Caron Wheeler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caron Wheeler
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Wheeler at the 1990 Grammy Awards
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| Born | 19 January 1963 Acton, London, England
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| Years active | 1976–present |
| Children | 1 |
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Caron Melina Wheeler (born on January 19, 1963) is a talented British singer, songwriter, and musician. She is well-known for being a lead singer of the famous R&B group Soul II Soul. Caron Wheeler also had a successful solo career.
Born and raised in London, she started singing in competitions when she was a teenager. She became a founding member of two groups: Brown Sugar and Afrodiziak. In the late 1980s, she became very famous as the lead singer of Soul II Soul. The group, managed by Jazzie B, became one of London's top-selling groups. Their first album, Club Classics Vol. One (1989), was a huge success worldwide. It won two Grammy Awards and included hit songs like "Keep On Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)". These songs reached number one in the UK and on the Billboard charts.
After leaving Soul II Soul in 1990, Caron Wheeler released her first solo album, UK Blak. This album featured popular songs such as "Livin' in the Light" and "Don't Quit". She continued her solo journey with her second album, Beach of the War Goddess (1993). Caron Wheeler has performed with Soul II Soul on and off throughout her career. She officially rejoined the group in 2013. She is seen as a pioneer in the British soul music scene. Her music often explores themes of love, relationships, and empowerment. She has sold over 6 million records both as a solo artist and with Soul II Soul. In 2012, she received the Heritage Award from PRS for Music with Soul II Soul. In 2023, she was honored with the OBE for her contributions to music.
Career Highlights
Early Years: Brown Sugar
Caron Wheeler was born in England to Jamaican parents. She spent some time growing up in Jamaica. In high school, Caron and her friend Pauline Catlin started singing together for fun. They were inspired by famous female groups like The Shirelles. In 1976, Caron and Pauline won a singing competition in London. Later, they added Carol Simms to their group, and they became known as Brown Sugar.
In 1977, Brown Sugar released their first major song, "I'm in Love with a Dreadlocks". This song was very popular and reached the top of the British reggae charts. The group released several more singles, including "Our Reggae Music" and "I am So Proud". Brown Sugar eventually disbanded in 1983 as the members wanted to pursue their own solo careers.
Backing Vocals: Afrodiziak
In 1982, Caron Wheeler met Claudia Fontaine, another English singer. They formed a duo called Afrodiziak. They worked as backing vocalists for many other artists. They sang for Elvis Costello on his album Punch the Clock in 1983. They also toured with him. Later, Naomi Thompson joined the group. Afrodiziak provided background vocals for artists like Heaven 17, Howard Jones, and Sam Brown. Caron left the group in 1988.
Becoming Famous with Soul II Soul
In 1988, Caron Wheeler joined Jazzie B to form the group Soul II Soul. The group started recording their first album in 1988. The next year, they released Club Classics Vol. One. This album featured two huge hit songs with Caron as the lead singer: "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)". Each of these songs sold over a million copies worldwide.
The album made Soul II Soul a very successful group. They won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album. They also won two Grammy Awards: one for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "African Dance" and another for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)". Caron performed "Keep on Movin'" with Soul II Soul on the TV show Top of the Pops in 1989. She toured with the group before leaving to start her solo career.
Solo Success: UK Blak and Beach of the War Goddess
In early 1990, Caron Wheeler signed a record deal with EMI. Her first solo album, UK Blak, was released on May 15, 1990. The album sold 60,000 copies in the UK and over 100,000 copies worldwide. The first song from the album, "Livin' in the Light", became Caron's first number-one solo hit in the US. Other popular songs from the album included "UK Blak" and "Don't Quit".
In 1992, Caron started working on her second album. She also sang on the song "Take Me Higher" for Soul II Soul's album Volume III Just Right. In October 1992, her song "I Adore You" was released. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the movie Mo' Money. In February 1993, she released her second album, Beach of the War Goddess. This album included the singles "In Our Love" and "Soul Street".
Returning to Soul II Soul
In 1994, Caron Wheeler was asked to rejoin Soul II Soul for their album Volume V: Believe. However, she and Jazzie B had different ideas about the music. Caron felt the group should create more modern songs. She left the group before the album was released, but her background vocals were still on some songs like "Love Enuff", "Ride On" and "Sunday".
In 1995, Caron recorded "Just the Two of Us" as a duet with Japanese singer Toshinobu Kubota. The song reached number 30 on Japan's music charts. In 1996, a new version of "Keep On Movin'" was released and charted in the UK.
Later Career and Return to Soul II Soul
Caron Wheeler continued to work on music. In 1997, she sang on the song "You're Mine" for Eric Gadd's album. In 1999, she released a single called "Star". In 2001, she recorded "Open" with Pete Rock. She also appeared on Meshell Ndegeocello's album in 2002. In 2003, she sang "Another Star" for a Stevie Wonder tribute album.
In 2004, Caron Wheeler released a live album called Live at Duo Music Exchange. This album was recorded in Tokyo, Japan, and featured live performances of her songs, including some from her time with Soul II Soul.
In 2007, Caron reunited with Soul II Soul and began performing with them again at clubs and festivals. In 2009, she toured with the group in Australia. In July 2009, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lovers Rock Gala Awards. In 2010, Soul II Soul had a reunion tour with many of their original members. In 2012, Caron was with Soul II Soul when they received the honorary PRS for Music Heritage Plaque Award in Brixton, London.
In 2013, Caron Wheeler officially returned to Soul II Soul as the lead vocalist. She has continued to tour and record new music with the group. In 2016, Soul II Soul released a new song called "A New Day" featuring Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B. They also released a live album, Origins: The Roots of Soul II Soul. In 2017, Caron appeared on Simon Law's album Look to the Sky.
Personal Life
Caron Wheeler went to Kingsdale Foundation School in south London in the late 1970s. In 2004, she welcomed her daughter, Asha Star.
Discography
- UK Blak (1990)
- Beach of the War Goddess (1993)
Awards and Nominations
Caron Wheeler has received many awards and nominations throughout her career.
Major Awards
- Grammy Awards:
* 1990: Won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" (with Soul II Soul). * 1990: Won Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "African Dance" (with Soul II Soul).
- Soul Train Music Awards:
* 1990: Won Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year for "Keep on Movin'" (with Soul II Soul). * 1990: Won Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Single, Group, Band, or Duo for "Keep on Movin'" (with Soul II Soul).
Other Recognitions
- Lovers Rock Gala Awards:
* 2009: Lifetime Achievement Award.
- PRS for Music Heritage Awards:
* 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award (with Soul II Soul).
See also
In Spanish: Caron Wheeler para niños
- List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
- Kingsdale Foundation School
