Gregory Abbott

Gregory Abbott (born April 2, 1954) is an American soul and R&B singer, musician, composer and producer. Abbott is best known for his singles in the mid–1980s including his platinum single, Shake You Down, from his 1986 debut album.

Biography

Abbott's parents came from Venezuela and Antigua. He is a dual citizen of the US and Antigua. During his early years, Abbott's mother taught him how to play piano and encouraged him to develop vocally.

Before his career as musician, Abbott studied psychology at University of California, Berkeley and creative writing at Stanford; where he won a Wallace Stegner fellowship. Also, he has taught English at University of California, Berkeley.

One of Abbott's first opportunities in his studio was an album for an independent record label, which gave him the opportunity to do a duet with Whitney Houston. Continuing on, Abbott produced for the group EQ on Atlantic Records.

In 1986, Abbott released his first solo album, Shake You Down. The title track for the album was a success, going platinum and topping the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "I Got The Feelin’ (It's Over)" which reached Number 5 on the R&B chart. With the strength of its singles, the album propelled to platinum status and earned Abbott several awards.

Internationally, Abbott carried much success, winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival. The title track of his second album, "I'll Prove It To You" which was released in 1988, was featured on a Japanese movie soundtrack. In Belgium, he performed with Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

Over the years much of his new music has been released via singles on his own Mojo Man Entertainment label. Abbott has continued with his R&B sound but in addition he has added a Caribbean/Soul feel as well. In 2011, an album entitled "Drop Your Mask" was released; and Abbott continues to release new singles two to four times a year.

Personal life

Abbott was married to American singer Freda Payne from 1976 until 1979; they had a son, Gregory Abbott, Jr.

Discography

Albums

• 1986 – Shake You Down (Columbia Records)
• 1988 – I'll Prove It to You (Columbia Records)

"Back to Stay"• "Prisoner of Love"• "I'll Prove It to You"• "Runaway"• "Unfinished Business"• "Crazy Over You"• "Let Me Be Your Hero"• "Take Me Back"• "Two of a Kind"• "She's an Entertainer"

• 1996 – One World! (Musik International)
• 1998 – Super Hits (Legacy Recordings)
• 2002 – Eyes, Whispers, Rhythm, Sex... (Musik International)
• 2005 – Dancing the Inner Realm... (Musik International-Mojo Man)
• 2006 – Rhyme and Reason
• 2011 – Anniversary Edition of "Shake You Down" (Friday Music)
• 2011 – "Drop Your Mask"

Singles

• 1986 – "Shake You Down" (US: #1; UK: #6 – on UK charts for 13 weeks; SA: #12)
• 1986 – "I Got The Feelin' (It's Over)" (US Billboard: #5 R&B, #56 Pop; US Cashbox: #55 Top Singles)
• 1988 – "I'll Prove It To You"
• 1988 – "Let Me Be Your Hero"
• 1994 – "Handyman"
• 1994 – "Do The Caribbean"
• 2002 – "Sexual"
• 2003 – "Three Little Birds" Duet with Phoebe Snow
• 2007 – "Middle of Harlem"
• 2007 – "Shake You Down" (Re-Make)
• 2009 – "Baby Mama"
• 2011 – "Soul Food"
• 2011 – "Eyes"
• 2012 – "Island Woman"
• 2012 – "Sugar Sugar"
• 2013 – "Rock You Gently"
• 2014 – "Every Little Step"
• 2014 – "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
• 2015 – "How Deep Is Your Love"
• 2015 – "Stir It Up"

• Guinness British Hit Singles (13th ed.), London, UK: Guinness World Records Ltd, 2000, p. 69, ISBN 0-85112-111-X 
• Rock.co.za
• Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffmann, Frank W (1994). Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993. Libraries Unlimited. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-56308-316-7.