Gil Saunders
Encyclopedia
Philadelphia native Gil Saunders grew up singing in the church at an early age. He patterned his style after David Ruffin
of The Temptations
and Marvin Junior of The Dells
. Encouraged by family and friends, Saunders pursued a career in music. He formed his first group as a teenager which eventually merged into the popular neighborhood act called New Day. During a live performance Saunders caught the attention of Philadelphia singer, songwriter and producer Harold Melvin. Following a tour of England, Harold Melvin recruited Gil Saunders to replace then lead singer David Ebo in his group Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
.
Gil Saunders joined the legendary Sound of Philadelphia recording act Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes as lead singer in 1982. They toured extensively overseas with acts like Billy Paul
, and The Three Degrees
. During a London concert tour Harold Melvin dedicated the single "If You Don't Know Me By Now
" to Pop group Simply Red
. It was at this performance that Gil Saunders was introduced as the new lead singer of Harold Melvin & Blue Notes. In 1984 Gil Saunders sang lead on the international Dance Music Hit "Today's Your Lucky Day" from the Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes album Talk It Up (Tell Everybody).
The album garnered three Billboard R&B chart hits including "Today's Your Lucky Day," "Don't Give Me Up," and "I Really Love You." Saunders also co-lead with Harold on the track "What We Both Need (Is Love)" which was popular on local Philadelphia radio station WDAS-FM
in Philadelphia.
The Talk It Up (Tell Everybody) album was recorded at Alpha International Studios in Philadelphia. The vocal lineup included Saunders with Harold Melvin, Bill Spratley, Dwight "Blackey" Johnson and Rufus Thorne. The video for "Today's Your Lucky Day" which also featured female vocalist Nikko, was filmed at a transformed club in South Philadelphia designed to look like a Las Vegas style Casino.
Saunders recorded and toured with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for ten years before pursuing a solo career. His legendary performances with the group are documented on a 1984 P.B.S. television special.
Presently Saunders is in the studio recording a new solo album. His most recent original recordings include the single "I Beg You to Stay", "Christmas", "In the Heat", "Let's Turn In"," In My Wildest Dreams", "Yes We Can".
Gil Saunders Solo Singles
David Ruffin
Davis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968...
of The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
and Marvin Junior of The Dells
The Dells
The Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
. Encouraged by family and friends, Saunders pursued a career in music. He formed his first group as a teenager which eventually merged into the popular neighborhood act called New Day. During a live performance Saunders caught the attention of Philadelphia singer, songwriter and producer Harold Melvin. Following a tour of England, Harold Melvin recruited Gil Saunders to replace then lead singer David Ebo in his group Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an American singing group, one of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The group's repertoire included soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco...
.
Gil Saunders joined the legendary Sound of Philadelphia recording act Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes as lead singer in 1982. They toured extensively overseas with acts like Billy Paul
Billy Paul
Billy Paul is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, most known for his 1972 number-one single, "Me and Mrs. Jones" as well as the 1973 album and single "War of the Gods" which blends his more conventional pop, soul and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences...
, and The Three Degrees
The Three Degrees
The Three Degrees are an American female vocal group. Formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,, the group has always been a trio though there have been a number of personnel changes and a total of fourteen women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney,...
. During a London concert tour Harold Melvin dedicated the single "If You Don't Know Me By Now
If You Don't Know Me By Now
"If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and recorded by the jersey soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which became their first hit after being released as a single in 1972 topping the R&B chart and peaking at number three on the Pop chart.The...
" to Pop group Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
. It was at this performance that Gil Saunders was introduced as the new lead singer of Harold Melvin & Blue Notes. In 1984 Gil Saunders sang lead on the international Dance Music Hit "Today's Your Lucky Day" from the Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes album Talk It Up (Tell Everybody).
The album garnered three Billboard R&B chart hits including "Today's Your Lucky Day," "Don't Give Me Up," and "I Really Love You." Saunders also co-lead with Harold on the track "What We Both Need (Is Love)" which was popular on local Philadelphia radio station WDAS-FM
WDAS-FM
WDAS-FM is an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station that features R&B and Classic Soul, and is licensed to the city of Philadelphia. The station is widely regarded as one of the originators of the Urban AC format which mixes R&B oldies with non-rap contemporary R&B and is now found in many major...
in Philadelphia.
The Talk It Up (Tell Everybody) album was recorded at Alpha International Studios in Philadelphia. The vocal lineup included Saunders with Harold Melvin, Bill Spratley, Dwight "Blackey" Johnson and Rufus Thorne. The video for "Today's Your Lucky Day" which also featured female vocalist Nikko, was filmed at a transformed club in South Philadelphia designed to look like a Las Vegas style Casino.
Saunders recorded and toured with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for ten years before pursuing a solo career. His legendary performances with the group are documented on a 1984 P.B.S. television special.
Presently Saunders is in the studio recording a new solo album. His most recent original recordings include the single "I Beg You to Stay", "Christmas", "In the Heat", "Let's Turn In"," In My Wildest Dreams", "Yes We Can".
Singles
with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes- 1984: Don't Give Me Up
- 1984: Today's Your Lucky Day
- 1984: I Really Love You"
Gil Saunders Solo Singles
- 2007: I Beg You To Stay (Heartfelt/Independent)
- 2007: Christmas (Heartfelt/Independent)
- 2008: "In the Heat", "Let's Turn In"," In My Wildest Dreams", etc.
- 2009: "Yes We Can"
External links
- Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes at Legacy Recordings
- Harold Melvin & Blue Notes at Soul Tracks