Soul singer Aaron Neville had a R&B chart-topping single in 1966 with “Tell it Like it is”, but otherwise his songs couldn’t chart. In the late 70s and 80s he earned cult success as one of The Neville Brothers, before he reinvented himself as an Adult Contemporary artist with three hugely successful duets with Linda Ronstadt.
Neville was born in New Orleans in 1941. In the early and mid-60s he recorded several unsuccessful songs for small label Minit, but with Parlo he finally had a big hit when “Tell it Like it is” topped the R&B chart and reached No.2 on the Hot 100 in 1966. Just as quickly as he’d appeared, he disappeared again, being unable to capitalise on that success with any further chart placings.
In 1976 Aaron was one of the founding members of The Neville Brothers, along with brothers Art (the lead singer of The Meters), Charles and Cyril. Aaron’s son Ivan later joined the group too. The Neville Brothers recorded a succession of acclaimed albums throughout the 80s, without ever achieving the commercial success they deserved.
In 1989, Aaron Neville appeared four times duetting with Linda Ronstadt on her new album, Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind. “Don’t Know Much” was a No.2 on the Hot 100 while topping the Adult Contemporary chart, before “All My Life” also topped the AC chart and “When Something is Wrong with My Baby” hit No.5. With his solo career now resuscitated, Neville continued to aim for this market and hit No.1 again with “Everybody Plays the Fool” (1991).
To use the music player, install Flash.
| Editor | Edits |
|---|---|
| Nevillefan | 14 |
| andrew lyman | 2 |
company
