Alexander O'Neal Biography

Alexander O’Neal, born in 1953 in Mississippi, is an American R&B singer known for his contributions to the genre since the mid-1980s. After completing his education at Alcorn State University, he relocated to Minneapolis, where he began a full-time career in music. O'Neal started as a member of the local cover band The Mystics, later joining the bands Enterprise and Flyte Tyme, which was later renamed The Time. His creative differences with Prince, the band's frontman, led O'Neal to leave The Time before they gained major recognition.

In 1985, O’Neal launched his solo career with the debut album "Alexander O’Neal," which produced successful singles such as "Innocent," "If You Were Here Tonight," and "A Broken Heart Can Mend." One of his most popular tracks, "Saturday Love," a duet with Cherrelle, achieved significant success on both R&B and mainstream charts, solidifying O'Neal's status as a leading R&B artist of his era.

O'Neal's subsequent albums include "Hearsay," "My Gift to You," "All True Man," "Love Makes No Sense," "Lovers Again," "Saga of a Married Man," and "Alex Loves." His work has generated several notable hits, including "What’s Missing," "Criticize," and "Never Knew Love Like This" (also with Cherrelle), among others.

He released his Christmas album, "My Gift to You," in 1988, which featured a cover of "The Christmas Song" that reached the UK Top 40. His fourth album, "All True Man," was released in 1991 and certified gold in the US. The title track made its mark on both the R&B and pop charts, while the album reached #2 in the UK. His first greatest hits compilation, "This Thing Called Love: The Greatest Hits of Alexander O’Neal," also achieved Top 5 success in the UK.

After leaving Tabu Records, O’Neal signed with Motown, but no new releases materialized during that period. He returned to the music scene with "Lovers Again" in 1996 under One World Records and later released "Saga of a Married Man" in 2001 on Eagle Records. His live album, "Alexander O’Neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo," was recorded in 2005, showcasing his extensive career.

In recent years, O’Neal has continued to engage with his audience by releasing new music and participating in various projects. Notably in 2016, he collaborated with Manchester-based funk band Mamma Freedom on a re-recording of his classic song "Fake." His 2017 project, "Hearsay30," celebrated the anniversary of his 1987 album. O'Neal's appearances at events such as the Soul Train Awards in 2019 and the collaboration on the song "Say His Name" in 2021 highlight his ongoing relevance in the music industry.