Adam Wade (singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adam Wade
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Wade circa 1964
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Patrick Henry Wade
March 17, 1935 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | July 7, 2022 (aged 87) Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Education | Virginia State College (attended) |
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| Years active | 1959–2022 |
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Kay A. Wade
(m. 1956; div. 1973)Jeree Wade
(m. 1989–2022) |
| Children | 3 |
| Musical career | |
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Patrick Henry "Adam" Wade (born March 17, 1935 – died July 7, 2022) was an American singer, musician, and actor. He was famous for hosting the TV show Musical Chairs in 1975. This made him the first Black person to host a game show in the United States.
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About Adam Wade
His Early Life and School
Adam Wade was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. His grandparents raised him. He grew up in the East Liberty neighborhood. Adam went to Westinghouse High School. He finished school in 1952. After high school, he went to Virginia State University. But he left college during his second year.
Adam Wade's Career
Adam Wade first worked as a lab assistant. He helped Dr. Jonas Salk with his polio research. Then, in late 1959, he started a music career. He signed with Coed Records. His first hit song was "Ruby" in 1960. It was a cover of an older movie song.
Adam Wade was very popular in the early 1960s. In 1961, three of his songs made it to the Top Ten. These were "Take Good Care of Her" (No. 7), "As If I Didn't Know" (No. 10), and "The Writing on the Wall" (No. 5). These songs also did well on the Easy Listening charts. Adam Wade released albums like Adam and Evening and Adam Wade One Is A Lonely Number. His song "Take Good Care of Her" also reached No. 38 in the UK.
People often compared Adam Wade's singing style to Johnny Mathis. But Adam said his main influence was Nat King Cole. He shared in an interview that his father introduced him to Nat's music. Nat King Cole was his hero since high school.
In 1975, Adam Wade made history. He became the first African-American to host a TV game show. This show was called Musical Chairs. He also acted in plays like Guys and Dolls in 1978. He hosted a talk show called Mid-Morning LA. In 1979, he acted with Della Reese in Same Time, Next Year.
Adam Wade also appeared on many TV shows. He was in soap operas like The Guiding Light and Search for Tomorrow. He was also seen on popular sitcoms. These included Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, What's Happening!!, and Good Times. His friendly face and natural acting made him a favorite. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he focused more on acting. He appeared in several movies, including Gordon's War.
Later, Adam Wade went back to recording music. He released an album called Adam Wade. This album showed a more soulful singing style. It was liked by his fans. He also appeared in one episode of The Dukes of Hazzard. His last play was The Color Purple in 2008. Adam and his wife have a music company called Songbird. It is based in New Jersey.
His Passing
Adam Wade lived in Montclair, New Jersey after he got married in 1989. He passed away there on July 7, 2022. He was 87 years old. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease.
His Family Life
Adam Wade was married two times. He had three children. His first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Kay A. Wade. They were married from 1956 to 1973. They had three children: Sheldon, Patrice, and Michael. Adam Wade married Jeree Wade in 1989. Their marriage lasted until his death. Adam and Jeree often performed together. Adam said he met Jeree on the set of Musical Chairs.
Adam Wade's Music
Albums
- And Then Came Adam (Coed, 1960)
- Adam and Evening (Coed, 1961)
- Adam Wade's Greatest Hits (Epic, 1962)
- One Is a Lonely Number (Epic, 1962)
- What Kind of Fool Am I? (Epic, 1963)
- A Very Good Year for Girls (Epic, 1963)
- Adam Wade (Kirshner, 1977)
Popular Songs (Singles)
Adam Wade had several songs that became popular hits. Some of his most well-known singles include:
- "Ruby" (1960)
- "Take Good Care of Her" (1961)
- "The Writing on the Wall" (1961)
- "As If I Didn't Know" (1961)
- "Crying in the Chapel" (1965)
See also
In Spanish: Adam Wade para niños
