Re-Discover: Switch

Before DeBarge earned our adoration and joined the ranks of musical family royalty, there was Switch. And you can't call yourself a true DeBarge fan if you don't know anything about Switch!

Not to shortchange the other band members, but since Bobby Debarge was lead vocals on the band's two biggest hits - the DeBarge influence is hard to ignore.

Discovered by Jermaine Jackson, who was trying to make good at Motown once his brothers split for Epic Records, Switch consisted of Bobby Debarge (lead vocals), Tommy Debarge, Phillip Ingram, Jody Sims, Greg Williams, and Eddie Fluellen.

Switch was shown enough love to make their first single, "There'll Never Be," a top 10 hit on the R&B charts back in the late 70's. And written by Jermaine Jackson, their second single, "I Wanna Be Closer," was just short of the top 20.

Best known for their first single and the adolescent, love anthem "Call Your Name," Switch remained together only three years before the Debarge brothers went on to join their siblings in DeBarge and Phil Ingram went on to pursue solo ventures.

The group is among many R&B bands that escaped critical acclaim but made an impact on listeners just the same. For every one hit wonder that got the nod from the industry via a Grammy statue and then proceeded to fall into oblivion, there is a Switch whose music, though unrecognized by the shirts and ties of the Recording Association, served as the soundtrack of the lives of many.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic