Alexander O'Neal: Difference between revisions

Alexander O'Neal (born November 14 1953 in Natchez, Mississippi) is an American singer.

O'Neal sings in the retro-style of soul when it comes to doing it in both the dance-pop numbers and modern, urban ballads. He is considered to be one of the very best artists that former, fellow The Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had ever produced for.

O'Neal was born in Natchez, Mississipi, but moved to Minneapolis when he was 20. He joined a group called "The Mystics" and played the local coverband circuit. O'Neal spend 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. 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 Moris Day.

O'Neal immediatly formed a rock and roll band called "Alexander", and recorded a 12" single "Playroom" for a Chicago-based independent label.

Three years later in 1984, O'Neal signed a deal with Clearance Avant's Tabu Records. He did some backing vocals for other artists on the same label, including:

• The SOS Band - can be heard on one their most famous hits "The Finest"
• Cherrelle - numerous duets, including hits Saturday Love and Never Knew Love Like This

In 1985 O'Neal released his self-titled album, filled with streamlined grooves, including the funk jam, Innocent. 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. 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). The biggest single from the album was Criticize which was his biggest hit in the UK peaking at number four in the singles charts. "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.

In 1991 he released his third album, All True Man which charted very well in the UK (reaching number in the album charts) but did not fare so well in America. The singles from the album were "All True Man" "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 duet with Cherelle on "Your Precious Love".

In 1995 another greatest hits compliation was released this time being called "The Best Of..". It featured three new tracks, none were released.

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

Alexander O'Neal would not release another album till 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 guitarist 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's 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 in due out in January 2007. It includes a duet with J.C. Bentley, Saturday Love.

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. He begins his UK Tour in March 2007 which will carry through till the end of April.

O'Neal has five children; Carlton, Catrice, Harmoneey Lee, Alexandra and Faith

Albums:

• 1985 - Alexander O'Neal #19 UK, #91 US
• 1987 - Hearsay #4 UK, #29 US
• 1988 - All Mixed Up
• 1988 - My Gift To You #53 UK, #149 US
• 1991 - All True Man #2 UK, #52 US
• 1992 - This Thing Called Love: The Greatest Hits #4 UK
• 1993 - Love Makes No Sense #14 UK
• 1995 - The Best of Alexander O'Neal
• 1996 - Lovers Again
• 2002 - Saga of a Married Man
• 2004 - Greatest Hits
• 2005 - Live At The Hammersmith Apollo, London

Singles:

• Official Myspace Page
• Alexander O'Neal
• Billboard
• Soul System
• SoulTracks.com profile of Alexander O'Neal
• Myspace fansite