Anthony Reynard Watson, (March 3, 1957-July 1, 2021) a native of

Mobile, Alabama Mobile ( , ) is a city and the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population within the city limits was 187,041 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 195,111 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 cens ...

, was an American

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...

singer Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

, who toured and recorded (off and on) with

The Chi-Lites The Chi-Lites (, ) are an American R&B/soul vocal quartet from Chicago, Illinois, United States. Forming at Chicago's Hyde Park High School in 1959, The group's original lineup consisted of singers Robert Lester, Eugene Record, Creadel Jones, ...

in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Career

Watson's career began with the group Return Ticket in Europe; he later toured with the group Praze. His

eponymous An eponym is a person, a place, or a thing after whom or which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. The adjectives which are derived from the word eponym include ''eponymous'' and ''eponymic''. Usage of the word The term ''epon ...

album was released by Amherst Records in 1985, as well as such

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...

as ''Solid Love Affair'', ''She Will Never Wait Forever'', and ''Missing You Tonight''. Watson met

Marshall Thompson James Marshall Thompson (November 27, 1925 – May 18, 1992) was an American film and television actor. Early years Thompson was born in Peoria, Illinois. He and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Laurence B. Thompson, moved to California when he was a ...

of the Chi-Lites' founder, and joined the group as lead vocalist in the late 1980s. He would leave the Chi-Lites twice during the nineties, with his predecessor Frank Reed returning in his absence. ''9 Days of October'' was released during his first leave; after a return and re-exit, he worked on an album produced by

Betty Wright Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional career in the late 1960s as a teena ...

that did not get released, entitled 'Ain't No End to the Rainbow'. He would continue to tour off and on with the Chi-Lites until 2002. He died on July 1, 2021, at the age of 64.

External links

Soulwalking
*

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

An in-depth interview with Anthony Watson at Soul Express
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, Anthony Reynard American soul singers American male singers Living people Musicians from Mobile, Alabama The Chi-Lites members Year of birth missing (living people)