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Shirley Murdock (born May 22, 1957) is an American R&B singer-songwriter. She is best known for her guest appearance alongside Charlie Wilson on Zapp and Roger's 1986 single "Computer Love", as well as her 1986 single, "As We Lay". The latter peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned from her self-titled debut album (1986), released by Elektra Records.

Career

Murdock started out singing gospel music in her native Toledo. Singer/musician Roger Troutman hired Murdock as a backing vocalist for his family's band Zapp, which had several hits on Warner Bros. (and its Reprise Records imprint). Based on this success, Troutman began recording tracks with Murdock and lead singer Sugarfoot of the Ohio Players, among others, at his Dayton-based recording studio, Troutman Sound Labs. Murdock and Troutman's first charted single was a Warner Bros. single issued as Roger (featuring Shirley Murdock), "Girl, Cut It Out", which charted at number 79 R&B in early 1985.

Murdock signed with Elektra Records and released "No More", written by Shirley Murdock and Gregory Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio funk keyboardist and member of Zapp), which made it to number 24 R&B in early 1986. Then came her signature hit, "As We Lay", written by Zapp's Larry Troutman and keyboardist Billy Beck (of the Ohio Players). The tender, melancholy ballad made it to the R&B Top Ten in 1986 and peaked at number 23 pop and number 21 on the adult contemporary chart in early 1987. Her debut album was certified gold, also helped along by the follow-up hits "Go on Without You" and "Be Free." She also released albums in 1988 (A Woman's Point of View) and 1991 (Let There Be Love!). In early 2000, Murdock toured in the inspirational/gospel play Be Careful What You Pray For with Cuba Gooding, Sr. and David Peaston.

Murdock released Home, her gospel-music debut album, in 2002 on T.D. Jakes' Dexterity Sounds record label. She made her acting debut in the movie Sweating in the Spirit. Most recently, Murdock has signed with Tyscot Records and released her most recent album in March 2007.

In 2009, Murdock collaborated with Teena Marie on the song "Soldier", from Marie's album Congo Square. She also appeared in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, with Johnny Gill, Robin Givens, and Jermaine Crawford. She also appeared in "A Mother's Love" a stage play produced by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker in 2014.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

References

1. ^ "Shirley Murdock Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
2. ^ Hogan, Ed. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
3. "Roger Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
4. ^ "Shirley Murdock Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
5. "GospelFlava News". December 14, 2006. Archived from the original on December 16, 2006.
6. "Congo Square : Teena Marie". Concord Entertainment Company. December 16, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
7. "Artist / Shirley Murdock". Billboard Database. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
8. "US Certifications > Shirley Murdock". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
9. "UK Charts > Shirley Murdock". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2013.

External links

• Shirley Murdock official website
• Shirley Murdock at AllMusic

• 1957 births
• Musicians from Toledo, Ohio
• Living people
• 20th-century African-American women singers
• 20th-century American women singers
• 20th-century American singers
• American gospel singers
• American rhythm and blues singers
• Singers from Ohio
• Elektra Records artists
• Zapp (band) members
• 21st-century American women singers
• American ballad musicians
• 21st-century American singers
• 21st-century African-American women singers