R&B star Gerald Levert dies at 40

 

Source: bbc.co.uk

 

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42303000/jpg/_42303788_levert_203_ap.jpg

Levert's most recent album was 2005's Voices

 

Grammy-nominated R&B star Gerald Levert has died aged 40, his record company has confirmed.

The singer, who was the son of O'Jays vocalist Eddie Levert, first found fame with the R&B trio LeVert, and scored a UK top 10 single with Casanova in 1987.

 

He also recorded as a solo artist, and worked with soul legends such as Anita Baker, Barry White and Patti LaBelle.

 

"Nobody was prepared for this," said LaBelle. "It's not for real to me that he is gone."

 

LaBelle, who said Levert was "like a son" to her, added that she hoped to perform at the singer's funeral.

 

Pop royalty

 

Levert was born in Philadelphia, and often accompanied his father on tour.

 

He set up his first band in 1986 with brother Sean and childhood friend Marc Gordon, naming it LeVert.

 

The trio were particularly successful in the US, scoring two gold albums in 1987 and 1988 before Levert left to pursue a solo career.

 

In 1992, he had an unexpected number one R&B hit, Baby Hold On To Me, with his father, which led to an entire album of duets, Father And Son, in 1995.

 

Levert also received a Grammy nomination for writing Barry White's comeback single, Practice What You Preach, in 1994.

 

"He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power," said record company Atlantic in a press statement.

 

"It's very sad," his friend and fellow R&B singer Will Downing told the Associated Press. "Gerald was a hard worker... He would touch the people, and that's really what it's all about."

 

Levert's family, including his four children, released a statement asking for privacy "at this very difficult time".

 

This was his one and only UK hit.

 

Levert - Casanova (UK No.9 August 1987)

[flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeDQKzjlWGM.swf

 

He also had some hits, as well as an album, as part of Levert/Sweat/Gill in 1998. Anyone remember 'Curious' and 'My Body'??

 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/ab/f4/c10eb220dca0dadaddc49010._AA200_.L.jpg

He was only 40? So young :(

 

I remember My Body http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc5MYXzETpk sorry cant do that embedding thing, was a wicked tune. And Curious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXD6ehasDNU

 

R.I.P.

He also had some hits, as well as an album, as part of Levert/Sweat/Gill in 1998. Anyone remember 'Curious' and 'My Body'??

 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/ab/f4/c10eb220dca0dadaddc49010._AA200_.L.jpg

Their name rings a bell but I couldn't sing you any of their tracks...