Alexander O'Neal

Alexander O'Neal
Birth name	Alexander O'Neal
Born	November 14 1953 (1953--) (age 53)
Origin	Natchez, Mississippi, United States
Genre(s)	R&B/Soul
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	1984-
Label(s)	Tabu Records (1984-1993) One World (1996-2001 ) Eagle Records (2001-2003) ) Eminence Records (2005- )
Associated acts	The Time, The SOS Band, Cherelle

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.

Biography

O'Neal was born in Natchez, Mississippi, 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 Morris Day. This Minneapolis soul man cut his teeth in the Time but was bounced (for looking "being too black") before they signed with Warner Brothers.

O'Neal immediately 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 Clarence 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" (A Top 5 R&B hit in the U.S.), "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 title track, "In the Middle," and the duet with Cherrelle on "Your Precious Love".

In 1995, another greatest hits compilation was released this time being called The Best Of... It featured three new tracks.

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

Alexander O'Neal would not release another album until 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 drummer 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 is 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 is due out in January 2007.

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, this time partnering Janet Ellis. He begins his UK Tour in March 2007 which will carry through till the end of April.

O'Neal was voted off by the British public on the celebrity duet show Just the Two of Us on January 3, 2007.

He duetted with popular tenor Russell Watson on the show leading to them recording "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" for Russell's That's Life album in March 2007. The two then duetted at Watson's concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on April 3, 2007.

Personal life

O'Neal has eight children; Carlton, Catrice, Harmoneey Lee, Alexandra, Luise, Seanna, Al and Faith. He is married to Cynthia (his third wife).

Discography

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

External links

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

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