Gerald Levert

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Gerald Levert


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Gerald Edward Levert
Alias =
Born = birth date|1966|7|13|mf=y
Died = death date and age|2006|11|10|1966|7|13|mf=y
Origin = Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Instrument = Voice
Genre = R&B, soul
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, producer
Years_active = 1984-2006
Label = Atlantic, EastWest, Elektra
Associated_acts = LeVert, LSG, Rude Boys
URL = [http://www.geraldlevert.com GeraldLevert.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =
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Gerald Levert (July 13 1966 - November 10 2006) was an American R&B singer. His father, Eddie Levert, is the lead singer of the 1970s soul group The O'Jays. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B musical group comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert.

Early life & career

Gerald Levert was born to The O'Jays frontman Eddie Levert and his wife Martha in Philadelphia on July 13, 1966. Levert grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and due to his father's career, Levert would travel with the band regularly. While in high school, Levert's inclination towards music became apparent when he formed the R&B trio LeVert, with his younger brother Sean Levert (deceased, March 30, 2008) and friend Marc Gordon in 1984. The group proved to be very successful with four of its seven albums going platinum. These include, "I Get Hot" in 1985, "Bloodline" in 1986, "The Big Throwdown" in 1987, and "Just Coolin" in 1988. Among the group's memorable hits were, "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind", "Casanova", and "ABC-123" (not to be confused with the Jackson 5 hit of the same name).

olo Career & Collaborations

In 1991, Levert went solo with the album, "Private Line", which went to number one on the R&B charts. The following year, Gerald and his father, Eddie Levert, hit number one on the R&B charts with the single, "Baby Hold On to Me". Levert recorded a string of albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, that spawned the hit singles, "Thinkin' About It" (Pop #12), "Taking Everything" (Pop #11), "Funny", "Mr. Too Damn Good to You", "U Got That Love", and a remake of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly", along with gospel singer Yolanda Adams.

[
LSG's debut album, "Levert-Sweat-Gill] Gerald wrote and produced songs for other artists such as, Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, James Ingram, The Winans and The O'Jays. In the mid 1990s, he also helped launch the careers of three Cleveland-area R&B ensembles: The Rude Boys, Men at Large and 1 of the Girls. In 1997, Levert teamed up with fellow R&B singers Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, to form the supergroup, LSG. The trio released the album "Levert-Sweat-Gill", the same year, followed by "LSG2" in 2003. In 1999, Levert sang the chorus on the Chris Rock spoken-word comedy piece, "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)". One of Levert's last collaborations was with pianist Jim Brickman on the song "My Angel", for Brickman's 2006 album entitled "Escape".

Levert released his tenth album,"Voices", in 2005.

Personal life

Although never married, Levert had three children; LeMicah, Camryn,and Carlysia Levert. [ [http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/08/legal_tugofwar_erupts_over_lev.html Legal tug-of-war erupts over Gerald Levert's will - Cleveland Metro News – The Latest Breaking News, Photos and Stories from The Plain Dealer ] ] Carlysia, an aspiring singer, appeared on the MTV series "My Super Sweet 16", with her father in 2005.

Death

On November 10, 2006, Gerald Levert was found dead in his bed at his Newbury home when a cousin tried to wake him. [ [http://www.newsnet5.com/news/10324541/detail.html Gerald Levert Was Working On Book At Time Of Death - News Story - WEWS Cleveland ] ] Initial reports stated that Levert had died of an apparent heart attack. [ [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1558119,00.html R&B Singer Gerald Levert Dies of Heart Attack - Gerald Levert : People.com ] ] In February 2007, an autopsy report conducted by the Cuyahoga County coroner's office concluded that Levert's death was caused by a fatal combination of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs. The drugs in his bloodstream included the narcotic pain relievers Vicodin, Percocet, and Darvocet, along with anxiety medication Xanax and two over-the-counter antihistamines. The autopsy also revealed that Levert had pneumonia. The official cause of death was acute intoxication, and the death was ruled accidental. Gerald Levert was only 40 years old. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/10/AR2007021001108.html Accidental Drug Mix Said to Kill Levert - washingtonpost.com ] ]

Following the disclosure of Gerald Levert's cause of death, a family spokesman stated that all the drugs found in Levert's bloodstream were prescribed to the singer. Levert was taking the pain medication because of chronic pain from a lingering shoulder problem and surgery in 2005 to repair a severed Achilles tendon. Levert was also prescribed Xanax for anxiety attacks.

Shortly before his death, Levert completed work on what would be his final album, "In My Songs". The album was released on February 13, 2007. [ [http://cleveland.about.com/b/a/257942.htm Gerald Levert "In My Songs" ] ] In June 2007, a book Gerald was working to complete entitled, "I Got Your Back: A Father and Son Keep it Real About Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship", was released. The book was initially planned as a tie-in for a Levert album of the same name. "I Got Your Back" explores Gerald and Eddie’s father/son relationship, the necessity of male bonding, and importance of repairing fractured families. [ [http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2006/11/remembering_gerald_levert/ Remembering Gerald Levert : VIBE.com ] ] Levert was also working on reality show in which he was losing weight along with 12 of his female fans, who were training with him at his palatial home. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/10/AR2006111001802.html Sultry-Voiced R& B Balladeer, Songwriter Gerald Levert, 40 - washingtonpost.com ] ]

Posthumous Grammy Award nomination and win

On December 7, 2006, it was announced that Levert, along with soul legend Chaka Khan, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and R&B crooner Carl Thomas were nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocals for their collaboration on "Everyday (Family Reunion)", a song from the soundtrack of Tyler Perry's "Madea's Family Reunion". [ [http://www.dailynews.com/redcarpet/ci_4798217 LA Daily News - Full list of Grammy nominees ] ] He was nominated again for the Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for his single, "In My Songs". At the 50th annual Grammy Awards, it was announced that Levert had won the award for "In My Songs". Levert's brother and former founding Levert member Sean Levert (deceased) accepted in his late brother's behalf.

Awards/Nominations

*American Music Award
**1999, Favorite R&B/Soul Band, Duo or Group (Nominated) w/ LSG
**1993, Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist (Nominated)
**1988, Favorite R&B/Soul Single: "Cassanova" (Nominated) w/ Levert

*BET Awards
**2007, Favorite Male R&B Artist: (Nominated)
**2007, BET J Cool Like Dat: (Winner)

*Grammy Awards
**2008, Best Traditional R&B Performance: "In My Songs" (winner)
**2007, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: "Everyday (Family Reunion)" (Nominated) w/ Chaka Khan, Carl Thomas & Yolanda Adams
**1998, Best R&B Album By A Duo or Group: "Levert Sweat Gill" (Nominated) w/ w/ LSG
**1988, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: "Cassnova" (Nominated) w/ Levert

*Image Awards
**2004, Outstanding Male Artist (Nominated)
**2008, Best Duo or Group (Winner) as Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert

*Soul Train Awards
**2003, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Album: "The G Spot" (Nominated)
**1999, Favorite Band, Duo or Group Album: "Levert.Sweat.Gill" (Nominated)
**1995, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Album: "Groove On" (Nominated)
**1988, Favorite Band, Duo or Group Single: "Cassanova" (Winner) w/ Levert
**1998, Favorite Band, Duo or Group Album: The Big Throwdown (Winner) w/ Levert

Discography

Albums (Levert)

*1985: "I Get Hot"
*1986: "Bloodline" (#8 R&B, #192 Pop)
*1987: "The Big Throwdown" (#3 R&B, #32 Pop)
*1988: "Just Coolin" (#6 R&B, #79 Pop)
*1990: "Rope A Dope Style" (#9 R&B, #122 Pop)
*1993: "For Real Tho" (#5 R&B, #35 Pop)
*1997: "The Whole Scenario" (#10 R&B, #49 Pop)
*1998: "Love & Consequences"

Albums (LSG)

*1997: "Levert-Sweat-Gill" (#2 R&B, #4 Pop)
*2003: "LSG2" (#3 R&B, #6 Pop)

Albums (Gerald & Eddie Levert)

*1995: "Father & Son"
*2007: "Something To Talk About" (U.S. Sales as of July 12, 2007: 69,656 copies) [ [http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46325 Billboard Top 200] ]

ingles With LeVert

*1986: "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind" (#1 R&B)
*1987: "Casanova" (#1 R&B, #5 Pop)
*1987: "My Forever Love" (#2 R&B)
*1988: "Sweet Sensation" (#4 R&B)
*1988: "Addicted to You" (#1 R&B)
*1988: "Pull Over" (#2 R&B)
*1989: "Just Coolin" (#1 R&B, with Heavy D)
*1989: "Gotta Get the Money" (#4 R&B)
*1990: "Rope A Dope Style" (#7 R&B)
*1990: "All Season" (#4 R&B)
*1991: "Baby I'm Ready" (#1 R&B)
*1993: "ABC-123" (#5 R&B)

ingles With LSG

*1997: "My Body" (#1 R&B, #4 Pop)

olo Singles

*1988: "That's What Love Is" (#4 R&B, duet with Miki Howard)
*1991: "Private Line" (#1 R&B)
*1992: "Baby Hold On to Me" (#1 R&B, #37 Pop, duet with Eddie Levert)
*1992: "School Me" (#3 R&B)
*1992: "Can You Handle It" (#9 R&B)
*1994: "I'd Give Anything" (#4 R&B, #28 Pop)
*1995: "Answering Service" (#12 R&B)
*1995: "Can't Help Myself" (#17 R&B)
*1995: "How Many Times" (#55 R&B)
*1995: "Already Missing You" (#7 R&B, #75 Pop, duet with Eddie Levert)
*1996: "Wind Beneath My Wings" (#30 R&B, duet with Eddie Levert)
*1998: "Thinkin' Bout It" (#2 R&B, #12 Pop)
*1999: "Taking Everything" (#3 R&B, #11 Pop)
*1999: "Nothin' to Somethin" (#55 R&B)
*2000: "Baby U Are" (#31 R&B, #89 Pop)
*2000: "Mr. Too Damn Good" (#20 R&B, #76 Pop)
*2000: "Dream With No Love" (#84 R&B)
*2001: "Made To Love Ya" (#37 R&B)
*2002: "Funny" (#37 R&B)
*2002: "What Makes It Good To You (No Premature Lovin')" (#66 R&B)
*2003: "Closure" (#57 R&B)
*2004: "One Million Times" (#56 R&B)
*2004: "U Got That Love (Call It a Night)" (#30 R&B)
*2004: "Wear It Out" (#58 R&B)
*2005: "So What (If You Got a Baby)" (#49 R&B)
*2007: "In My Songs" (#21 R&B)

External links

* [http://www.geraldlevert.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.atlanticrecords.com/geraldlevert Atlantic Records site for Gerald Levert]
*allmusic|id=11:99m8b5f4tsqj~T1|label=Gerald Levert
* [http://www.cleveland.com/levert/ Gerald Levert] - Cleveland "Plain Dealer" special section
* [http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur31443.cfm Gerald Levert's Last Interview]
* [http://www.losdaddyenterprises.com Poet & Author Carlos A. Cook]

References

Persondata
NAME=Levert, Gerald
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American R&B singer
DATE OF BIRTH=July 13 1966
PLACE OF BIRTH=Philadelphia
DATE OF DEATH=November 10 2006
PLACE OF DEATH=Miami, Florida