Randy DeBarge facts for kids

William Randall DeBarge (born August 6, 1958) is an American singer and bass guitarist. He is famous for being one of the first members of the popular Motown family music group, DeBarge. Randy also sang lead parts and helped write the song "I Like It" (1982) with his brother El. This song became one of the group's first big hits.

Randy DeBarge's Early Life

Randy DeBarge was born in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the fourth oldest of ten children born to Robert DeBarge, Sr. and Etterlene DeBarge.

All the DeBarge children loved to sing in church and at school. Randy joined a local band when he was young. His older brother, Tommy, taught him how to play the bass guitar.

When Randy was seventeen, his older brothers Bobby and Tommy started a funk and soul group called Switch. This group later signed with Motown in 1977.

Three years later, Motown signed Randy, El, Bunny, and Mark DeBarge. They formed a group called The DeBarges. After their first album in 1981, they shortened their name to DeBarge.

The DeBarge Group's Success

After their first album, The DeBarges, did not become popular, the group decided to write and produce their own music. They got some help from Iris, who was Berry Gordy's niece.

They released their second album, All This Love. The song "Stop! Don't Tease Me" had some success. Then, their second song, "I Like It", became a huge hit.

"I Like It" reached number two on the R&B music charts. It also became popular on other music charts, reaching number 31. Randy and El sang the main parts of this song together.

Soon, DeBarge became one of the most popular R&B groups in the world. They had many more hits like "All This Love", "Love Me in a Special Way", and "Rhythm of the Night".

After El and his sister Bunny started their own solo music careers in 1986, Randy and his brothers asked their oldest brother Bobby to join. They recorded the group's fifth album, Bad Boys.

However, this album did not sell well. After some challenges, the rest of the DeBarge group stopped making music together in the late 1980s.

Randy DeBarge's Later Life

Randy DeBarge is a father of five children. In the mid-1990s, he worked to overcome personal challenges.

According to a recent article in JET magazine, Randy's mother shared that he has a health condition that is not life-threatening. Randy DeBarge currently lives in California.

On September 21, 2011, Randy appeared on a TV show called Lifechangers. This show was hosted by Drew Pinsky on The CW Television Network. Randy later entered a program to help with his health. He left the program after 33 days.

DeBarge Music Albums

Randy DeBarge was part of these albums with the group DeBarge:

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