Lenny Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lenny Williams
|
|
|---|---|
Williams CD cover, 2011
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leonard Charles Williams |
| Born | February 16, 1945 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts | Tower of Power |
Leonard Charles Williams (born February 16, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is famous for being the main singer of the soul and funk band Tower of Power in the early 1970s. As a solo artist, Lenny Williams also created many popular songs. Some of his well-known hits include "Cause I Love You" from 1978 and "Choosing You" from 1977.
Contents
Lenny Williams' Early Life and Music Journey
Lenny Williams was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. When he was young, his family moved to Oakland, California. He became interested in music by learning to play the trumpet in elementary school. His singing talent grew as he sang in gospel choirs and groups around the Bay Area. He worked with famous artists like Sly Stone, Andraé Crouch, Billy Preston, and members of the Hawkins family. These included Edwin, Walter, and Tramaine.
Becoming a Professional Musician
After winning many local talent contests, Lenny Williams signed his first recording contract with Fantasy Records. He released two songs with them: "Lisa's Gone" and "Feelin Blue." These songs were written by John Fogerty from the band Creedence Clearwater Revival.
In 1972, Williams joined the rising funk band Tower of Power. They had many hit songs together, such as "So Very Hard to Go", "What Is Hip", and "Don't Change Horses (In The Middle of the Stream)". During his two years with the group, Williams helped create three albums. These albums were Back To Oakland, Urban Renewal, and the gold album Tower of Power. A gold album means it sold a lot of copies! Lenny Williams and Tower of Power traveled and performed in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Lenny Williams' Solo Career
While he was still with Tower of Power, Lenny Williams recorded his first solo album. It was called Pray for the Lion and came out in 1974. At the end of 1975, Williams left the band to focus on his own music.
He first signed with Motown Records in 1975. Later, he moved to ABC Records in 1977. MCA Records then bought ABC Records in 1979. Over the next four years, with producer Frank Wilson, Lenny Williams had ten songs on the music charts. Some of these hits were "Choosing You", "You Got Me Running", and "Cause I Love You". From 1977 to 1980, Williams recorded four more albums. These included Choosing You, which was his first gold album, and Spark of Love.
After leaving MCA, Williams recorded for smaller, independent music companies. In 1986, he was asked to sing on "Don't Make Me Wait For Love." This song was on Duotones, a very popular album by Kenny G. The song became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard charts the next year.
Lenny Williams' 1978 hit song "Cause I Love You" has been used by other artists. Parts of it were used in songs by Mobb Deep, Kanye West, Twista, and Jin. Another one of his songs, "Half Past Love," was used by The Coup for their 2006 song "My Favorite Mutiny."
Since then, Williams has continued his solo music career. He has toured in the US, Europe, and South Africa. He has also started acting in stage plays. Some of these plays include Love on Lay Away and What Men Don't Tell. He is also featured on a music DVD called The Big Show.
Lenny Williams' Family Life
Lenny Williams is married to Debbie Williams.
Lenny Williams' Music Albums
Albums with Tower of Power
- 1973: Tower of Power
- 1974: Back to Oakland
- 1975: Urban Renewal
Solo Studio Albums
- 1974: Pray for the Lion
- 1975: Rise Sleeping Beauty
- 1977: Choosing You
- 1978: Spark of Love
- 1979: Love Current
- 1980: Let's Do It Today
- 1981: Taking Chances
- 1984: Changing
- 1986: New Episode
- 1989: Layin' In Wait
- 1994: Chill
- 1996: Here's to the Lady
- 2000: Love Therapy
- 2004: My Way
- 2007: It Must Be Love
- 2009: Unfinished Business
- 2012: Still in the Game
- 2020: Fine
Compilation Albums
- 1993: Ooh Child
- 2001: Ultimate Collection
- 2002: Ten Ways of Lovin' You
- 2008: You Won My Heart
