Gregory Abbott

For other people with the same name, see Greg Abbott (disambiguation).
Gregory Abbott

Abbott in 2016
Background information
Born (1954-04-02) April 2, 1954
New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres Soul, R&B, Adult Contemporary
Occupation(s) Singer, musician, composer, record producer
Instruments Vocals, keyboard, piano, drums
Years active 1983–present
Labels Columbia
Legacy
Mojo Man Entertainment
Associated acts Whitney Houston, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Freddie Jackson, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, James Ingram, Terrence Trent D'Arby
Website gregoryabbott.com

Gregory Abbott (born April 2, 1954)[1] is an American soul and R&B singer, musician, composer and producer. Abbott is best known for his singles in the mid–1980s including his platinum single, Shake You Down, from his 1986 debut album.

Biography

Abbott's parents came from Venezuela and Antigua. He is a dual citizen of the US and Antigua. During his early years, Abbott's mother taught him how to play piano and encouraged him to develop vocally.

Before his career as musician, Abbott studied psychology at University of California, Berkeley and creative writing at Stanford; where he won a Wallace Stegner fellowship. Also, he has taught English at University of California, Berkeley.

One of Abbott's first opportunities in his studio was an album for an independent record label, which gave him the opportunity to do a duet with Whitney Houston. Continuing on, Abbott produced for the group EQ on Atlantic Records.

In 1986, Abbott released his first solo album, Shake You Down. The title track for the album was a success, going platinum and topping the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "I Got The Feelin’ (It's Over)" which reached Number 5 on the R&B chart. With the strength of its singles, the album propelled to platinum status and earned Abbott several awards.

Internationally, Abbott carried much success, winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival. The title track of his second album, "I'll Prove It To You" which was released in 1988, was featured on a Japanese movie soundtrack. In Belgium, he performed with Princess Stephanie of Monaco.[2]

Over the years much of his new music has been released via singles on his own Mojo Man Entertainment label. Abbott has continued with his R&B sound but in addition he has added a Caribbean/Soul feel as well. In 2011, an album entitled "Drop Your Mask" was released; and Abbott continues to release new singles two to four times a year.[3]

Personal life

Abbott was married to American singer Freda Payne from 1976 until 1979; they had a son, Gregory Abbott, Jr.

Discography

Albums

"Back to Stay"• "Prisoner of Love"• "I'll Prove It to You"• "Runaway"• "Unfinished Business"• "Crazy Over You"• "Let Me Be Your Hero"• "Take Me Back"• "Two of a Kind"• "She's an Entertainer"

Singles

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ "About Gregory Abbott".
  3. ↑ "Biography".
  4. ↑ Guinness British Hit Singles (13th ed.), London, UK: Guinness World Records Ltd, 2000, p. 69, ISBN 0-85112-111-X
  5. ↑ Rock.co.za
  6. ↑ Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffmann, Frank W (1994). Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993. Libraries Unlimited. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-56308-316-7.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/23/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.