoya Jackson