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Gregory Abbott

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Revision as of 03:43, 26 December 2024 by Eric Carpenter (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) American musician (born 1954) For the American politician, see Greg Abbott.For other people, see Greg Abbott (disambiguation).

Gregory Abbott
Background information
Birth nameGregory Joel Abbott
Born (1954-04-02) April 2, 1954 (age 70)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • composer
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboard
  • piano
  • drums
Years active1982–present
Labels
Websitegregoryabbott.com
Musical artist

Gregory Joel Abbott (born April 2, 1954) is an American singer, musician, composer and producer. Although he continues to record to date, he is best known for his singles in the mid-1980s including his platinum single, "Shake You Down", from his 1986 debut album.

Biography

Early life

Abbott was born in Harlem, New York. Abbott's parents were from Venezuela and Antigua. During his early years, Abbott's mother taught him how to play piano and encouraged him to develop vocally. Before his career as a musician, Abbott studied psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and creative writing at Stanford; where he won a Wallace Stegner fellowship. Before becoming a musician, Abbott taught as a professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley.

Music career

One of Abbott's first opportunities in his studio was an album for an independent record label, which gave him the opportunity to do a duet with Whitney Houston. Continuing on, Abbott produced for the group EQ on Atlantic Records. In 1986, Abbott released his first solo album, Shake You Down. The title track for the album was a success, going platinum and topping the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "I Got the Feelin' (It's Over)", reached Number 5 on the R&B chart. On the strength of its singles, the album reached platinum status and earned Abbott several awards.

Internationally, Abbott has also had success, winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival. The title track of his second album, I'll Prove It to You, which was released in 1988, was featured on a Japanese movie soundtrack. In Belgium, he performed with Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Over the years much of his new music has been released via his own Mojo Man Entertainment label. Abbott has continued with his R&B sound, but he added a Caribbean influence to his 1996 album One World! In 2011, an album entitled Drop Your Mask was released. Abbott continues to release singles including a smooth jazz song "Chill" featuring saxophonist Gerald Albright.

Personal life

Abbott was married to American singer Freda Payne from 1976 until 1979. Their son, Gregory Joel Abbott, Jr., was born in 1977.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Label Peak chart positions
US
 US R&B
 UK
1986 Shake You Down Columbia Records 22 5 53
1988 I'll Prove It to You 132 17 —
1996 One World! Musik International — — —
2002 Eyes, Whispers, Rhythm, Sex... — — —
2011 Drop Your Mask Spectra Records — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Year Single Chart Positions
US
R&B
 US Adult Con.
 US
 UK
1986 "Shake You Down" 1 2 1 6
"I Got the Feelin' (It's Over)" 5 25 56 76
"You're My Angel" — — — —
1988 "I'll Prove It to You" 5 35 — —
"Let Me Be Your Hero" 34 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

References

  1. ^ "Biography". Gregoryabbott.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 8/9. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  3. ^ Belanger, Larry. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "Mr. & Mrs. Freda Payne Sues For Divorce; Asks $1 A Month Alimony". Jet. Vol. 55, no. 22. Johnson Publishing Company. February 15, 1979. p. 52. ISSN 0021-5996.
  5. "Gregory Abbott, A Singing Force". Canyon News. April 18, 2015. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "Gregory Abbott - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  7. ^ "GREGORY ABBOTT - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  8. "Chart History - Gregory Abbott: HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  9. "Chart History - Gregory Abbott: ADULT CONTEMPORARY". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  10. "Chart History - Gregory Abbott: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  11. Rice, Jonathan; Roberts, David (2000). Guinness Book of British Hit Singles (13th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Ltd. p. 69. ISBN 0-85112-111-X.

External links

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