He collaborated with other R&B artists - Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill - and he also did an album with his father, Eddie, called Father and Son.įATHER AND SON (Duo): (Singing) It's gonna be strange living without you. LYDEN: Though he was known as purely a vocalist, he was also a songwriter and producer. And his father was one of the lead singers of that group. I think he has a legion of fans, but I think that it's very difficult to grow up in the shadow of a group as formidable as the O'Jays. I don't know that Gerald reached that status. SMITH: The O'Jays are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. SMITH: I think it did haunt him, frankly. And then there was the fact that his voice was virtually a replica of his fathers. LYDEN: He had a string of gold and platinum hits, but he never quite was able to attain the same crossover appeal as his father. A man that is hard to find, told you a thousand times. Later Gerald launched a successful solo career that included Knock Knock and his signature hit Baby, Hold on to Me. LYDEN: They had hits that included Casanova and ABC123.
But I love, I love, I love, I love, I love you babe. LEVERT: (Singing) I can't find the words to tell you so. Gerald's career began in 1986 as part of the trio Levert, when he sang with his brother Sean and a childhood friend. LYDEN: Levert got his performance chops from one of the best in the business, Eddie Levert, one of the members of the legendary R&B group the O'Jays. I mean women are brining him roses and throwing their underwear onto the stage and hotel keys, and I mean he was something to see. I mean Gerald would drop to his knees he would strip off his shirt. DANIELLE SMITH: Let me tell you, on stage it didn't slow him down one inch. GERALD LEVERT (Singer): (Singing) I ain't much on Casanova. Rhythm and blues crooner Gerald Levert had a knack for making his female fans swoon despite his hefty build. His voice has been described as raw and seductive. Before we end tonight's program, we note the passing of a young singer who you could say carried on the legacy of Mamie Smith.
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