El DeBarge

El DeBarge – Life, Music & Lessons

A full biography of El DeBarge — from his early years in the DeBarge family band, to solo success, personal struggles, musical style, legacy, and inspiring quotes.

Introduction

Eldra “El” Patrick DeBarge (born June 4, 1961) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, best known for his silky, high-tenor voice and falsetto. He came to prominence as the lead singer of the family R&B group DeBarge, and later embarked on a solo career with hits like “Who’s Johnny” and “Love Always.” Despite personal challenges, El DeBarge remains a respected and influential voice in R&B, soul, and pop music.

Early Life and Family

El DeBarge was born on June 4, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan, the sixth of ten children born to Robert Louis DeBarge Sr. and Etterlene Abney.

His family had strong musical roots: his mother was a gospel singer, and many of his siblings would become musicians.

In his youth, El sang in his local church choir and also learned piano. After his family relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, he and his siblings performed in their uncle’s church, building local performance experience.

He studied privately with music teachers (one named Ricky Callier) and developed his vocal and keyboard skills over time.

In adolescence, creative and economic pressures led him to drop out of high school and start performing professionally with his siblings.

Rise with the DeBarge Family Group

Formation & Motown Signing

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, El and his siblings formed the group DeBarge (initially “The DeBarges”).

Because his older brothers (notably Bobby and Tommy) were already associated with the group Switch, the DeBarge family had musical connections that helped open doors.

In 1980, after performing live in front of Berry Gordy (founder of Motown), the family was signed to Motown’s Gordy label.

Success with DeBarge

The group released several successful albums under Motown:

• The DeBarges (1981)

• All This Love (1982) — featuring songs like “I Like It” and “All This Love”

• In a Special Way (1983) — hits like “Time Will Reveal”, “Love Me in a Special Way”

• Rhythm of the Night (1985) — the group’s biggest commercial success, containing the title track hit “Rhythm of the Night”

El DeBarge’s voice became central to the group’s signature sound. He often handled lead vocals, production, arrangements, and songwriting.

By mid-1980s, tensions surfaced in the group: as Motown pushed El into spotlight roles, internal strains, creative differences, and personal issues among siblings complicated matters.

Eventually, in 1986, El left DeBarge to pursue a solo career.

Solo Career & Later Work

Debut & Early Solo Success

In May 1986, El DeBarge released his self-titled debut solo album, El DeBarge, on Gordy Records.

That album included the hit single “Who’s Johnny”, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Love Always.”

In 1989, he released Gemini, which yielded songs like “Real Love” and “Somebody Loves You.”

1990s to 2000s

In 1992, he released In the Storm, with the duet “You Know What I Like” featuring Chanté Moore; his style here had strong soul and R&B elements, reflecting influences like Marvin Gaye.

In 1994, Heart, Mind and Soul came out, co-produced with Babyface, featuring tracks like “Where Is My Love.”

After that, his solo releases slowed. He continued collaborating, contributing vocals and musical ideas to other artists’ works (e.g. DJ Quik) and performing occasionally.

Comeback & Second Chance

After a long hiatus, El DeBarge returned in 2010 with the album Second Chance.

That album earned him Grammy nominations (for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album).

He also performed a Tiny Desk Concert in February 2022 for NPR at his home, showcasing a more intimate, stripped performance.

Despite the challenges of time and the changing music landscape, his voice and musical identity continue to resonate.

Personal Life & Struggles

El DeBarge has faced personal challenges, including addiction and legal issues.

• In 2008, he served 13 months of a two-year prison sentence on drug-related charges.

• He has publicly discussed relapses and has gone through rehabilitation.

• In January 2023, he was arrested in Burbank, California, on multiple drug and weapons charges including illegal possession of a baton, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia.

• He has fathered 12 children with different partners.

Through these difficulties, he has often spoken about redemption, second chances, and the struggle to stay clean.

Musical Style & Influence

Vocal & Musical Signature

El DeBarge is distinguished by his high tenor register, strong falsetto, and fluid vocal control. His style merges R&B, soul, pop, and gospel tonalities.

He has cited influences like Marvin Gaye, even crafting songs that echo Gaye’s styling and phrasing.

His compositions often balance smooth ballads and mid-tempo grooves, emphasizing emotional expression, melodic lines, and layered harmony.

Legacy & Impact

As a lead voice of DeBarge, El helped define 1980s R&B with crossover appeal. Songs like “Rhythm of the Night” became pop hits beyond the R&B charts.

Many modern R&B, hip-hop, and pop artists cite DeBarge’s music as sampled sources or inspirations.

Rolling Stone, in 2023, included El DeBarge on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, highlighting the elasticity and expressiveness of his voice.

While the DeBarge family’s story had highs and lows, El’s combination of artistry and perseverance continues to influence artists and fans.

Notable Quotes

While El DeBarge is not as widely quoted in public discourse as some other artists, here are sentiments drawn from interviews and commentary about his motivations:

“Musically, it’s where I am today.” — about his album Heart, Mind and Soul “I wanted to do some really hip music … music that was current, stylish.” — on evolving his sound

His life trajectory also implicitly communicates lines like:

• The idea of “Second Chance” as both album and metaphor

• The struggle to balance creative ambition with personal discipline

• The voice as a legacy beyond fame

Lessons & Takeaways

1. Talent + hard work, but also humility
   El’s vocal gifts needed years of practice, and his willingness to evolve (e.g. collaborating, updating sound) shows growth.

2. Art can outlive adversity
   Despite mistakes and setbacks, his music continues to inspire. The comeback Second Chance is symbolic of resilience.

3. Voice as identity
   Maintaining a distinctive vocal color and emotional expressiveness gives an artist staying power.

4. Redemption is ongoing
   His life underlines that artistic legacy and personal behavior are intertwined, and the journey toward healing may be long.

5. Collaboration and adaptation matter
   El worked with producers like Babyface, and blended classic and contemporary styles — showing openness is key in long careers.

Conclusion

El DeBarge is a singular voice in American R&B and pop. From his roots in a gifted musical family to solo success, his voice has touched generations. Though his life has contained trials, his commitment to music and the idea of a second chance continues to resonate. His story is one of triumph, vulnerability, and the enduring power of song.