Content
- Bio Data
- Biography
- Early Years
- Career
- Personal Affairs
- Social Media
- Net Worth
- Death
Bio Data
Full Name: | Robert Louis DeBarge, Jr. |
Stage Name: | Bobby DeBarge |
Born: | 5 March 1956 (age 39 years old) |
Place of Birth: | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Died: | 16 August 1995, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Height: | 1.70 m |
Parents: | Etterlene DeBarge, Robert Louis DeBarge Sr |
Siblings: | Bunny DeBarge, El DeBarge, James DeBarge, Tommy DeBarge, Chico DeBarge, Randy DeBarge, Mark DeBarge, Carol “Peaches” DeBarge, Darryl DeBarge |
Wife • Spouse: | Teri DeBarge (m. 1990–1995) |
Girlfriend • Partner: | La Toya Jackson |
Children: | Christian DeBarge, Bobby DeBarge Jr |
Occupation: | Singer • Songwriter |
Net Worth: | $15 million |
Biography
Robert Louis DeBarge, Jr. (born March 5, 1956), better known as Bobby DeBarge, was a notable American singer, musician, and composer.
Some singers are as well known for their scandals as for their musical talent. Bobby DeBarge, a famous singer born in the 1950s who passed away in 1995, was an example of this.
Bobby DeBarge rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Motown band Switch. In addition to producing music, he also sang and tutored the other DeBarge brothers.
Many personal troubles, including charges of drug trafficking and substance abuse, destroyed his musical career.
Early Years
The death of singer Bobby DeBarge occurred on August 16, 1995. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 5, 1956. Robert DeBarge Sr. and Etterlene DeBarge were his parents.
After moving to Grand Rapids in the 1970s with his family, he began playing in a number of local bands. Subsequently, he collaborated with a few of his friends to form White Heat, the backup band for Barry White.
Bobby DeBarge was the eldest male child of the DeBarge family, born during Robert DeBarge Sr. and Etterlene DeBarge’s 21-year marriage. Etterlene DeBarge, a gospel singer, encouraged and helped her children develop their talents.
Bunny DeBarge, El DeBarge, James DeBarge, Tommy DeBarge, Chico DeBarge, Randy DeBarge, Mark DeBarge, Carol “Peaches” DeBarge, and Darryl DeBarge are Bobby DeBarge’s siblings.
Career
Bobby DeBarge and his younger brother, Tommy DeBarge, began performing in local bands simultaneously. Later, in 1975, he established a trio with another singer, Gregory Williams.
After a successful audition, the duo and several other musicians were admitted into the famed Barry White backup band, White Heat.
In 1976, Barry White dismissed all but one of the White Heat singers because of tax difficulties. After that, Bobby DeBarge joined forces with more than ten additional singers to form the band Hot Ice.
In 1977, the group released an album titled Pall Mall Groove. When he returned to Grand Rapids, her addiction regrettably seized hold of her. He later came back to the group, hoping to kick his addiction.
Due to their ability to “switch” between instruments, the group members at the time were known as Switch. Switch, the group’s debut album, was published in 1978.
In 1979, they published Switch II, and in 1980, they put out This Is My Dream, their third gold-selling album. By that time, Bobby DeBarge had returned to consuming cocaine and ceased using heroin.
His addiction caused confrontation with the other members of the organization. After the group’s fifth album, Switch V, was released in 1981, he abruptly resigned.
Following Bobby DeBarge‘s departure from Switch, his siblings created a band named the DeBarges. As El and Bunny left, Bobby joined his siblings’ group. He helped the group reunite, which resulted in the bad guys’ eventual release.
Personal Affairs
Teri DeBarge, the late wife of Bobby DeBarge, is also known as Teri Lee Gayle. After her marriage to the late American singer Teri DeBarge, she became well-known as Teri Lee Gayle.
Before his death in 1995, she spent six years with the renowned artist. After a period of courtship, the couple wed on December 10, 1990. They had first met around the mid-1980s. Teri DeBarge was just 15 years old when they first met, while Bobby DeBarge was already in his early 30s.
There are rumors that El DeBarge’s ex-wife, Monique DeBarge, fostered the relationship between Teri DeBarge and Bobby DeBarge.
He is fortunate to have two children: Christian DeBarge and Bobby DeBarge Jr. He dated La Toya Jackson in the past.
The Bobby DeBarge Story, an original TV One movie produced by Swirl Productions, premiered in 2019.
The 90-minute biography was part of the network’s UNSUNG series. Bobby is the central character in the film, portrayed by Roshon Fegan.
Social Media
- Instagram: @bobbydebarge
- Twitter: @bobbydebargejr
Net Worth
At the time of his death, Bobby DeBarge’s net worth was estimated to be $15 million due to his status as one of the most famous musicians in history.
Death
Before entering prison, the well-known artist notified his family that he had HIV/AIDS. Following his 1993 release from prison, he returned to the music industry.
After becoming ill with the disease in the late 1980s, Bobby DeBarge has been fighting AIDS-related illnesses for years.
In 1995, the singer was gravely ill. His family admitted him to a hospice in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he died on August 16, 1995.