![]() ![]() With Gerald out in front, the trio‘s full-bodied vocals poured over sleek beats earned them much fanfare and a bigger platform for the release of their follow up LP Bloodline. Gerald, his buddy Marc Gordon, and his little brother Sean recorded the material for what would become LeVert‘s debut LP I Get Hot. The O’Jays passed on the songs, but the cloud of rejection had a platinum lining. He composed song after song for his father’s group, but learned that sometimes it ain’t who you know. LeVert’s debut single was “I’m Still” and their debut album, “I Get Hot” was released in March of 1985.īy his late teens, Gerald had parlayed his child-play into a fledgling career as a songwriter. After many years of mimicking his father’s group, Gerald and his younger brother Sean, along with their childhood friend, Marc Gordon formed the group, LeVert. My dad tried to talk me out of it, but it was no use, my mind was made up,” recalled Gerald for his label biography. “ During those times, I knew that singing and performing was what I wanted to do. Summers were spent touring with The O’Jays allowed him to meet R&B legends like James Brown and one of his major musical influences, the late Marvin Gaye. He learned by watching, and more importantly, by doing. Young Gerald soaked up performance potion and sex-symbol serum like he was starved. They learned the abc’s of rhythm and blues from Daddy LeVert, and family friends like Teddy Pendergrass. ![]() Not that they were child prodigies per se, they were just damn good students. They were performing their own original songs by the time they were pre-teens. Their skateboards and bikes were their tour buses and limos. While growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, other kids played cops and robbers, but Gerald and his friends pretended to be The O’Jays. This is revealed when young Gerald discovers the gift of music. ![]() Then, imagine his elation when he realizes that the darkness that has hidden his father away will also be the light. Imagine the loneliness of this child who must share his daddy with the world. ![]() But, imagine a young child, son of a legendary entertainer, who relinquishes his father to the road at an early age. It may seem odd that a career that has spawned 17 gold and platinum records, 15 #1 hits as writer, producer, or performer and countless stellar collaborations, began in darkness. So yeah we met at the Apollo and we just became close after that point.” – Keith Sweat Then I came out like a year and a half later and I was able to meet one of my favorite artist of all time. He was one of my favorites, I remember when “Casanova” came out I was like I want to meet them. We had that long lasting relationship every since that point from when we first met. He embraced me like a brother, like he had known me forever. “One of my fondest memories was my first time meeting him at the Apollo. With over 15 albums, Gerald LeVert left a vast legacy. Gerald then went solo in 1991 with the debut album “ Private Line.” The title track hit #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart. Throughout their run, they achieved great success on Billboard’s R&B Charts. Gerald LeVert was one of R&B‘s most beloved artists who tragically passed in 2006 at age 40. We did an R&B Bridgez earlier this year to celebrate. Last year LeVert celebrated their 35th year since their debut. Today we honor the legend, that was Gerald LeVert on what would of been his 55th Birthday. ![]()
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