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

Gregory Joel Abbott (born April 2, 1954)[1][2] 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.[2] 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[3] 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.[4][3]

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.[3] Continuing on, Abbott produced for the group EQ on Atlantic Records.[3] 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.[2] 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.[3]

Internationally, Abbott has also had success, winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival.[3] 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.[3] In Belgium, he performed with Princess Stephanie of Monaco.[3] 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![3] 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.[1]

Personal life

Abbott was married to American singer Freda Payne[5] from 1976 until 1979. Their son, Gregory Joel Abbott, Jr., was born in 1977.[4]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Label Peak chart positions
US
[6]		 US R&B
[6]		 UK
[7]
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
[8]		 US Adult Con.
[9]		 US
[10]		 UK
[11][7]
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. 1 2 "Biography". Gregoryabbott.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 8/9. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Belanger, Larry. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "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.
  6. 1 2 "Gregory Abbott - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "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.
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