Robbie Nevil

Robert S. "Robbie" Nevil (born October 2, 1958) is an American pop singer–songwriter/producer/guitarist. He is best known for his 1986 hit "C'est La Vie".

Life and career

Nevil was born in Los Angeles, California. He began playing guitar at age 11 and played in a series of cover bands. He began performing his original music and signed a publishing deal in 1983, writing songs for the Pointer Sisters, El DeBarge, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

In 1986 he received his first recording contract, signing with Manhattan Records, for whom he recorded his debut album with producers Alex Sadkin and Phil Thornalley. His debut single "C'est La Vie" reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling the album into the Top 40 on both the pop and R&B charts.^[1] His second single "Dominoes" hit #14 on the Hot 100 and #22 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart, while third single "Wot's It To Ya" peaked at #10 on the Hot 100 and Dance Club Play Singles charts, and #69 on the R&B chart.^[2]

In 1988, Nevil released his second album, A Place Like This (#118), and hit the Top 40 a fourth time, with the single "Back On Holiday" (#34). A second single, "Somebody Like You", failed to build on that success, peaking at #63.

In 1991, Nevil's third album, Day 1, was released to poor sales, with lead single "For Your Mind" stalling at #86. Second single "Just Like You" actually became his biggest hit since 1987—and his fifth and final Top 40 single to date, hitting #25 on the Hot 100—but Nevil's days as a recording artist were numbered.

With '80s pop music taking a back seat to Hip Hop and Grunge music, Nevil turned to writing and producing for acts like Babyface, Jessica Simpson and Destiny's Child.^[3] In 2006 he collaborated with Matthew Gerrard on the Smash Mouth album Summer Girl. Gerrard had been writing for Disney for some time and their work led to a partnership working on Disney projects including the High School Musical and Hannah Montana franchises.

Discography

Albums

• Robbie Nevil (1986) #37 U.S. Pop; #32 U.S. R&B
• A Place Like This (1988) #118 U.S.
• Day 1 (1991)

Singles

• "C'est La Vie" (1986) #2 U.S., #3 UK
• "Dominoes" (1987) #14
• "Wot's It To Ya" (1987) #10
• "Back On Holiday" (1988) #34
• "Somebody Like You" (1989) #63
• "For Your Mind" (1991) #86
• "Just Like You" (1991) #25

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart

References

External links

• Robbie Nevil at the Internet Movie Database
• Allmusic