Genres R&B, funk, soul Role Vocalist Name Curtis Hairston | Years active 1980–1995 Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter | |
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Birth name Curtis Kinnard Hairston Born 10 October 1961
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States ( 1961-10-10 ) Labels Pretty Pearl Records, Atlantic, Reverse Spin Entertainment, Associated acts Luther Vandross, B. B. & Q. Band, Madonna, Richard Marx, Whitney Houston, Change Died January 18, 1996, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States Education Winston-Salem State University Albums The B. B. & Q. Band, Curtis Hairston, Celebrating Curtis Hairston Similar People Tawatha Agee, Mauro Malavasi, Chieli Minucci, Ullanda McCullough, Paolo Gianolio | ||
Music group B. B. & Q. Band (1986) | ||
Curtis hairston i want you all tonight vocal hq
Curtis Kinnard Hairston (10 October 1961 – 18 January 1996) was an American soul/funk vocalist, who had a number of Top 75 hit singles in the UK and US, both as a solo artist and as a featured artist in the B. B. & Q. Band. Hairston's signature hit came in 1985, when he reached #13 in the UK Singles Chart with "I Want Your Lovin' (Just a Little Bit)".
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A longtime sufferer of diabetes, Hairston died of related kidney failure at age 34 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in January 1996. He had attended both Winston-Salem State University and the Juilliard School of Music.
Career
Curtis Hairston had wanted a career in music since he was around 13. After completing his education at the Juliard School of Music in 1980, he immediately started to search for record label contracts. It just so happened, that at the same time; old school friend Earl Monroe had formed a label called Pretty Pearl. Curtis got in contact, and eventually struck a contract deal with Earl.
His debut single in 1983 was "I Want You (All Tonight)". The track proved moderately successful peaking at no. 35 on the US dance chart, and no. 44 in the UK charts. In 1984, he did a cover version of Jimmy Cliff's "We All Are One", which became his first R&B chart hit, reaching no. 72. Curtis had his first major hit in 1985 with "I Want Your Lovin' (Just a Little Bit)" which peaked at no. 13 on the UK Charts. It was so successful that he had an appearance on British music show Top of The Pops, and a music video was also made.
Curtis also provided lead vocals on the majority of tracks from the B. B. & Q. Band's 1985 album. The album was a success, with "Genie" & "Dreamer" being top 40's in the UK. Curtis, however remained uncredited for this act.
In 1986, he left Pretty Pearl and signed on to the much more mainstream label, Atlantic Records. The same year he released first and only studio album, entitled with his name. One of the tracks "Chillin Out" got to #57 in the UK. Additionally, singer Luther Vandross provided backing vocals on some of the songs included with his debut album. Curtis released his last solo single "The Morning After" in 1987.
In 1990, Hairston collaborated with the jazz group Ready For Reality. Curtis unfortunately died in 1996 of Diabetes. In remembrance and tribute of him, Reverse Spin Music released a greatest hits album entitled "Celebrating Curtis Hairston". The compilation included some unreleased songs which he recorded before he passed away.