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Alexander O'Neal
Birth name Alexander O'Neal
Born November 14, 1953 (1953-11-14) (age 54)
Origin Natchez, Mississippi, United States
Genre(s) R&B/Soul
Occupation(s) Singer
Instrument(s) Vocals
Years active 1984-
Label(s) Tabu Records (1984-1993)
One World Records (1996-2001 )
Eagle Records (2001-2003) )
Eminence Records (2005- )
Associated acts The Time, The SOS Band, Cherelle

Alexander O'Neal (born November 14, 1953 in Natchez, Mississippi) is an American singer. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mississippi ( is a state located in the Deep South of the United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Tabu Productions was founded by Clarence Avant. Avant founded this label after Sussex Records went out of business in June 1975 and Internal Revenue Service auctioned Eagle Records are a leading independent Record label. Also trading as " Eagle Rock Entertainment " The SOS Band is an American Musical ensemble founded in Atlanta Georgia, in 1977. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Natchez is the county seat of and the largest and only incorporated city within Adams County, Mississippi, United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

O'Neal sings in the retro-style of soul in both dance-pop numbers and modern, urban ballads. The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living Dance-pop is a style of Electronic dance music and a subgenre of Pop music that evolved from Disco, circa 1981 that combines dance beats with a pop Mainstream urban is a term used to describe a radio format similar to an Urban contemporary format

Contents

Biography

O'Neal was born in Natchez, Mississippi, but moved to Minneapolis when he was 20. Natchez is the county seat of and the largest and only incorporated city within Adams County, Mississippi, United States. He joined a group called "The Mystics" and played the local coverband circuit. O'Neal spent a short time in a group "Enterprise" before being recruited into "Flyte Tyme", a band that included Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Monte Moir. James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III (born on June 6, 1959, in Minneapolis Minnesota) and Terry Steven Lewis (born Terry Lewis can refer to Terry Lewis (designer, designer featured on television's Home Shopping Network Terry Lewis member of American R&B and Monte Moir is the original and current Keyboardist for The Time, as well as Songwriter and producer for Janet Jackson, Alexander Later signed to Prince's Paisley Park label with their name changed to The Time, a disagreement with Prince led to O'Neal leaving the band and being replaced as lead singer by Morris Day. Prince, from the Latin root Princeps, is a general term for a Monarch, for a member of a monarch's or former monarch's family and is a The Time is a Funk and Dance-pop ensemble formed in 1981 They are close Prince Associates and arguably the most successful This is an article about the Prince-related musician If you are looking for Morris Day Sexual Pervert see List of Viz comic strips Morris E All Music Guide profiler John Floyd asserts that O'Neal was ousted for "looking 'too black'"). allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. [1]

O'Neal immediately formed a rock and roll band called "Alexander", and recorded a 12" single "Playroom" for a Chicago-based independent label. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States.

Three years later in 1984, O'Neal signed a deal with Clarence Avant's Tabu Records. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Clarence Avant (born February 25, 1931) is an American Music executive, Entrepreneur, and Film producer. Tabu Productions was founded by Clarence Avant. Avant founded this label after Sussex Records went out of business in June 1975 and Internal Revenue Service auctioned He did some backing vocals for other artists on the same label, including:

In 1985, O'Neal released his self-titled album, filled with streamlined grooves, including the funk jam, "Innocent". The SOS Band is an American Musical ensemble founded in Atlanta Georgia, in 1977. " Saturday Love " was a successful top ten UK and US R&B hit for Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle in 1985. " Never Knew Love Like This " was a successful hit for Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle in 1988, reaching #2 in the US R&B chart #26 in Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) An album or record album is a collection of related audio or Music tracks distributed to the public Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul The song was a funky Jam/Lewis groove, featuring The Secret - (Monte Moir, Cherrelle, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis). The song lasts nearly 10 minutes and consists of some exceptional guitar and keyboard solos, which also features the funk intermission of "Alex 9000".

Alex's 1987 release, titled Hearsay, includes the smash hit "Fake". Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Hearsay is a 1986 album by R&B musician Alexander O'Neal. The album peaked at #29 on the " Billboard 200 " and reached #2 on " "Fake" is arguably one of the best songs ever made to feature the "Minneapolis Funk" sound, the song was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Single of the Year (Male). See also Soul Train Music Awards The 1988 Soul Train Music Awards ceremony was hosted by Dionne Warwick The biggest single from the album was "Criticize" which was his biggest hit in the UK peaking at number four in the singles charts. " Criticize " is Alexander O'Neal 's biggest UK hit to date Hearsay sold over 700,000 copies in the UK alone.

The 1988 album, My Gift to You, was a successful holiday release, with the track "Our First Christmas" still popular during present day holidays.

In 1989, Hearsay was released once again but in the form of a remix album Alex All Mixed Up.

In 1990, he went on a world tour and is still to this day the only black singer to ever sell out 6 straight nights at London's Wembley Arena. One of these performances was put out on VHS Video called "Live In London". His raunchy on stage antics provided the inspiration for Madonna's controversial bed scene during her Blonde Ambition Tour some years later. Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American

In 1991, he released his third album, All True Man which charted very well in the UK (reaching number one on the album charts) but did not fare so well in America. The singles from the album were "All True Man" (A Top 5 R&B hit in the U. S. ), "Sentimental", "Shame On Me", and "What Is This Thing Called Love".

In 1992, his first greatest hits was released. This Thing Called Love was a top ten album in the UK.

In 1993, his final album with the Tabu Label was released. Love Makes No Sense suffered from the lack of input from long time producers Jam & Lewis. The album reached the top 20 in the UK but faded badly. This album includes the title track, "In the Middle," and the duet with Cherrelle on "Your Precious Love".

In 1995, another greatest hits compilation was released this time being called The Best Of. . . It featured three new tracks.

In late 1996, his first album on another label One World was released Lovers Again. This was not a success. It did feature some very good tracks such as "Do You Right", "Grind", and "No One But you". It also featured another duet with Cherrelle as they covered the track "Baby Come to Me".

Alexander O'Neal would not release another album until 2001, when signed to Eagle Records he came back with Saga of a Married Man which was a type of concept album. Producing the album was former Prince drummer Bobby Z.

Based in Minneapolis, he frequently commutes to Britain, which he sees as his "second home". His six albums have charted both in the UK and the US and he has enjoyed numerous sell-out tours. At present, O'Neal is signed with the UK based Eminence Records.

In 2005, he recorded his first live album, Alexander O'Neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo. It is a collection of his favorites and biggest hits from his career. With his personal love of performing on stage and constant tour support from his fans, it was a clear progression for him to deliver the live experience in the form of an album. He has handpicked tracks that traverse the success of his career singing alongside a 12 piece band.

O'Neal's first Live DVD, taken from a performance at London's Hammersmith Apollo in March 2006 is due out in January 2007.

The celebrity duet show Just the Two of Us is back for a new series in January 2007, which Alexander O'Neal will once again be taking part in, this time partnering Janet Ellis. Janet Ellis (born 16 September 1955) is a television presenter and former actress who appeared on BBC children's television during the 1980s He begins his UK Tour in March 2007 which will carry through till the end of April.

O'Neal was voted off by the British public on the celebrity duet show Just the Two of Us on January 3, 2007.

He duetted with popular tenor Russell Watson on the show leading to them recording "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" for Russell's That's Life album in March 2007. Russell Watson (born 24 November 1966) is an English Tenor who has released singles and Albums of both operatic The two then duetted at Watson's concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on April 3, 2007. The Royal Albert Hall is an Arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known

A New Album of Classic Love Songs was released in February 2008, in time for Valentine's Day. It featured a duet with Mica Paris on Atlantic Starr classic "Secret Lovers".

It also featured a new version of O'Neal's Hit "Saturday Love". He was joined by up and coming singer Bianca Lindgren who has done backing vocals for Alexander on his recent tour.


Personal life

O'Neal has eight children; Carlton, Catrice, Harmoneey Lee, Alexandra, Luise, Seanna, Al and Faith. He is married to Cynthia (his third wife).

Discography

Albums

Singles

Year Title Album UK US US R&B Ireland
1985 "Innocent" Alexander O'Neal - - 11 -
1985 "If You Were Here Tonight" Alexander O'Neal 13 - 17 20
1985 "A Broken Heart Can Mend" Alexander O'Neal 53 - 62 -
1985 "Saturday Love" (with Cherrelle) High Priority (Cherrelle album) 6 26 2 7
1986 "What's Missing Alexander O'Neal 90 - 8 -
1986 "You Were Meant To Be My Lady" Alexander O'Neal 98 - - -
1987 "Fake"
(1988 re-release)		 Hearsay 33
16		 25 1 -
23
1987 "Criticize"
(1998 re-release)(backing vocals - Lisa Keith)		 Hearsay 4
51		 70 4 14
1988 "Never Knew Love Like This" (with Cherrelle) Hearsay 26 28 2 -
1988 "The Lovers"" Hearsay 28 - 41 -
1988 "What Can I Say (To Make You Love Me)" Hearsay 27 - 68 -
1988 "Christmas Song"/"Thank You For A Good Year" My Gift to You 30 - - 24
1989 "Hearsay '89" Hearsay 56 - - -
1989 "Sunshine" Hearsay 72 - - -
1989 "Hitmix (Official Bootleg Mega-Mix)" All Mixed Up 19 - - 24
1990 "Saturday Love (re-issue)" (with Cherrelle) High Priority (Cherrelle album) 55 - - -
1991 "All True Man" All True Man 18 43 2 -
1991 "What Is This Thing Called Love" All True Man 53 - 19 -
1991 "The Yoke" All True Man - - 73 -
1991 "Shame On Me" All True Man 71 - - -
1992 "Sentimental" All True Man 53 - - -
1993 "Love Makes no Sense" Love Makes no Sense 28 - 13 -
1993 "In The Middle" Love Makes no Sense 32 - 26 -
1993 "Aphrodisia" Love Makes no Sense - - 48 -
1993 "All That Matters To Me" Love Makes no Sense 67 - - -
1996 "Let’s Get Together" Lovers Again 38 - - -
1997 "Baby Come To Me" (with Cherrelle) Lovers Again 56 - - -
1998 "Lovers Again" Lovers Again - - 54 -
2002 "You’re Gonna Miss Me" Saga of a Married Man - - - -
2006 "Lord" - - - -
2008 "Secret Lovers (with Mica Paris)" Alex Loves. The UK Albums Chart is a list of Albums ranked by sales in the United Kingdom. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. The Irish Singles Chart is the Republic of Ireland music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association " Innocent " was Alexander O'Neal 's first ever R&B hit reaching #11 in the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart " If You Were Here Tonight " was Alexander O'Neal 's first successful hit in the UK, reaching #13 in the UK Singles Chart and also his second R&B " Saturday Love " was a successful top ten UK and US R&B hit for Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle in 1985. " Criticize " is Alexander O'Neal 's biggest UK hit to date Lisa Keith is a Christian contemporary/Pop singer probably best known for her work as a backing vocalist for other artists and lead vocalist on Herb Alpert 's hit single from " Hearsay " is the title track of Alexander O'Neal 's 2nd album " Hearsay " which was released in 1987. " Never Knew Love Like This " was a successful hit for Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle in 1988, reaching #2 in the US R&B chart #26 in " The Lovers " was Alexander O'Neal 's 10th hit single and it reached #28 in the UK Singles Chart. " What Can I Say (To Make You Love Me " is Alexander O'Neal 's 11th top 40 single which reached #27 in the UK Singles Chart in 1988. " Hearsay " is the title track of Alexander O'Neal 's 2nd album " Hearsay " which was released in 1987. . . - - - -

References

  1. ^ Alexander O'Neal at Allmusic

External links

allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide.
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