.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Donny Gerrard, who scored a hit with “Wildflower” as the lead vocalist for the group Skylark, has died. He was 75.
Gerrard died Thursday (Feb. 3) and had been under hospice care amid a battle with cancer, publicist Bill Carpenter told The Hollywood Reporter. “Our dear brother Donny passed away early this morning at home, peacefully, surrounded by family,” said Adam Ayers from Red Light Management in a statement released Thursday.
Born in Vancouver, Canada, on March 19, 1946, Gerrard was the singer for the early 1970s band Skylark, which counted producer David Foster as a keyboardist. Their 1973 breakout ballad “Wildflower” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later sampled on Jamie Foxx’s 2005 platinum-certified hit “Unpredictable.”
By 1975, Skylark had split up, and Gerrard focused on a solo career. He signed with Elton John’s Rocket Record Company and dropped the single “(Baby) Don’t Let It Mess Your Mind,” in addition to providing background vocals on John’s 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.
Soon after, Gerrard signed with Greedy Records, and in 1976, he recorded his self-titled debut album, featuring “Words (Are Impossible),” which became his highest-charting solo track. It reached No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In the 1980s, he provided backup vocals on recordings for numerous top-tier artists, including Bette Midler, Neil Diamond, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, B.B. King and Dusty Springfield.
Gerrard would team up again with Foster on 1985 charity single “Tears Are Not Enough,” featuring a long list of renowned vocalists. Gerrard and Bryan Adams performed a line as a duet for the song that Foster co-wrote and co-produced and which was included on the Quincy Jones-produced album We Are the World.
More recently, Gerrard released The Romantic, a 2000 album of pop standards, and performed vocals on Mavis Staples’ Grammy-winning 2010 album You Are Not Alone.
He is survived by wife Myra, sons Cooper Gerrard and Traie Payne, sisters Dale Peck and Yvonne Gerrard and brother Kenny Gerrard.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
-
Watch Flavor Flav Ring the New York Stock Exchange’s Closing Bell & Send the Gavel Flying Into Crowd
The Public Enemy rapper joined the U.S. Women's Water Polo Team he sponsored at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
-
Remy Ma Goes Topless In Racy 'Outta Control' Video With Fat Joe
Remy Ma has debuted a risqué new look in her new “Outta Control” video with Fat Joe and Cool & Dre.
-
Bakar announces London 2024 Alexandra Palace show
The musician said the gig will be his "best one yet"
-
Macklemore accidentally invites a woman wanted by police on stage in Slovakia
The woman's social media post boasting about the experience led to her arrest
-
Don McLean worried for “monster star” Taylor Swift: “I hope she stays happy”
He described her as “such a smart lady” and “so talented”
-
Fans react to divisive new Man City kit, designed in collaboration with Noel Gallagher
"I love a Noel Gallagher song but what the fuck does he know about typography"
-
Screenwriter And Musician Lamar Woods Returns To Music With Flavorful Sophomore Album, ‘Highly Sensitive Person’
Authentic, humble, creative, and genius—these words capture the essence of screenwriter and musician Lamar Woods.
-
Kanye West Is 'Beating Up' His Wife Bianca Censori, Azealia Banks Claims
Kanye West is allegedly beating up his wife Bianca Censori, according to claims made by Azealia Banks, during a rant about Ye’s business life.
-
Nicki Minaj Fires Back At Stephen A. Smith Over JAY-Z Super Bowl Rant Criticism
Nicki Minaj has some words for Stephen A. Smith after the famed sports commentator criticized her recent rant about JAY-Z.
-
Kai Cenat Puts Snoop Dogg's Blunt-Rolling Skills To The Test: 'How Fast Can You Roll Up?'
Kai Cenat has challenged weed hall of famer Snoop Dogg‘s blunt-rolling skills, putting him to the test in a new video clip.
-
Big Sean Cites Eminem Collab As A "Full Circle Moment" For His Career
Sean Don was honored.
-
Azealia Banks Encourages Taylor Swift To Sue Elon Musk Over Creepy Tweet
Azealia Banks is disgusted.
-
Royal Deb displays her Jamaican roots new reggae single “Somebody For Everybody”
Since Royal Deb was just a child in St. Ann, Jamaica, she has been immersed in the reggae music scene.
-
FP Relly releases one-two punch of hip-hop songs in “Enjoy the Life/Fast Money” off his newest album Perseverance Vol. 1.
Atlanta based rapper FP Relly has just dropped a brand new one-two punch of songs, complete with a music video, that will show how he enjoys life and strives to get that bag.
-
Indie Singer-songwriter Lizz Pens a Song for Healing in Latest Single ‘There’s A Place’
Singaporean singer-songwriter Lizz shares her recent single, “There’s A Place,” an ode to healing in the face of suffering and war.
-
Petty Human Emotions releases crowd pleasing rocker “Sadness,” off their new album Outside
Petty Human Emotions has released a fan favorite new single, “Sadness,” that singer and guitar-ist James Nardiello said is always a banger at their shows, and translates well onto record.
-
ASTAR Shines Brightly with Pop-Afro Single ‘TTL TTR’
Singer and philanthropist Astou Sandra Smith—better known as ASTAR—is set to release her latest single, “TTL TTR.”
-
T'Myh B Makes Falling in Love Fun Again with Latest Single ‘Honey’
Singer and songwriter Tamiyah Alexis Brown—known as T'Myh B—is doubling down on love with an upbeat single about taking the first step.
COMMENTS
Leave a comment