Eric Mercury facts for kids

Eric Alexander Mercury (born June 28, 1944 – died March 14, 2022) was a talented Canadian singer. He was known for his amazing voice and songwriting skills. Eric was part of the soul group The Soul Searchers in the 1960s. Later, he became a successful solo artist.

He released his famous album Electric Black Man in 1969. Eric had two hit songs: "I Can Smell That Funky Music" in Canada in 1972, and "Our Love Will Stop the World" in the United States in 1983. The second song was a duet with the legendary singer Roberta Flack. He also helped write "Down the Backstairs of My Life", a song recorded by many artists.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Growing Up in Toronto

Eric Mercury was born on June 28, 1944. He grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was the youngest of seven children. Music was a big part of his family life.

His father, George Luther Mercury, was a Methodist minister from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His mother, Gladys Viola Mercury, was from Jamaica. Both of his parents were important community leaders in Toronto. They worked out of the British Methodist Episcopal Church.

First Bands

In the 1960s, Eric sang in two different groups. First, he was with a band called The Pharaohs. Later, he joined The Soul Searchers. These groups helped him gain experience as a performer.

In 1968, Eric decided to move to New York City. He wanted to start his solo music career there.

Solo Career and Big Hits

Making His Mark

Eric Mercury released his first solo album in 1969. It was called Electric Black Man. Many people in the music world thought it was a very important album for the 1960s. After this, he signed with Enterprise Records. This was a part of the famous Stax Records label.

He released more albums, including Funky Sounds Nurtured in the Fertile Soil of Memphis That Smell of Rock (1971), Love Is Taking Over (1973), and Eric Mercury (1975).

Chart Success

In 1971, Eric's song "I Can Smell That Funky Music" was released. It became a hit in Canada in 1972. It reached number 30 on the Canadian charts.

In 1983, Eric had another big hit. This time, it was in the United States. He sang a duet with Roberta Flack called "Our Love Will Stop the World". This song reached number 65 on the US Black Contemporary Singles chart.

Writing and Other Work

Eric Mercury also wrote songs for other famous artists. He wrote for singers like Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. He even produced music for Donny Hathaway.

You might have heard his voice in a very famous advertisement! Eric sang vocals for Michael Jordan's "Be Like Mike" jingle for Gatorade.

Besides music, Eric also acted. He appeared in a play called Jesus Christ Superstar. He also had roles in movies like The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh and American Hot Wax.

Later Years

Collaborations and Re-releases

In 2019, Eric worked with a composer from Montreal named Anthony Aramouni. They released a song together called "Bright Eyed Woman". This song came out around the 50th anniversary of his Electric Black Man album.

In 2021, a very special record was re-released. It was the "Lonely Girl" single by Eric Mercury & The Soul Searchers. This record was originally released on the SAC label. It became a highly sought-after item for music collectors. The re-release made it available to more fans.

Illness and Death

Eric Mercury passed away on March 14, 2022. He was 77 years old. He died from pancreatic cancer.