In Memory - Gerald Levert

"As everybody knows, Gerald was a man who lived and breathed music. To his family and friends he was a man of strong character, who had an infectious personality and a zest for life. For his fans, his greatest love was touching the hearts and souls of all people through his music." This is the statement released by Gerald's family.

Friday at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, R&B legend Gerald Levert died in his sleep of a heart attack at the young age of 40. He was pronounced dead at Geauga Community Hospital on Friday, November 11, 2006.

Born on July 13, 1966 in Cleveland, "Teddy Bear," as Gerald was called, was a singer, songwriter and producer on the Atlantic and Elektra labels. He sprung from the musical Levert family. His father, Eddie Levert, is the lead singer of the 1970's group The O'Jays. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He also formed the musical group LSG, with Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert - with four of their seven albums going platinum.

In 1991 Gerald went number one on the R&B charts with his solo album, Private Line, and in 1992 Gerald, together with his father, hit number one again on the R&B charts with the single, "Baby Hold On to Me".

He's written, produced and collaborated with artists such as Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, James Ingram, The Winans and The O'Jays, Barry White, The Rude Boyz, Men at Large, Johnny Gill, Keith Sweat and Gospel greats, Yolanda Adams and the Winans. His most recent album was 2005's "Voices."

Gerald was extremely busy in his final days. He had just completed a new album due for release in early 2007, and was working on a book titled "I Got Your Back,", along with Eddie Levert and Lyah LaFlore. He had also just completed a documentery with Eddie about the legendary O'Jays. Also in the works was a reality show where he and ten female fans would diet together - the fan losing the most weight would be the lead in his next video. He also had completed work on a debut album for his daughter Carlysia, who appeared on the MTV show, My Super Sweet 16.

"He was such a great entertainer. It's not for real to me that he is gone ... Nobody was prepared for this," stated friend and fellow singer Patti LaBelle.

To commemorate the life and legacy of Gerald Levert, the City of Cleveland will rename East 25th between Superior and Saint Clair as Gerald Levert Lane.

For all those wishing to send a token of love, appreciation or condolences, the Levert family is asking that donations be made to the R&B Foundation. Checks should be written in the name of the R&B Foundation and forwarded to Andy Gibson c/o Trevel Productions, Inc., 13816 Cedar Road, University Heights, OH 44118.

"All of us at Atlantic are shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death. He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer," Gerald's music label said in a statement.

You will be missed!

Soundtrack - filmography
1. Crank (2006) (performer: "Let's Get It On")
2. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) (performer: "Reach Out, I'll Be There", "Shotgun")
3. The Fast and the Furious (2001) (writer: "Mercedes Benz")
4. Bamboozled (2000) (writer: "Dream With No Love") (performer: "Dream With No Love")
5. Down in the Delta (1998) (writer: "Where Would I Be")
6. Coming to America (1988) (writer: "Addicted To Love") (producer: "Addicted To Love")
7. Action Jackson (1988) (producer: "FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY")

Actor - filmography
1. "The Parkers" .... Tad Radcliffe, T's Father (1 episode, 2003)
- I Never Rapped for My Father (2003) TV Episode .... Tad Radcliffe, T's Father
2. "The Jamie Foxx Show" .... Charles / ... (2 episodes, 1998-2001)
- Always and Forever (2001) TV Episode .... Charles Young
- Just Don't Do It (1998) TV Episode .... Charles
3. New Jack City (1991) .... Singers - Winter - (Levert)

Self - filmography
1. An All-Star Salute to Patti LaBelle: Live from Atlantis (2005) (TV) .... Himself
2. Made You Look: Top 25 Moments of BET History (2005) (TV) .... Himself
3. The Best of Keith Sweat: Make You Sweat (2005) (V) (as LSG) .... Himself (segment "My Body")
4. "Tavis Smiley" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode dated 9 December 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Himself
5. The 10th Annual Walk of Fame Honoring Smokey Robinson (2004) (TV) .... Himself
6. BET Comedy Awards (2004) (TV) .... Himself
7. Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem (2004) (TV) .... Himself
8. Motown 45 (2004) (TV) .... Himself
9. 2004 Trumpet Awards (2004) (TV) .... Himself
10. An Evening of Stars: 25th Anniversary Tribute to Lou Rawls (2004) (TV) .... Himself
11. The 9th Annual Walk of Fame Honoring Aretha Franklin (2003) (TV) .... Performer
12. The 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (2003) (TV) .... Himself
13. The 8th Annual Walk of Fame Honoring Stevie Wonder (2002) (TV) .... Himself
14. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) .... Himself
15. "The Hughleys" .... Himself (1 episode, 2002)
- Leaving Las Vegas (2002) TV Episode .... Himself
16. An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (2001) (TV) .... Himself
17. "Soul Food" .... Himself (1 episode, 2000)
- Samurai Secrets (2000) TV Episode .... Himself
18. The 26th Annual American Music Awards (1998) (TV) (as Gerald LaVert) .... Himself
19. "New York Undercover" .... Himself (3 episodes, 1995-1997)
- School's Out (1997) TV Episode .... Himself
- Andre's Choice (1996) TV Episode .... Himself
- The Smoking Section (1995) TV Episode .... Himself
20. The 9th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (1995) (TV) .... Himself - Performer
21. The History of Rock 'N' Roll, Vol. 5 (1995) (TV) .... Himself
22. "It's Showtime at the Apollo" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1989-1992)
- Episode dated 25 April 1992 (1992) TV Episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 8 April 1989 (1989) TV Episode (as Levert) .... Himself
23. The 19th Annual American Music Awards (1992) (TV) .... Himself
24. The 3rd Annual Soul Train Music Awards (1989) (TV) .... Himself/performer
25. The 2nd Annual Soul Train Music Awards (1988) (TV) .... Himself
26. The 15th Annual American Music Awards (1988) (TV) .... Himself/Presenter
27. "Soul Train" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1985-1987)
- Episode #17.1 (1987) TV Episode (as Levert) .... Himself
- Episode #14.23 (1985) TV Episode (as Levert) .... Himself

Solo Albums
1991 Private Line (#1 R&B, #48 Pop)
1995 Groove On (#2 R&B, #18 Pop)
1995 Father & Son (#2, R&B, #20 Pop)
1998 Love & Consequences (#2 R&B, #17 Pop)
1999 G (#2 R&B, #8 Pop)
2001 Gerald's World (#2 R&B, #6 Pop)
2002 The G Spot (#2 R&B, #9 Pop)
2003 A Stroke of Genius (#1 R&B, #6 Pop)
2004 Do I Speak for the World (#7 R&B, #29 Pop)
2005 Voices (#27 R&B, #115 Pop)

Albums (Levert)
1985 I Get Hot
1986 Bloodline (#8 R&B, #192 Pop)
1987 The Big Throwdown (#3 R&B, #32 Pop)
1988 Just Coolin' (#6 R&B, #79 Pop)
1990 Rope A Dope Style (#9 R&B, #122 Pop)
1993 For Real Tho' (#5 R&B, #35 Pop)
1997 The Whole Scenario (#10 R&B, #49 Pop)

Albums (LSG)
1997 Levert.Sweat.Gill (#2 R&B, #4 Pop)
2003 LSG2 (#3 R&B, #6 Pop)

Top Ten R&B Singles
1986 Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop (Goes My Mind) (#1 R&B) (Levert)
1987 Casanova (#1 R&B, #5 Pop) (Levert)
1987 My Forever Love (#2 R&B) (Levert)
1988 Sweet Sensation (#4 R&B) (Levert)
1988 That's What Love Is (#4 R&B) (with Miki Howard)
1988 Addicted to You (#1 R&B) (Levert)
1988 Pull Over (#2 R&B) (Levert)
1989 Just Coolin' (#1 R&B) (Levert with Heavy D)
1989 Gotta Get The Money (#4 R&B) (Levert)
1990 Rope A Dope Style (#7 R&B) (Levert)
1990 All Season (#4 R&B) (Levert)
1991 Baby I'm Ready (#1 R&B) (Levert)
1991 Private Line (#1 R&B)
1992 Baby Hold On To Me (#1 R&B, #37 Pop) (with Eddie Levert)
1992 School Me (#3 Pop)
1992 Can You Handle It (#9 R&B)
1993 abc-123 (#5 R&B) (Levert)
1994 I'd Give Anything (#4 R&B, #28 Pop)
1995 Already Missing You (#7 R&B, #75 Pop) (with Eddie Levert)
1997 My Body (#1 R&B, #4 Pop) (LSG)
1998 Thinkin' Bout It (#2 R&B, #12 Pop)
1999 Taking Everything (#3 R&B, #11 Pop)