Alexander O’Neal

Alexander O’Neal launched his solo career in 1985 with his self-titled debut album, produced by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Monte Moir. This Tabu Records release delivered three US Top 20 R&B Singles Chart hits, peaking at number 92 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album earned UK Gold certification and included ‘If You Were Here Tonight’ which reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1985, O’Neal secured his first R&B Top 10 single, ‘Saturday Love,’ a duet with Cherrelle, hitting number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and number 26 on the US pop chart.

Earlier, O’Neal joined Flyte Tyme in the early 1980s with Jam, Lewis, and Moir, and recorded 12-inch singles for Erect Records as part of his band, Alexander. O’Neal’s international prominence solidified with his 1987 album Hearsay, again produced by Jam and Lewis. This concept album earned US Gold certification and featured his biggest US hit, ‘Fake,’ which topped the R&B chart and reached number 25 on the pop chart. Hearsay’s UK success was pronounced, soaring to number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and achieving triple platinum certification, spawning six Top 40 singles, including ‘Criticize’ at number 4.

His significant contributions to music were further recognized with a star on the outside mural of the iconic First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis.