WB & UPN Stars Cedric "The Entertainer" (Steve Harvey Show)Kelly Williams(Family Matters) Guy Torre (UPN) & Darryl McCray C.E.O. House of Nubian Inc.
Not For Sale For Show Only
TLC formed in 1991, when Lopes was 20. The group was developed and first managed by Perri "Pebbles" Reid, an R&B star known for her hits "Girlfriend" and "Mercedes Boy" and then married to L.A. Reid.
The next year, the group made its debut with the multimillion-selling "Ooooooohhh ... On the TLC Tip," which spawned the hits "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" and "Baby-Baby-Baby." Lopes was the group's rapper; Watkins and Thomas handled the vocals. The group attracted attention for their looks and their wardrobe, which included floppy hats and Lopes' trademark, a pair of glasses with a condom in place of the left-eye lens.
In 1994, the group's second album, "CrazySexyCool," became an even bigger hit, helped by the chart-toppers "Waterfalls" and "Creep." The group's songs, written by urban-music stalwarts Dallas Austin, Babyface, Jermaine Dupri and others -- along with participation from TLC -- addressed subjects including safe sex, AIDS and black-on-black crime. "CrazySexyCool" sold at least 4 million copies and became one of the best-selling albums by an all-female group.
Lopes died instantly when the vehicle, which she was driving, slammed into another vehicle on a road in Honduras.
But TLC also had its problems. In 1994, Lopes set fire to the Atlanta-area mansion she shared with former Atlanta Falcon Andre Rison. She pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to a halfway house and five years' probation, as well as a $10,000 fine. Her relationship with Rison was on-and-off for years.
In 1995, the group declared bankruptcy. Among the reasons cited was the management deal with Pebbles Reid.
Lopes didn't appear at a TLC news conference late in 2000. The media reported seeing her with another boyfriend, model Sean Newman, in Chicago, New Orleans, London and Honduras.
Last year, Lopes and Rison were to marry, but the wedding was called off abruptly.
Achieved 4 Top 40 hits in the UK in the 1990s. "Everyday Of The Week" (#19), "One Woman" (#22), "I Wanna Love You" (#13), and the biggest hit "Don't Walk Away" (#7) which sold over 1.5 million singles worldwide.
The top 20 Dance and R&B single "Five-Four-Three-Two (Yo! Time Is Up)" was nominated for Best Dance Video at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, going against Janet Jackson, Madonna Montell Jordan, Salt N Pepa, and Michael Jackson. The group lost to Janet Jackson's "Scream".
Their single "Don't Walk Away" hit #1 on Billboard's Top 40 Rhythmic Singles chart in 1992. "I Wanna Love You" and "One Woman" both went #3.
Tonya Kelly grew up in Chicago listening to jazz vocalists such as Sarah Vaughan and Nat Cole. Joi Marshall is also from the Windy City, but her parents raised her on Motown, especially Diana Ross. The third member of Jade, Di Reed, grew up in Houston singing gospel anywhere she could. The R&B trio from diverse backgrounds hit big with their first three singles: "I Wanna Love You," "Don't Walk Away" and "One Woman." Their gold debut album JADE to the Max sparked a lengthy tour and spots on The Tonight Show, Arsenio and the U.K.'s Top of the Pops.
Phyllis Hyman came to the fore as an artist in the late Seventies, when songs 'Living Inside Your Love', 'Under Your Spell' and particularly 'You Know How To Love Me' introduce her to both dance floor audiences and soul fans. One of the most sophisticated, subtle and stylish soul/jazz singers, Phyllis, although not having major chart success, has gained an enormous and growing loyal following her quality as a singer and for her work.
She was born in Pittsburgh, raised in Philadelphia, and began her professional career in 1971 with a group called the New Direction. Moving to New York she won over clubaudiences and in 1976 was hired by jazz-funk instrumentalist/producer Norman Connors to be a featured vocalist on his album You Are My Startship for Buddah Records. She continues to record with Norman.
Her solo career took off in 1977, initially signed to Buddah and then Arista where in 1979 she teamed up with one of the hottest dance/R&B production teams of the day--Mtume and Lucas--at the most prolific point of her career with both soul and dance audiences.
She continues to release a series of albums for Philadelphia International Records. She ended her life by taking an overdose of sleeping pills in June 30, 1995, just only a week before her birthday and several hours before her scheduled show in a local theater. She passed away less than 2 hours after sent to a local hospital. She died at about 3:15pm
For the world of soul/R&B/Jazz music, Phyllis Hyman still has great influence. Her once-in-a-life-time voice and spirits will remain in her fans' hearts forever and ever. Phyllis--with great tribute.
