Genres Soul, R&B Role Singer Name Gregory Abbott | Years active 1985–present Children Gregory Abbott, Jr. | |
 | ||
Born April 2, 1954 (age 69) ( 1954-04-02 ) Labels ColumbiaLegacyMojo Man Similar People Freda Payne, Terence Trent D'Arby, Billy Ocean, Freddie Jackson, Billy Paul Profiles | ||
Instruments Keyboard, Piano, Drums | ||
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down
Gregory Joel Abbott (born April 2, 1954) is an American singer, musician, composer and producer. Abbott is best known for his singles in the mid–1980s including his platinum single, Shake You Down, from his 1986 debut album.
Contents
- Gregory Abbott Shake You Down
- Soundtrack tap gregory abbott strong as steel diane warren
- Early life
- Career
- Personal life
- Albums
- Other Singles
- References
Soundtrack tap gregory abbott strong as steel diane warren
Early life
Born Gregory Joel Abbott in New York City, New York, Abbott's parents came from Venezuela and Antigua. During his early years, Abbott's mother taught him how to play piano and encouraged him to develop vocally. Before his career as musician, Abbott studied psychology at University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1975 and creative writing at Stanford; where he won a Wallace Stegner fellowship. Abbott taught English at University of California, Berkeley.
Career
One of Abbott's first opportunities in his studio was an album for an independent record label, which gave him the opportunity to do a duet with Whitney Houston. Continuing on, Abbott produced for the group EQ on Atlantic Records. In 1986, Abbott released his first solo album, Shake You Down. The title track for the album was a success, going platinum and topping the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "I Got The Feelin’ (It's Over)" which reached Number 5 on the R&B chart. With the strength of its singles, the album propelled to platinum status and earned Abbott several awards.
Internationally, Abbott carried much success, winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival. The title track of his second album, "I'll Prove It To You" which was released in 1988, was featured on a Japanese movie soundtrack. In Belgium, he performed with Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Over the years much of his new music has been released via singles on his own Mojo Man Entertainment label. Abbott has continued with his R&B sound but in addition he has added a Caribbean/Soul feel as well. In 2011, an album entitled "Drop Your Mask" was released; and Abbott continues to release new singles two to four times a year.
Personal life
Abbott has been married once. In December 1976, Abbott then 22 years old married American singer Freda Payne, who was 34 years old at the time in a ceremony in Chicago. Abbott and Payne had a son, Gregory Joel Abbott, Jr born September 19, 1977; which was Payne's 35th birthday. Abbott and Payne divorced in August 1979.Abbott is a dual citizen of the United States and Antigua.