LeVert

LeVert is a contemporary R&B group, formed in Ohio in 1984, comprising of Sean and Gerald Levert, the sons of O'Jays founder Eddie Levert, as well as Marc Gordon.

Career

In 1985, the group released their debut album, "I Get Hot", which included tracks whose vocals drew strong comparisons to those of Sean and Gerald Levert's father Eddie. "Bloodline" followed in 1986, and included the band's first big R&B hit with "Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop (Goes My Mind)", a track that went all the way to number one. However, the band's next album, 1987's "The Big Throwdown" became an even bigger success, on the strength of the hit single "Casanova", which gave the band a crossover hit onto the pop charts, peaking at number 5 in this market and making the UK Top 10. A pair of additional R&B top five singles, "My Forever Love" and "Sweet Sensation", were also released from this album. The band's success continued with their 1988 follow-up album "Just Coolin'". Both "The Big Throwdown" and "Just Coolin'" received gold certification.

Beginning in the 1990s, Gerald began dividing his time between LeVert, and his solo career, but the band released three more albums, and Rhino Records released a greatest hits compilation album in 2001.

Gerald died due to an accidental overdose of over-the-counter and prescription drugs in November 2006. [ [http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=59153&provider=top Gerald Levert dies ] ] , [ [http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/10/obit.levert/index.html R&B singer Gerald Levert dead at 40 - CNN.com ] ] He had been planning a reunion at the time of his death.Fact|date=June 2008

The group's reunion plans were still alive, as the group replaced Gerald with Dwight Thompson, a fellow Cleveland native who was a member of R&B group The Rude Boys which Levert discovered. [http://blog.cleveland.com/top_entertainment/2007/10/cleveland_rb_trio_levert_to_li.html

Sean Levert died at 39 following his brother's death on March 31, 2008, while serving jail time in the Cuyahoga County Jail for failing to pay child support. [ [http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/17170786.html R&B Singer Sean Levert Dies While Serving Time In Prison | Breaking News, Weather, Sports and Entertainment for Georgia and South Carolina | Local News ] ] [ [http://blackstarnews.com/?c=131&a=4387 Black Star News | Relaunch ] ]

Members

*Gerald LeVert (deceased)
*Sean LeVert (deceased)
*Marc Gordon
*Dwight Thompson

Discography

Albums

*1985: "I Get Hot" (Tempre)
*1986: "Bloodline" (Atlantic) - US R&B #8
*1987: "The Big Throwdown" (Atlantic) - US Pop #32, US R&B #3
*1988: "Just Coolin"' (Atlantic) - US Pop #79, US R&B #6
*1990: "Rope a Dope Style" (Atlantic) - US Pop #122, US R&B #9
*1993: "For Real Tho"' (Atlantic) - US Pop #35, US R&B #5
*1997: "Whole Scenario" (Atlantic) - US Pop # 49, US R&B #10
*2001: "The Best of LeVert" (Rhino)

ingles

*1985: "I'm Still" - US R&B #70
*1986: "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind" - US R&B #1
*1986: "Let's Go Out Tonight" - US R&B #14
*1987: "Fascination" - US R&B #26
*1987: "Casanova" - US #5, US R&B #1, UK #9
*1987: "My Forever Love" - US R&B #2
*1988: "Sweet Sensation" - US R&B #4
*1988: "Addicted to You" - US R&B #1
*1988: "Pull Over" - US R&B #2
*1989: "Just Coolin'" (feat. Heavy D) - US R&B #1
*1989: "Gotta Get the Money" - US R&B #4
*1989: "Smilin'" - US R&B #16
*1990: "Rope a Dope Style" - US R&B #7
*1990: "All Season" - US R&B #4
*1991: "Baby I'm Ready" - US R&B #1
*1991: "For the Love of Money/Living for the City" (with Troop & Queen Latifah) - US R&B #12
*1991: "Get a Little Love" - US R&B #63
*1993: "Good Ol' Days" - US Pop #78, US R&B #12
*1993: "abc-123" - US Pop #46, US R&B #5
*1993: "Do the Thangs" - US R&B #41
*1997: "True Dat" - US R&B #52
*1997: "Sorry Is" - US R&B #33

References