Alexander O'Neal (born November 15, 1953)
is an American
R&B singer, songwriter and arranger from
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez ( ) is the county seat of and only city in Adams County, Mississippi, United States. Natchez has a total population of 14,520 (as of the 2020 census). Located on the Mississippi River across from Vidalia in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, ...
.
O'Neal came to prominence in the mid-1980s as a solo artist, with eleven Top 40 singles on the US R&B chart, three of which also reached the Top 40 of the
''Billboard'' Hot 100. However, he enjoyed more mainstream success in the United Kingdom, achieving fourteen Top 40 singles on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
between 1985 and 1996, along with three top ten albums on the
UK Albums Chart
The Official Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales and (from March 2015) audio streaming in the United Kingdom. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the Official Charts ...
.
His solo singles, sometimes dealing with lost love, include "
If You Were Here Tonight", "
Fake", "
Criticize", "
The Lovers", "
(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me
"(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me" is a song written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It is the fifth single from the singer's second solo album, ''Hearsay'' (1987). The song's distinctive ...
", "
All True Man", "
Love Makes No Sense
''Love Makes No Sense'' is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. The album was O'Neal's final release for Tabu, and his first album made without formal production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Sales of the albu ...
" and "
In the Middle". He is also known for duets with
Tabu labelmate
Cherrelle such as "
Saturday Love" and "
Never Knew Love Like This".
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 dat ...
described O'Neal as having a "tough voice
hat
A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mech ...
has the same grain and range as that of
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blue ...
."
Early life
Alexander O'Neal was born November 15, 1953, in
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez ( ) is the county seat of and only city in Adams County, Mississippi, United States. Natchez has a total population of 14,520 (as of the 2020 census). Located on the Mississippi River across from Vidalia in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, ...
, United States,
just a few months after his father died. After graduating from high school in Natchez, he attended
Alcorn State University.
At the age of 20, he relocated to Minneapolis, where he performed with several bands including the Mystics and Wynd Chymes.
He became a member of Enterprise for a brief period before joining
Flyte Tyme
Flyte Tyme Records is the record label started by producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It is now part of Universal Records.
See also
* List of record labels
File:Alvinoreyguitarboogie.jpg
File:AmMusicBunk78.jpg
File:Bingola1011b.jpg
Lists of ...
, a band which included
Monte Moir,
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III (born June 6, 1959) and Terry Steven Lewis (born November 24, 1956) are an American R&B/pop songwriting and record production team. They have enjoyed great success since the 1980s with various artists, most ...
.
O'Neal released his debut album, the
eponym
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 ...
ous ''
Alexander O'Neal'', in 1985. Since then, he has released nine studio albums, six compilation albums and two live albums.
Early career
According to
Jimmy Jam, In 1980/1981 O'Neal (along with fellow members of the band Flyte Tyme) met with
Prince
A prince is a Monarch, male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary title, hereditary, in s ...
and
Morris Day at Perkins restaurant in Minneapolis to discuss forming a band that would be called
The Time that would be signed to
Prince
A prince is a Monarch, male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary title, hereditary, in s ...
under the
Warner Bros. label. Following a disagreement with Prince, O'Neal was replaced as lead singer by
Morris Day.
O'Neal subsequently formed an R&B band called Alexander and recorded a couple 12" singles, "Do You Dare/Playroom" and "Attitude" for a Chicago area independent label, based in Merrillville, Indiana, called Erect Records.
In 1984 O'Neal signed a deal with
Clarence Avant's
Tabu Records.
[ He did some backing vocals for other artists on the same label, including ]The S.O.S. Band
The S.O.S. Band (sometimes written as S.O.S. Band; abbreviation for Sounds of Success) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B and Boogie (genre), electro-funk musical ensemble, group who gained fame in the 1980s. They are best known for the songs ...
and Cherrelle.
1985–present: solo career
In 1985, O'Neal released his self-titled debut album under the production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well as Monte Moir. It included three singles that reached the Top 20 of the R&B Singles Chart. The same year, he also scored his first R&B Top 10 single with " Saturday Love", a duet with Cherrelle from her '' High Priority'' album. The song peaked at #2 on the R&B chart and #26 on the pop chart, while also beginning a string of UK hit singles for O'Neal by peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
in early 1986. This UK success continued when " If You Were Here Tonight", which had previously peaked at #81, re-entered the charts to reach #13 in March 1986.
In 1987, O'Neal released the album ''Hearsay
Hearsay evidence, in a legal forum, is testimony from an under-oath witness who is reciting an out-of-court statement, the content of which is being offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. In most courts, hearsay evidence is inadmi ...
'', which was certified gold in the US and yielded his biggest US hit in "Fake", which topped the R&B chart and reached #25 on the pop chart. The song also peaked at #7 on the Billboard dance chart. The follow-up single, "Criticize", peaked at #4 on the R&B chart and #70 on the pop chart. The third single, "Never Knew Love Like This", another duet with Cherrelle, peaked at #2 on the R&B chart and #28 on the pop chart. However, by this time O'Neal was enjoying much greater success in the UK, where ''Hearsay'' peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart, eventually being certified triple platinum and spawning six Top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart. The most successful of these gave O'Neal his biggest UK hit when "Criticize" peaked at #4 on the chart in late 1987. "Fake" became a UK Top 40 hit twice, first in 1987 followed by a remix ("Fake '88") in 1988. The "Hit Mix" (a megamix of O'Neal's hits) also reached the UK Top 20 in December 1989.
In December 1988 O'Neal released a Christmas album, '' My Gift to You'', featuring a cover of "The Christmas Song
"The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting by an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You") is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé.
The Nat King Cole Trio ...
" that reached the UK Top 40.
In 1991, O'Neal released his fourth album, '' All True Man''. The album was certified gold in the US, with the title track reaching #5 on the R&B chart and #43 on the pop chart. The album became his highest charting release in the UK, reaching #2 and going gold, although it ultimately sold fewer copies than ''Hearsay''. The title track reached #18 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1992, his first greatest hits album, '' This Thing Called Love: The Greatest Hits of Alexander O'Neal'', became another Top 5 success in the UK.
In 1993, O'Neal's final album with the Tabu label, ''Love Makes No Sense
''Love Makes No Sense'' is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. The album was O'Neal's final release for Tabu, and his first album made without formal production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Sales of the albu ...
'', was released. This was the first album made without production from Jam and Lewis. Although it reached the UK Top 20 and two singles from the album reached the UK Top 40, sales were not as strong as his earlier releases. After leaving Tabu O'Neal signed for Motown
Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''mot ...
, but no singles or albums were released. In 1995, another greatest hits compilation, ''The Best of Alexander O'Neal'', was released. A year later the compilation was re-released with three added tracks from O'Neal's short period with Motown.
In 1996, his first album with One World Records, ''Lovers Again
''Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire'' is the sixth studio album by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, released in May 1986, by Columbia Records, as the follow-up to her fifth studio album, ''Faster Than the Speed of Night'' (1983). Three years in the makin ...
'', was released. The album did not chart in the UK, though the single "Let's Get Together" reached the UK Top 40. In 2001, he released an album on Eagle Records
Eagle Records is a British record label, a division of Eagle Rock Entertainment, itself a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.
In the United Kingdom, the label's managing director is Lindsay Brown, former manager of Van Halen, while in th ...
, ''Saga of a Married Man
''Saga of a Married Man'' is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was originally released in early 2002 by Eagle as the follow-up to the 1996 album '' Lovers Again''. Recording sessions took place at Echo Bay ...
''. The album was produced by former Prince drummer, Bobby Z. In 2005, he recorded his first live album, ''Alexander O'Neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo'', featuring songs from throughout his career.
In 2008, O'Neal released '' Alex Loves...'', his first studio album in six years. The album peaked at #49 in the UK, and was his first charting album of new material in 15 years.
In 2014, O'Neal signed a new management deal wit
Howard Perl Management
(Beverly Hills), which awarded him extensive tours and a cast member o
Celebrity Big Brother
In June 2016, O'Neal collaborated with Manchester
Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of City of Salford, Salford to ...
-based funk band, Mamma Freedom, on the single, "Fake", a re-recording of his 1987 single of the same name. The single was released shortly before O'Neal embarked upon a UK tour, with Mamma Freedom providing support.
In 2017, O'Neal collaborated with Manchester
Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of City of Salford, Salford to ...
-based funk band Mamma Freedom on the album "Hearsay30", a re-recording of his 1987 album. The album was released on December 1, 2017.
In 2019, O'Neal made an appearance alongside Cherrelle at the Soul Train Awards to pay tribute to long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III (born June 6, 1959) and Terry Steven Lewis (born November 24, 1956) are an American R&B/pop songwriting and record production team. They have enjoyed great success since the 1980s with various artists, most ...
.
In 2021, O'Neal made an appearance alongside Whyso, O'Mega Red, and J Dore of The High Children on "Say His Name," a song dedicated to the memory of George Floyd.
Television
In 2006 O'Neal appeared on the '' Weakest Link, All Singing All Dancing Edition'', where he was the 5th contestant voted off the show. In 2006 and 2007, O'Neal participated on the British reality singing contest show '' Just the Two of Us''. In 2008 O'Neal took part in a '' Wife Swap'' UK special, swapping his wife Cynthia with broadcaster and TV personality Jilly Goolden. The programme included an in-depth interview with O'Neal by noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning magazine '' Blues & Soul''. The interview was featured in full in the August 2008 issue of the magazine.
In 2011 the TV One series '' Unsung'' profiled O'Neal's rise to fame, along with the story of Cherrelle.
In 2015 O'Neal took part in the Channel 5 reality series '' Celebrity Big Brother''. On Day 12, O'Neal decided to leave the show.
Honors and awards
O'Neal was honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis
Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with list of lakes in Minneapolis, thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. ...
nightclub First Avenue, recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.
Discography
Studio albums
* '' Alexander O'Neal'' (1985)
* ''Hearsay
Hearsay evidence, in a legal forum, is testimony from an under-oath witness who is reciting an out-of-court statement, the content of which is being offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. In most courts, hearsay evidence is inadmi ...
'' (1987)
* '' My Gift to You'' (1988)
* '' All True Man'' (1991)
* ''Love Makes No Sense
''Love Makes No Sense'' is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. The album was O'Neal's final release for Tabu, and his first album made without formal production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Sales of the albu ...
'' (1993)
* ''Lovers Again
''Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire'' is the sixth studio album by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, released in May 1986, by Columbia Records, as the follow-up to her fifth studio album, ''Faster Than the Speed of Night'' (1983). Three years in the makin ...
'' (1996)
* ''Saga of a Married Man
''Saga of a Married Man'' is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was originally released in early 2002 by Eagle as the follow-up to the 1996 album '' Lovers Again''. Recording sessions took place at Echo Bay ...
'' (2002)
* '' Alex Loves...'' (2008)
* '' Five Questions: The New Journey'' (2010)
* ''Hearsay 30'' (2017)
Tours
* ''30 Years of Hearsay Tour
''Hearsay'' is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was originally released in July 1987, on the labels Tabu and Epic as the follow-up to O'Neal's critically and commercially successful 1985 album ''Alexa ...
'' (2017)
References
External links
Official site
Official Facebook Page
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oneal, Alexander
1953 births
Living people
Alcorn State University alumni
American emigrants to England
American funk singers
American soul musicians
EMI Records artists
Musicians from Minneapolis
Musicians from Natchez, Mississippi
The S.O.S. Band
American contemporary R&B singers
African-American male singer-songwriters
20th-century African-American male singers
21st-century African-American male singers
Singer-songwriters from Mississippi
Singer-songwriters from Minnesota