Representative Albums: "Back to Blue-Eyed Soul: Collected Works," "Missin' Twenty Grand," "Soldiers on the Moon"
Biography
David Lasley is a southern California singer who's released three albums; Soldiers, issued in late 1990 on the obscure Agenda label, was his first in seven years. His two EMI albums were Missing Twenty Grand and Raindance, both long out-of-print. The style of this high-voiced, technically unparalleled singer stems from Motown, the sound of his native Detroit, but his blend of theatricality and innocence gives his work unique warmth. In 1982, Twenty Grand contained a bold declaration of homosexuality, "Looking for Love on Broadway." His latest work is gender-free. Lasley has backed the likes of Luther Vandross, Roxy Music and James Taylor, but he's a stunning singer on his own. ~ Carlo Wolff, All Music Guide
Lasley started his music career in his teens, forming a singing group with his sister and achieving some success in the Detroit area. In 1970 he joined the cast of Hair, performing first in Detroit and then on tour. This led to a move to New York City, and performances on and off-Broadway.
Lasley started his career as a back-up singer at this time. Along with Vandross, he performed on many of Chic's and Sister Sledge's recordings.
In 1977 he began touring and recording with James Taylor. Other performers that he has worked with include Todd Rundgren, Melissa Manchester and Bonnie Raitt, who has recorded a number of Lasley's compositions.