Philippé Wynne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philippé Wynne
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Phillippe Walker |
| Also known as | Soul Walker Wynne |
| Born | April 3, 1941 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | July 14, 1984 (aged 43) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Soul, funk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1968–1984 |
| Labels | Atlantic, Sugar Hill |
Philippé Wynne (born Phillippe Walker) was an American singer. He was born on April 3, 1941, and passed away on July 14, 1984. Philippé is most famous for being a lead singer for the popular group The Spinners. He shared this important role with other group members like Bobby Smith and Henry Fambrough.
With The Spinners, Philippé Wynne sang on many big hit songs. Some of these include "How Could I Let You Get Away", "The Rubberband Man", and "One of a Kind (Love Affair)". After he left The Spinners, he continued to sing. He even sang on another hit song called "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by the group Funkadelic. Philippé Wynne sadly passed away while he was performing on stage.
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Philippé Wynne's Life and Music
Philippé Wynne was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a special home for children called the New Orphanage Asylum for Colored Children. In the early 1960s, he moved to Detroit. There, he started his music journey with his brother, Michael Walker. They began by singing gospel songs.
Soon, Philippé switched to singing R&B music. He started to become successful. In 1968, he sang with a band called The Pacemakers. Later, he joined James Brown's band, The J.B.'s. Philippé then spent some time in Germany. He was the lead singer for a band called the Afro Kings.
After that, he joined The Spinners. He took the place of his cousin, G. C. Cameron. Philippé was one of the main singers for The Spinners until 1977. During his time with the group, they released many successful albums and hit songs.
Why Philippé Left The Spinners
Philippé Wynne was one of three lead singers in The Spinners. After several years, he wanted the group's name to be changed to "Philippe Wynn and the Spinners." When the group said no to his idea, he decided to leave. He then started his own solo music career.
After Philippé left, neither he nor The Spinners had the same huge success they had when they were together. Philippé's first solo album was called Starting All Over. It came out in 1977, but it didn't have any big hit songs.
Solo Career and Collaborations
In 1979, Philippé started working with George Clinton and his group Parliament-Funkadelic. He sang on several of their songs. He was a featured singer on Funkadelic's song "(Not Just) Knee Deep". This song became a number one hit on the Billboard R&B music chart.
While working with Parliament-Funkadelic, Philippé also appeared on Bootsy Collins's album Sweat Band. In 1980, Philippé released his second solo album, Wynne Jammin'. This album was released on a label started by George Clinton. However, Wynne Jammin' was not a big seller.
Philippé also sang on songs for other artists. He was a guest singer on "Something Inside My Head" by Gene Dunlap. He also sang on the song "Whip It" by the Treacherous Three. Philippé Wynne's last album was simply called Philippé Wynne. It was released in 1984.
Philippé Wynne's Family
Philippé's parents, DeGree Walker and Annie Wynn, separated in 1947. Around 1952, Philippé and his three brothers and sisters were placed in a children's home. This home was called the New Orphan Asylum for Colored Children in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Philippé once said, "I guess the hardest part to take was being there and knowing that both of your parents were still alive."
Around 1956, Philippé and his brother, Michael, left the orphanage. They went to Detroit, Michigan to find their mother. In Detroit, the two brothers formed a gospel singing group called the Walker Singers. Later, Philippé started using his mother's last name, Wynn. He then became the lead singer for The Spinners.
Marriage and Children
Philippé Wynne married Ava Leflor on February 1, 1973, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had two sons together: Emmanuel Wynn (born 1973) and Alvarez Escalante Wynn (born 1975). Ava was from Compton, California. After Philippé left The Spinners, the family moved to California. Philippé and Ava later divorced.
Sadly, his son Alvarez passed away at a young age in 1999. His other son, Emmanuel, was a hero. In 2001, he tried to save a man and received a special medal called the Carnegie Medal for his bravery.
Philippé Wynne's Passing
On July 13, 1984, Philippé Wynne was performing at a nightclub in Oakland, California. While on stage, he had a heart attack. He passed away the next day, at 43 years old.
Discography
Albums
- Starting All Over – Cotillion – SD 9920, 1977
- Wynne Jammin' – Uncle Jam – JZ 36843, 1980
- Philippe Wynne – Sugarhill – SH-9204, 1984
