Eddie Chacon
Encyclopedia
Eddie Chacon is an American
singer/songwriter
and a former member of the musical group Charles & Eddie. They had four Top 40 hits in the UK in the 1990s. Their biggest was the worldwide hit single, "Would I Lie to You?," taken from their debut album
, Duophonic
. "Would I Lie to You?" won three Ivor Novello Awards
in 1993 (for Best Contemporary Song, Best Selling Song and International Hit of the Year).
(Metallica
) and Mike Bordin
(Faith No More
) in Castro Valley, California
. He moved to Los Angeles
at age seventeen and started his career as a staff songwriter for CBS Songs. His first assignment was re-working Beatles songs for CBS. His demo of "All You Need Is Love
" fell into the hands of Columbia Records president, Mickey Eisner who signed him to his first major record deal. After working with producer Richard James Burgess (Buggles) he struggled to find his own voice. His LP was shelved after the disappointing performance of his début single, "All You Need Is Love." Meanwhile, his song writing career got off to a promising start. His first recorded song was the Feargal Sharkey
(The Undertones
) single, "Out of my System", released on Virgin Records in 1988.
Unable to let go of his singing dream, he moved to Miami and signed on with Luke Skyywalker Records (Luther Campbell
). His solo record "Sugaree" (released January 1989, under the pseudonym Edward Anthony Luis) stalled when he began working as a second engineer on 2 Live Crew
's controversial record, As Nasty As They Wanna Be
. After a move back to Los Angeles
The Dust Brothers started producing him in the hopes of signing him to their newly formed label Nickelbag Records. He was happy with the music but felt the project was moving too slowly so he moved to New York City and began working with famed rapper Daddy-O
(Stetsasonic
).
It was there that he had a meeting on a subway train with Charles Pettigrew
(chronicled in Charles & Eddie #33 UK hit, "New York City"). Shortly thereafter, they were signed as duo Charles & Eddie by a junior A & R person at Capitol Records, Josh Deutsch (who eventually founded Downtown Records
and RCRD LBL
in 2006). The duo had four Top 40 hits in the UK ("Would I Lie to You" #1, "New York City" #33, "House Is Not a Home" #29 and "24-7-365" #38) before disbanding in 1996 due to the untimely deaths of Charles's father and sister. Eddie went back to songwriting and co-wrote, Save our Love, which went on to be one of six Top 20 hits in the UK's third biggest record of all time in England by a girl group, Eternal
.
In 1998 Chacon wrote another Top 40 hit in the UK, "Searchin' for a Soul" (UK #28) recorded by Connor Reeves. In 1994, Chacon wrote a #1 hit in Scandinavia, "All It Takes" (1994 EMI/Medley Records) for the Danish singer Hanne Boel. Chacon eventually moved to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2001 to write and co-produce several chart toppers with Poul Bruun (discovered and produced, Gasolin']. Together they worked on Hanne Boel's #1 record "Beware of the Dog" (EMI/Medley 2002), co-produced and wrote #1 album, Erann DD, Thats the Way for Me (Columbia Records,2003) and #1 single by Erann DD, "Didn't I Tell You (That I Love You)". In 2004 he wrote both singles on Hanne Boels #2 album Abaco (Warner brothers Records, 2004), "While You Were Out" and "Wonderland". In 2007, Chacon wrote Top 40 hit, "Preacher", taken from Hanne Boel's, Private Eye.
Currently, Chacon and his spouse Sissy Sainte-Marie are residing in Berlin and fronting the underground electronic duo, The Polyamorous Affair. In 2009, they released their sophomore effort, Bolshevik Disco on Manimal Vinyl
Records. It was critically acclaimed by NME
, XLR8R
, Dazed & Confused (magazine)
, Big Shot, AU and Flux magazines. Their music has been featured on Ugly Betty
, Dexter
and NCIS Los Angeles. They have also recorded, "Putting out Fire
", the theme from Cat People
for the 2010 David Bowie
tribute record which also featured Duran Duran
, John Frusciante
, Devendra Banhart
, (Megapuss), Vivian Girls
and Carla Bruni
. In 2010 Chacon started his own record label called Winter Palace Records. Their first release is The Polyamorous Affair, Strange Bedfellows.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and a former member of the musical group Charles & Eddie. They had four Top 40 hits in the UK in the 1990s. Their biggest was the worldwide hit single, "Would I Lie to You?," taken from their debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Duophonic
Duophonic
*In synthesizers, capable of sounding two voices, or notes, at a time. Compare: monophonic, polyphonic.*Duophonic is also a term used to refer to a sound process by which a monaural recording is turned into a kind of "fake stereo" by splitting the signal into two channels, delaying the left and the...
. "Would I Lie to You?" won three Ivor Novello Awards
Ivor Novello Awards
The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Cardiff born entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and composing. They are presented annually in London by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and were first introduced in 1955.Nicknamed The Ivors, the awards take place...
in 1993 (for Best Contemporary Song, Best Selling Song and International Hit of the Year).
Biography
At age 12 he started his first band with neighborhood kids Cliff BurtonCliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....
(Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
) and Mike Bordin
Mike Bordin
Mike Bordin is the co-founder and drummer of rock band Faith No More. He is also known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne. As a left-handed drummer, he notably plays with a right-handed kit with his ride cymbal on the left...
(Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
) in Castro Valley, California
Castro Valley, California
Castro Valley is a census-designated place in Alameda County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, it is the fifth most populous unincorporated area in California, and the twenty-third in the United States...
. He moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
at age seventeen and started his career as a staff songwriter for CBS Songs. His first assignment was re-working Beatles songs for CBS. His demo of "All You Need Is Love
All You Need Is Love
"All You Need Is Love" is a song written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was first performed by The Beatles on Our World, the first live global television link. Watched by 400 million in 26 countries, the programme was broadcast via satellite on 25 June 1967...
" fell into the hands of Columbia Records president, Mickey Eisner who signed him to his first major record deal. After working with producer Richard James Burgess (Buggles) he struggled to find his own voice. His LP was shelved after the disappointing performance of his début single, "All You Need Is Love." Meanwhile, his song writing career got off to a promising start. His first recorded song was the Feargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey is a singer from Northern Ireland who first found fame as the lead vocalist of pop punk band The Undertones...
(The Undertones
The Undertones
The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...
) single, "Out of my System", released on Virgin Records in 1988.
Unable to let go of his singing dream, he moved to Miami and signed on with Luke Skyywalker Records (Luther Campbell
Luther Campbell
Luther R. Campbell , also known as Luke Skyywalker, Uncle Luke or Luke, is a record label owner, rap performer , and actor...
). His solo record "Sugaree" (released January 1989, under the pseudonym Edward Anthony Luis) stalled when he began working as a second engineer on 2 Live Crew
2 Live Crew
2 Live Crew was a hip hop group from Miami, Florida. They caused considerable controversy with the sexual themes in their work, particularly on their 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be.- Early career :...
's controversial record, As Nasty As They Wanna Be
As Nasty As They Wanna Be
As Nasty As They Wanna Be is the third album by Miami rap group 2 Live Crew. It was released in 1989, and became their largest seller, going 2x Platinum. In 1990, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that the album was legally obscene; this ruling was later...
. After a move back to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
The Dust Brothers started producing him in the hopes of signing him to their newly formed label Nickelbag Records. He was happy with the music but felt the project was moving too slowly so he moved to New York City and began working with famed rapper Daddy-O
Daddy-O
Daddy-O is a 1958 B-movie starring Dick Contino. It was directed by Lou Place and written by David Moessinger. The film is notable for its soundtrack as being the debut film score for composer John Williams...
(Stetsasonic
Stetsasonic
Stetsasonic was an American hip hop group formed in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. It is remembered as one of the first hip hop crews to use a live band, and the group's positive, uplifting lyrics made it forerunners of alternative hip hop and jazz hip...
).
It was there that he had a meeting on a subway train with Charles Pettigrew
Charles Pettigrew
Charles Pettigrew was an American singer.-Career:Previously, Pettigrew had lived in Boston where he was lead singer of the band Down Avenue...
(chronicled in Charles & Eddie #33 UK hit, "New York City"). Shortly thereafter, they were signed as duo Charles & Eddie by a junior A & R person at Capitol Records, Josh Deutsch (who eventually founded Downtown Records
Downtown Records
Downtown Records is a record label owned and operated by Downtown Music LLC. Music on the Downtown label is distributed by Universal Music's Fontana Distribution and, for certain releases, as a joint venture with Atlantic Records and also for select releases, by Alternative Distribution Alliance...
and RCRD LBL
RCRD LBL
RCRD LBL is the premier online destination for free, curated, legal MP3 downloads from the hottest marquee and emergent artists. RCRD LBL delivers free music downloads and more directly to readers with multiple personalized email properties, including the RCRD of the Day email newsletter, RCRD...
in 2006). The duo had four Top 40 hits in the UK ("Would I Lie to You" #1, "New York City" #33, "House Is Not a Home" #29 and "24-7-365" #38) before disbanding in 1996 due to the untimely deaths of Charles's father and sister. Eddie went back to songwriting and co-wrote, Save our Love, which went on to be one of six Top 20 hits in the UK's third biggest record of all time in England by a girl group, Eternal
Eternal (band)
Eternal were an English R&B girl group formed in 1992. The group featured two sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, alongside Kelle Bryan and Louise Nurding...
.
In 1998 Chacon wrote another Top 40 hit in the UK, "Searchin' for a Soul" (UK #28) recorded by Connor Reeves. In 1994, Chacon wrote a #1 hit in Scandinavia, "All It Takes" (1994 EMI/Medley Records) for the Danish singer Hanne Boel. Chacon eventually moved to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2001 to write and co-produce several chart toppers with Poul Bruun (discovered and produced, Gasolin']. Together they worked on Hanne Boel's #1 record "Beware of the Dog" (EMI/Medley 2002), co-produced and wrote #1 album, Erann DD, Thats the Way for Me (Columbia Records,2003) and #1 single by Erann DD, "Didn't I Tell You (That I Love You)". In 2004 he wrote both singles on Hanne Boels #2 album Abaco (Warner brothers Records, 2004), "While You Were Out" and "Wonderland". In 2007, Chacon wrote Top 40 hit, "Preacher", taken from Hanne Boel's, Private Eye.
Currently, Chacon and his spouse Sissy Sainte-Marie are residing in Berlin and fronting the underground electronic duo, The Polyamorous Affair. In 2009, they released their sophomore effort, Bolshevik Disco on Manimal Vinyl
Manimal Vinyl
Manimal Vinyl is a Los Angeles based record label founded in 2006 by fashion stylist, Paul Beahan. They are known for releasing underground and experimental pop music. They were originally known as a folk label that makes annual tribute records for worldwide charities, having eventually switched to...
Records. It was critically acclaimed by NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, XLR8R
XLR8R
XLR8R is a magazine and website thatcovers music, culture, style, and technology. It was founded as anewsprint ‘zine in 1993 by publisher Andrew Smith in Seattle; themagazine currently has offices in San Francisco and New York...
, Dazed & Confused (magazine)
Dazed & Confused (magazine)
Dazed & Confused is a British style magazine, that was set up in 1992 and published monthly. Its founding editors were Jefferson Hack and Rankin...
, Big Shot, AU and Flux magazines. Their music has been featured on Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
, Dexter
Dexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
and NCIS Los Angeles. They have also recorded, "Putting out Fire
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
"Cat People " is a song by David Bowie, the title song of the 1982 film Cat People. It was written by Bowie with producer Giorgio Moroder. A re-recorded version of the song appears on the album Let's Dance...
", the theme from Cat People
Cat People (1982 film)
Cat People is a 1982 American erotic horror film directed by Paul Schrader and starring Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell and John Heard. The film co-stars Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley, Jr. and John Larroquette. Jerry Bruckheimer served as executive producer...
for the 2010 David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
tribute record which also featured Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, John Frusciante
John Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
, Devendra Banhart
Devendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
, (Megapuss), Vivian Girls
Vivian Girls
Vivian Girls are an American band from Brooklyn, New York.- History :Vivian Girls, named after the magnum opus of outsider author Henry Darger, started in Brooklyn, NY in March 2007 as the trio of Cassie Ramone ; Katy "Kickball Katy" Goodman; and Frankie Rose...
and Carla Bruni
Carla Bruni
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is an Italian-French songwriter, singer, actress, and former model...
. In 2010 Chacon started his own record label called Winter Palace Records. Their first release is The Polyamorous Affair, Strange Bedfellows.
Albums
- 1987: Chico Debarge (Album) (Motown) Kiss Serious (songwriter, Love Addiction)
- 1988: Feargal Sharkey (album) (Virgin) Wish (songwriter) Out of my System
- 1989: Tyren Perry (album) (Columbia Records) (songwriter) You are my Everything
- 1989: Edward Anthony Luis (album) (Luke Skyywalker Records) (produced and wrote)
- 1992: Charles & Eddie, Duophonic (album) (Capitol/Stateside) UK #19, US #153
- 1993: True Romance soundtrack (Wounded Bird)
- 1993 Addams Family Values soundtrack (Supernatural Thing)
- 1993 Super Mario Bros. Soundtrack (Stop the world)
- 1994: Hanne Boel, Misty Paradise (album) (EMI/Medley) (songwriter)
- 1995: Charles & Eddie, Chocolate Milk (album) (capitol/stateside)
- 1996: Butchie Swaine and the Unborn, The Book of Revelations According to: (album) (Red Ant)
- 1998: Trine Rein (album producer) (EMI) To Find the Truth
- 2001: S Club 7 (songwriter) (Polydor) Good Times
- 2002: Hanne Boel, Beware of the Dog (album) (Emi/Medley) (songwriter)
- 2003: Erann DD, That's the Way for Me (album) (Columbia Records) (co-produced and wrote) Denmark #1
- 2004: Hanne Boel, Abaco (album) (EMI/Medley) (wrote and co-produced)
- 2007: Hanne Boel, Private Eye (album) (Warner Music) (songwriter)
- 2008: The Polyamorous Affair (album) (Winter Palace Records)
- 2009: The Polyamorous Affair, Bolshevik Disco (album) (Manimal Vinyl/Winter Palace Records)
- 2010: David Bowie Tribute, (Manimal) (Produced The Polyamorous Affair, VOICEsVOICEs, and Laco$te)
- 2010: The Polyamorous Affair, Strange Bedfellows (Album) (Winter Palace Records)
- 2011: LACO$TE (album) (Manimal Vinyl) (Producer)
Singles
- 1987: "All You Need is Love" (single) (Columbia Records)
- 1989: "You are my Everything", Tyren Perry (single) (Columbia Records)
- 1992: "Would I Lie to You?" UK #1, US #13
- 1993: "N.Y.C. (Can You Believe This City)" UK #33
- 1993: "House Is Not a Home" UK #29
- 1994 Hanne Boel (single) "All it Takes", Denmark #1
- 1994 Eternal (single) "Save our Love", UK #8
- 1995: "24-7-365" UK #38
- 1995: Charles & Eddie (single) "Jealousy" UK top 40
- 1998 Connor Reeves (single) "Searchin' for a Soul", UK#28
- 1999: Aaron Neville (single) "Little Piece of Heaven"
- 2003: Erann DD (single) "Didn't I Tell You (that love you)", Denmark #1
- 2005: "Would I Lie to You?" remix (shown as Musikk feat. Eddie Chacon) - a #1 hit in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
- 2007: Hanne Boel, "Preacher" (single) Denmark top 40