Soul And / Or Related Artists
gerald alston

Gerald Alston

b. Gerald Alston, 8th November 1951, Henderson, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Gerald Alston is, most famously, known as the lead singer of the Soul group, the Manhattans, post 1970.

He was part of the group spanning two era's.

The Manhattans

with the manhattans (on the left)

Firstly from 1970 until 1988, when he left the group to record some solo albums, rejoining in 2007 up until the present day.

Born in Henderson, Gerald is the nephew of the Gospel singer Johnny Fields and also the son of Rev. J.B. Alston.

His uncle is Johnny Fields of The Blind Boys, whilst his aunt is Shirley Alston Reeves, the former lead singer of The Shirelles.

Gerald sang as a young man in the church choir, then forming the New Imperials, another Gospel group who also sang under the name of the Gospel Jubilee.

He hooked up with the Manhattans following a visit to his home town, where the group hired some of his own performing equipment.

The group overheard Gerald singing with his group and asked him to join their group at the age on 17.

He joined the Manhattans in 1970, shortly after the death of their former lead singer George 'Smitty' Smith.

With the Manhattans, he can be hears singing lead vocals on many of the group's hits, including 'Kiss And Say Goodbye', 'There's No Me Without You', and 'Shining Star' (for which he won a Grammy).

Gerald (with the Manhattans) sang the duet 'Where Did We Go Wrong' b/w 'Maybe Tomorrow' (in 1986) with Regina Belle, on her recording debut (produced by Bobby Womack).

Geral AlstonOpen InvitationAlways In The MoodFirst Class Only

gerald alston - 1988 / open invitation - 1990 / always in the mood - 1992 / first class only - 1994

Between 1988 and 1995, Gerald left the group to record five albums (including his 2008 tribute to Sam Cooke), along with ten solo singles, including 'Take Me Where You Want To', 'Send For Me' and 'Activated, mainly for the Motown Records imprint.

Gerald, as a solo artist, released 'Open Invitation' in 1990, which included 'Slow Motion' and 'Getting Back Into Love'.

Two years later he released 'Always in the Mood', which was followed by 'First Class Only' in 1994.

In 2007 he rejoined the ranks of the Manhattans, with whom he has remained until the present day.

Sings Sam Cooke

gerald alston sings sam cooke - 2008

In 2008, he released 'Gerald Alston Sings Sam Cooke', which was released on CD Baby.

Gerald Alston

http://www.gerald-alston.com/

Real Player

Albums:

Gerald Alston (Motown Records 1988)

Open Invitation (Motown Records 1990)

Always in the Mood (Motown Records 1992)

First Class Only (Street Records 1994)

Gerald Alston Sings Sam Cooke (CD Baby 2008)

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