Mark DeBarge facts for kids

Mark "Marty" DeBarge (born June 19, 1959) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. He is also a talented musician who plays drums, percussion, and various wind instruments like the trumpet and flugelhorn. Mark is best known as an original member of the popular 1980s Motown family music group, DeBarge. He also wrote the group's well-known song, "Stay With Me". This song was later covered by famous artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Ashanti, and Mariah Carey.

About Mark DeBarge

Mark's Early Life

Mark DeBarge was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is the fifth of ten children. His parents were Robert Louis DeBarge, Sr. and Etterlene (née Abney) DeBarge. His father, Robert, had French family roots. His mother, Etterlene, had African American and American Indian heritage.

As a child, Mark sang in his local church choir. Later, his family moved to Grand Rapids. There, he and his family performed at Bethel Pentecostal church. His parents divorced in 1974.

Mark and his siblings were inspired by soul singers. They also looked up to his older brother, Bobby DeBarge. Bobby was a writer, lead singer, and pianist for the group Switch in the late 1970s.

Joining the Group DeBarge

In 1980, Motown Records signed Mark DeBarge and his brothers El and Randy. Their sister Bunny also joined them. The group became known as DeBarge. They released their first album, The DeBarges, on April 6, 1981.

DeBarge's Success

By the time their second album, All This Love, came out in 1982, brother James had joined the group. This album brought them their first hit songs. These included "I Like It" and "All This Love". Mark sang backing vocals on these tracks and played the flugelhorn.

Throughout the 1980s, DeBarge had many other popular songs. Some of these hits were "Love Me in a Special Way", "Time Will Reveal", "Rhythm of the Night", and "Who's Holding Donna Now".

Changes in the Group

Mark stayed with the group when his brother El and sister Bunny left in 1986. They both started solo music careers. After El and Bunny left, their brother Bobby joined the group. DeBarge then left Motown and signed with Striped Horse Records.

The new DeBarge group released an album called Bad Boys. However, it did not have any hit songs. The group eventually broke up in 1989.

In 1991, Mark, El, James, Randy, Bunny, and their mother Etterlene came together. They formed "The DeBarge Family" and released a gospel album called Back on Track.

Mark's Life Today

Mark DeBarge is a father of six children. Their names are Lakeysha, Mark Jr., Devyn, Piper, Michael, and Giovanni. According to an article about his family in Jet magazine, Mark DeBarge lives in California.

Mark DeBarge's Music Albums

with DeBarges

• The DeBarges (1981)
• All This Love (1982)
• In a Special Way (1983)
• Rhythm of the Night (1985)
• Bad Boys (1987)
• Back on Track (1991)