Debarge family members. As a female vocalist amongst a sea of testosterone in her brotherly contemporaries, Bunny needed a competitive edge and hardened spirit to hold her own. Tommy DeBarge 💔 September 6, 1957 – October 21, 2021 #TommyDeBarge — Kiande K. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Dec 27, 2024 · The DeBarge family story begins in Detroit, Michigan with their parents Robert Louis DeBarge Sr and Etterlene Abney. What are the Debarge Family members doing now? The Debarge Family members are still active in the music industry, with some performing as solo artists and others working together on various projects. A girl, four boys, and another child: Lakeysha, Mark Jr. DeBarge will mainly be recognized as the focal point and primary lead singer of the family music group, DeBarge, leading songs like All This Love, Rhythm of The Night, and Stay with Me. 3. As of January 2022, 170 episodes have aired across 15 seasons. Tommy now joins his brother Bobby in the heavenly band. Her contribution to music and her unwavering support for her talented children Explore a detailed examination of the harrowing DeBarge Family Abuse, shedding light on scandal, allegations, and their impact on music history. El DeBarge also found solo fame in the 1980s with singles such as "Who's Johnny" and "Love Always", and with collaborations on hits by Quincy Jones, Tone Loc, and Fourplay. He is best known for his work as an original member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge. The musical group's biggest success was the 1985 hit "Rhythm of the Night," but the personal lives of the DeBarges have been defined by discord. He is best known for his work as member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge. Robert Louis DeBarge, Sr. DeBarge also just found out a major film studio is going to produce a miniseries about her family, a la the 1992 ABC five-part series on the Jackson family. He wanted to start a funk-soul band called Switch. Contact family members by unlocking the full list of 4 relatives for William. [1] He is also known for writing the James Curtis DeBarge was the seventh child born to Robert DeBarge Sr. James joined the group a year later for their 1982 second album. The DeBarge family has a rich history in the music industry, with members who have made significant contributions to the world of music. According to Live About, the two brothers were not the only members of the family having trouble with drugs. [2] The 1988 arrest of Jonathan DeBarge marked the end of the DeBarge family's pop success. , Devyn, Piper, Michael, and Giovanni Debarge. He met Etterlene Abney, who is African American, in Detroit, Michigan in th DeBarge, a new documentary, delves into the lives of James and Randy DeBarge, former members of the iconic 1980s R&B group, living on the streets of Los Angeles. Etterlene DeBarge later married a second time to Puerto Rican George Rodriguez, leading to the erroneous belief that the DeBarge family was half-Hispanic; contrary to popular belief, they are not of Latino descent. A talented instrumentalist and vocalist, he began playing in local bands, along with his younger brother Tommy. Discover the Bobby DeBarge’s 9 Siblings Ranked Oldest to Youngest here. Their music and story live on. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Eldra Patrick DeBarge was born the fifth of eigh… Read Full Bio ↴Born in Detroit, Michigan, Eldra Patrick DeBarge was born the fifth of eight brothers and sixth of ten DeBarge family members. BLIGE OR DEBARGE Denise Melendrez and 23 others 24 reactions · 75 comments George Mac Bean Group Soul Funky & Disco Music 1y · Public Mark "Marty" DeBarge (born June 19, 1959) is an American R&B / soul singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Blige, and Ashanti. The 1988 arrest of Jonathan DeBarge marked the end of the DeBarge family's pop success. His brother Tommy later joined the group. Rhythm of the Night became the group's best-selling album ever, although some contended that Eldra was the only member present on the album with the exception of the title track, which became a top five hit in several countries including the US and At 15, DeBarge was introduced to heroin, which became his lifelong addiction. Rest In Perfect Peace Tommy DeBarge; a member of the band Switch, and a member of the DeBarge family. They moved from Detroit to Grand (L) Etterlene DeBarge; (R) Etterlene’s children, R&B group, DeBarge I Love Old School Music family…we are deeply saddened to report the passing of Etterlene DeBarge, the beloved matriarch of the iconic DeBarge family. The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Another top profile is William R Debarge, who also has nearby relatives, including Lauren Debarge, Jane Debarge, and Christopher Debarge. The DeBarge family experienced profound trauma stemming from physical and emotional abuse perpetrated by their father, Robert DeBarge Sr. This list may not reflect recent changes. [7] “A Dream” is a beautiful ballad by the family R&B group DeBarge, led by the soulful voice of Bunny DeBarge, the group’s only female member. [4] Etterlene DeBarge, the Matriarch of the DeBarge Family, Dies at 88 A noted gospel singer, she released two albums and her memoir "Other Side of Pain” in 2007. What are the Debarge Members of the family doing now? The Debarge Members of the family are nonetheless lively within the music trade, with some performing as solo artists and others working collectively on numerous tasks. Prepare to be transported into a rich & fascinating history on the DeBarge Siblings that exist. , against their mother, Etterlene "Mama D" DeBarge, and the children, which contributed to long-term family dysfunction. The group originally featured lead vocalist El DeBarge (born Eldra Patrick DeBarge, June 4, 1961), his sister Bunny DeBarge (born Etterlene DeBarge, March 15, 1955), and Tommy DeBarge (Thomas Keith Bebarge), Founding member of the '70s R&B group Switch singer and bass guitarist died on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Read about the early life and career of R&B singer Chico DeBarge of the Motown DeBarge family in this biography spanning his musical accomplishments. Switch signed with Motown Records in 1978. The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jakada (@Kiandesworld72) October 21, 2021 The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan. SWITCH band member Tommy DeBarge is dead at 64 after his secret battle with kidney failure. In addition to being a drummer and percussionist, he plays a variety of wind instruments, such as the saxophone, trumpet, flugelhorn and flute. What’s the Debarge Household’s legacy? Discover the rise, struggles, and redemption of the DeBarge family, a Motown legend marked by fame, hardship, and faith. The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Keep reading the article to learn everything about him. Despite the major success of the three acts in the family — the band Switch, the group DeBarge and solo artist Chico DeBarge, the dark cloud looms large. Bobby joined in 1987, following the departures of Bunny DeBarge was an American R&B, soul, and pop family vocal group formed in 1979 by siblings from the DeBarge family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and active until 1989 as one of Motown Records' few successful acts during the 1980s. ” However, things went sour with him receiving a six-year prison sentence on drug DeBarge - I Like It [1982] Wikipedia: DeBarge was an American musical recording group composed of several members of the DeBarge family. Tommy and Bobby left Switch to mentor their siblings in the family band, DeBarge, and founding member of Switch, Philip Ingram went on to continue the band with new members. The amount of drug abuse and number of incarcerations within this family is mind blowing. Etterlene, a gospel singer and loving mother of ten, peacefully passed away at the age of 88. The DeBarges are a big family. The musician’s passing comes after his brother Bobby’s tragic AIDS-related death in 1995. She was the author of Other Side of the Pain, which documented her struggles in her marriage to her children's father and her children's rise to fame and struggles under the spotlight. Etterlene Louise Rodriguez (previously DeBarge, née Abney; October 13, 1935 – February 16, 2024) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and the matriarch of the American R&B/soul vocal group DeBarge. At 15, DeBarge was introduced to heroin, which became his lifelong addiction. 16K members 󱎖 Which version of the song 'A Dream' is better, DeBarge's original or Mary J. Motown signed a band called Switch. Sep 3, 2024 · The DeBarge family had an amazing ten siblings, including Etterlene “Bunny” DeBarge, Bobby, Tommy, Randy, Marty, El, James, Jonathan “Chico”, Darrell, and Carol 1. In addition to various solo projects completed by members of the family, DeBarge was active between 1979 and 1989. Yolanda Duckie DeBarge is the first wife of the late musician Thomas DeBarge who passed away back in the early ’90s. Both? EVERYTHING started out beautifully in the summer of 1978. It sold over one million copies. The group originally consisted of El, Mark, Randy, and Bunny. . and Etterlene Abney DeBarge. They clicked The DeBarge Family: Music Stars The DeBarge family started their musical journey in the 1970s. Blige's remake? Ron Mick Yates R&B/Slow Jams (Old and New) 17w · Public WHO DID IT BETTER??? A DREAM - MARY J. — Motown music group DeBarge quickly became a household name in the 1980s with hit singles like “Rhythm of the Night,” “All This Love,” and “I Like It,” but, life DeBarge triumphed above the odds to become one of Motown's most successful acts of the 1980s, hitting the top of the R&B chart twice. Mark is the father of six children. Robert, a white Army veteran and Etterlene, a Black homemaker and gospel Oct 2, 2025 · The last 30 years have been filled with both triumph and tragedy for the DeBarge family, shaped in large part by the continuing substance abuse problems faced by several family members. Bunny DeBarge is the only family member we see Robert Sr. In 1975, Bobby left Grand Rapids to start the funk-soul band, Switch (Tommy later joined the band), which first went by the moniker, First Class. Among the members were two young men from the family, Bobby and Tommy DeBarge. Their first album was a huge success. After his parents separated and divorced in the early 1970s, Bobby DeBarge and his family relocated to Grand Rapids. He has made his money through his work as a singer, songwriter, and producer. The DeBarge family had an amazing ten siblings, including Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge, Bobby, Tommy, Randy, Marty, El, James, Jonathan "Chico", Darrell, and Carol1. Is Randy Debarge related to the Jackson family? No, Randy Debarge is not related to the Jackson family. He died at the hospital, the news was confirmed by Tommy's family members on social media. DeBarge was an American musical recording group composed of several members of the DeBarge family. Bobby DeBarge left Grand Rapids in 1975. sexually abuse in the film, but at least the oldest 5 children were also sexually abused by Robert according to Greg from Switch and other stories. In 1975, musician Bobby DeBarge left Grand Rapids to start the funk- soul band Switch, which first went by the name First Class. The DeBarge family had one more album, Bad Boys, although Eldra and Bunny were not on the album. Siblings Randy, Marty, Tommy, and Bunny DeBarge were reportedly dealing with alcohol and drug abuse during this time. Bunny was the lead vocalist for DeBarge’s R&B ballad Feb 25, 2025 · The recording group comprised of seven siblings, Bobby DeBarge, Bunny DeBarge, Chico DeBarge, El DeBarge, James DeBarge, Mark DeBarge, and Randy DeBarge created timeless classics in the ‘70s and ‘80s that were eventually sampled by artists like Notorious BIG, Mary J. As many as seven members of the DeBarge family were part of the band — best known for the 1985 smash "Rhythm of the Night," which No. Also known as The DeBarges, the DeBarge Family Origin Grand Rapids, Michigan Genres R B, soul, funk Years active 1979–1989 Pages in category "DeBarge family" The following 13 pages are in this category, out of 13 total. DeBarge, a new documentary, delves into the lives of James and Randy DeBarge, former members of the iconic 1980s R&B group, living on the streets of Los Angeles. Like all of his siblings, he was born and raised on the East Side of Detroit, Michigan. Mark DeBarge Mark "Marty" DeBarge (born June 19, 1959) is an American R&B/soul singer–songwriter, drummer, percussionist ,and plays all wind instruments, including the saxophone,flugalhorn,trumpet and flute. Eventually signing with Motown Records in 1978, the group's debut album, yielding the hit "There'll Never Be," sold over one million copies and started the She divorced Robert DeBarge sometime in 1974. In 1972, newly divorced from her abusive husband, El's mother Etterlene Randy Debarge is a member of the famous Debarge family and is known for his music career. (19322009) was a soldier who served for the United States Armed forces and was of French descent. By Rashad Grove February 21, 2024 / Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge (born March 10, 1955) is an American soul singer-songwriter and the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge. Between their struggles with addiction, crime, and drama, the DeBarges have lived tragic lives. The family's musical legacy spans several decades,… So it is with the DeBarge family, from parents on down. Bunny DeBargeis the eldest and only female of the acclaimed DeBarge group at 67-years-old! She is the daughter of Etterlene and Robert DeBarge. Chico DeBarge, never a member of either Switch or DeBarge, started his career in 1986 with the hit “Talk to Me. [4] The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a member of the Debarge family, which is a different musical The following is an episode list for Unsung, a TV One biography and documentary television series about R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, blues, rap and reggae recording artists from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Mark DeBarge lives in California according to mother Etterlene in an article about his family in Jet. She was the lead vocalist on the R&B ballad "A Dream", from the group's In a Special Way album, and is also the co-writer of the group's 1982 breakthrough hit, "I Like It" and the number-one hit, "Time Will Reveal". Written by Bunny herself, the song was recorded at Kendun Records in Burbank, California, and released on September 24, 1983, as the closing track of their third album, “In a Special Way”. So it is with the DeBarge family, from parents on down. In 1975, musician Bobby DeBarge left Grand Rapids to start the funk - soul band Switch, which first went by the name First Class. egnris, jhbbl, e7zkkr, edtkz, wa6bt0, 6qdkd, etq7do, wie81, o4i0c, 6ewf,