Alexander O'Neal
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Born on November 14, 1953, in Natchez, Mississippi, Alexander O'Neal was a member of The Time when the group first formed in 1980. However, he was dropped immediately from the group, supposedly for seeming "too black". As his vocals range in the same strength as Otis Redding's, O'Neal sings in the retro-style of soul when it comes to doing it in both the dance-pop numbers and modern, urban ballads. He is considered to be one of the very best artists that former, fellow Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had ever produced for. He did numerous duets with singer Cherrelle, including the hit "Saturday Love". Currently, he resides in Britain where he's been touring and set up a permanent shop there.
The 1985 self-titled release was filled with streamlined grooves, including the funk jam "Innocent". The song was a funky Jam/Lewis groove, featuring "The Secret"- (Monte Moir, Cherrelle, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis). The song lasts for nearly 10 minutes, which consists of some exceptional guitar and keyboard solos, which also features the funk intermission of "Alex 9000". Alex's 1987 release, titled "Hearsay", includes the smash hit "Fake". "Fake" is arguably one of the best songs ever made to feature the "Minneapolis Funk" sound.
His 1988 album "My Gift to You" was a successful holiday release, with the track "Our First Christmas" still popular during the holidays.
He has recently appeared in the celebrity duet show Just the Two of Us with BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce.
Alexander O'neal's popularity and support in the UK has been immeasurable ihroughout his Career and still remains so today. Based in Minneapolis, he frequently commutes to Britain, which he sees as his 'Second Home'. All of his six albums have charted both in the UK and the US and he has enjoyed numerous sell-out tours. In 2005, he recorded his first live album "Alexander O'neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo". It's a collection of his Favorites and Biggest Hits from his career. With his personal love of performing on stage and constant tour support from his fans it was a clear progression for him to deliver the live experience in the form of an album. He has handpicked tracks that traverse the success of his career singing alongside a 12 piece band.
Discography
Albums:
- 1985 - Alexander O'Neal #19 UK, #91 US
- 1987 - Hearsay #4 UK, #29 US
- 1988 - All Mixed Up
- 1988 - My Gift To You #53 UK, #149 US
- 1991 - All True Man #2 UK, #52 US
- 1992 - This Thing Called Love: The Greatest Hits #4 UK
- 1993 - Love Makes No Sense #14 UK
- 1995 - The Best of Alexander O'Neal
- 1996 - Lovers Again
- 2002 - Saga of a Married Man
- 2004 - Greatest Hits
- 2005 - Live At The Hammersmith Apollo, London
Singles:
| Year | Title | Album | UK | US | US R&B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Innocent"</sup> | Alexander O'Neal | - | - | 11 |
| 1985 | "If You Were Here Tonight"</sup> | Alexander O'Neal | 13 | - | 17 |
| 1985 | "Saturday Love" (with Cherrelle)</sup> | Alexander O'Neal | 6 | 26 | 2 |
| 1986 | "What's Missing</sup> | Alexander O'Neal | - | - | 8 |
| 1986 | "A Broken Heart Can Mend" (with Cherrelle) </sup> | Alexander O'Neal | 53 | - | 62 |
| 1987 | "Fake" (1988 re-release)</sup> | Hearsay | 33 16 | 25 | 1 |
| 1987 | "Criticize" (1998 re-release)</sup> | Hearsay | 4 51 | 70 | 4 |
| 1988 | "The Lovers"</sup> | Hearsay | 28 | - | 41 |
| 1988 | "Never Knew Love Like This" (with Cherrelle)</sup> | Hearsay | 26 | 28 | 2 |
| 1988 | "(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me"</sup> | Hearsay | 27 | - | 68 |
| 1988 | "What Is This Thing Called Love"</sup> | Hearsay | - | - | 21 |
| 1988 | "Christmas Song"/"Thank You For A Good Year"</sup> | My Gift To You | 30 | - | - |
| 1989 | "Hearsay '89"</sup> | Hearsay | 56 | - | - |
| 1989 | "Sunshine"</sup> | Hearsay | 72 | - | - |
| 1989 | "Hitmix (Official Bootleg Mega-Mix)"</sup> | All Mixed Up | 19 | - | - |
| 1991 | "All True Man"</sup> | All True Man | 18 | 43 | 5 |
| 1991 | "What Is This Thing Called Love"</sup> | All True Man | 53 | - | 21 |
| 1991 | "The Yoke"</sup> | All True Man | - | - | 73 |
| 1992 | "Sentimental"</sup> | All True Man | 53 | - | - |
| 1993 | "Love Makes no Sense"</sup> | Love Makes no Sense | 28 | - | 13 |
| 1993 | "In The Middle"</sup> | Love Makes no Sense | 32 | - | 26 |
| 1993 | "Aphrodista"</sup> | Love Makes no Sense | - | - | 48 |
| 1996 | "Let’s Get Together"</sup> | Lovers Again | 38 | - | - |
| 1997 | "Baby Come To Me" (with Cherrelle)</sup> | Lovers Again | 56 | - | - |
| 1998 | "Lovers Again"</sup> | Lovers Again | - | - | 54 |
| 2002 | "You’re Gonna Miss Me"</sup> | Saga of a Married Man | - | - | - |