Colonel Abrams facts for kids

Colonel Abrams (born May 25, 1949 – died November 24, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He became famous for his unique voice and for creating popular R&B, soul, and house music. His songs often topped the dance charts in the 1980s, making him a star in the dance music world.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Colonel Abrams was born in Detroit, Michigan. His real name was Colonel Abrams. Later, his family moved to the East Village in New York City. From a young age, Abrams loved music. He started playing the guitar and piano. He was part of several early bands. One band was called Heavy Impact. He played guitar and keyboards in this group.

In 1976, he formed another band called Conservative Manor. He was also part of a band called 94 East. This band even featured the famous musician Prince on lead guitar.

Rise to Fame in the 1980s

Colonel Abrams became very popular in New York City's underground music scene. People heard his music on the radio and in clubs. His first big hit was in 1984. It was a song called "Music Is the Answer."

In the mid-1980s, he had many more hits. These included "Leave the Message Behind the Door" and "Trapped." "Trapped" became a top ten hit in several countries. These countries included Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UK. Other popular songs were "The Truth," "Speculation," "I'm Not Gonna Let You", and "Over and Over." These songs helped him become a well-known solo artist. He first became famous in Europe, then later in the US.

In 1985, he signed with a record label called AMI. They worked with a British producer named Richard James Burgess. Burgess helped produce Abrams' first album, which was also called Colonel Abrams. Then, MCA Records signed Abrams to release his music worldwide.

Smash Hits and Dance Chart Success

The song "Trapped" was a huge success. It reached the top five in the UK Singles Chart. It also hit number one on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1985. His first album, Colonel Abrams, also reached number one on the dance charts the next year.

Another song, "I'm Not Gonna Let", also spent a week at number one on the dance chart in 1986. His album reached number 75 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also hit number 13 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Even though he didn't have many pop hits in America, he had many songs on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. Four of his songs reached number one on this chart. In 1987, "How Soon We Forget" became his fourth number-one US dance hit. That same year, he released his second album, You and Me Equals Us.

Later Music and Independent Releases

Colonel Abrams continued to release new music. On January 9, 2007, he released the single "Just When You Thought." This was on his own record label, called Colonel Records. He also released other songs in 2007, like "Never Be" and "True Stories." In June 2008, his song "Only a Few" came out.

Later Life and Support

In his later years, Colonel Abrams faced some health challenges and difficulties. In 2015, a special fundraising effort was started online. This was to help him get the support he needed. Many people, including other musicians, encouraged fans to donate. Marshall Jefferson, a famous musician, said that many artists don't have health benefits. He encouraged everyone to help Colonel Abrams through this tough time.

Death and Tributes

Colonel Abrams passed away on November 24, 2016. He was 67 years old. Many famous people in the music world shared their sadness and paid tribute to him. These included Tony Tune Herbert, Joey Negro, and Swizz Beatz. Jellybean Benitez, a producer who worked with Madonna and Whitney Houston, said it was a sad day for the House Music community. Marshall Jefferson wrote, "Never to be forgotten, R.I.P."

Discography Highlights

Colonel Abrams released several studio albums during his career. His first album, Colonel Abrams, came out in 1985. It was very successful on the R&B and dance charts. His second album, You and Me Equals Us, was released in 1987. He also released albums like About Romance in 1992 and Make a Difference in 1996.

He had many hit singles, especially on the dance charts. His most famous song, "Trapped," was certified Gold in the UK. Other popular singles included "The Truth," "I'm Not Gonna Let," and "How Soon We Forget." These songs helped define his sound and made him a dance music icon.