Gerald levert bloodline full album1/29/2024 I hope that Sean is with his brother again singing much like they did here on Earth, matching jackets, fancy footwork, bright smiles and all. Thankfully there are plenty of musical memories for the masses to cherish. It is sad to me that it can’t ever happen. I always hoped that there would be a LeVert reunion one day, as they were one of my favorite groups from the late ’80s and early ’90s. Each time I saw Gerald live, Sean joined his brother on stage for my all-time favorite LeVert jam, “Casanova.” The crowd always went crazy on that one and showed Sean a lot of love. Still, I have very fond memories of Sean. It just never seemed to play out that way. Obviously I have no idea about how their family dynamic works or the nature of their relationships, but I guess the idealist in me wanted to see one big, united Levert front, the two sons beside their daddy. When I’d see Eddie and Gerald recording hit duets, performing together, and releasing books, I wanted Sean to be included. I actually liked his best-known solo single, the 1995 Top 40 R&B charter “Put Your Body Where Your Mouth Is,” but it seemed like it and the album “The Other Side” didn’t get much push. Part of me always rooted for Sean and wanted him to get some shine. The Jacksons had Michael, DeBarge had El, Sister Sledge had Kathy – it’s just par for the course. Granted, every family act has a standout lead singer. I was always a bit bothered by the way Sean was relegated to being in Gerald’s shadow. Nobody deserves to be put under that kind of pressure. More importantly, Gerald and Sean were two different people, with two distinct voices. This was both unfair and poorly timed, as moving into the slot left vacant in the wake of his brother’s death was likely the last thing on his mind. It’s something you have to do,” they’d say. “You’ve gotta step up and carry on Gerald’s legacy. Many people urged Sean to fill Gerald’s shoes. But it wasn’t long before a troubling theme began to run through a lot of the commentary. The outpouring of grief from the family’s colleagues and fans was instant and abundant, as radio programs, television shows and magazines highlighted the popular singer’s legacy through moving tributes and testimonials. I remember the days after Gerald passed when a quiet, grieving Sean made his way through interviews, his blood-shot, tear-filled eyes hidden behind dark glasses. Watching Eddie and Sean endure the loss of Gerald together was bad enough, so I cannot imagine being in Eddie’s position and reliving such a devastating blow. It pains me to think of what he must be feeling. Two-thirds of LeVert is gone, and Eddie has lost another son in less than two years. But the death of this father, son and brother is bigger than any issues he may have had. It’s yet another tragic chapter in the Levert family saga, as the clan is still reeling from Gerald’s untimely passing in 2006 and the merciless flogging Sean was receiving in the press and the blogosphere regarding child support woes just last week. Which is why the news of Sean’s March 30 death hit everybody so hard. To the black community, the Leverts are more than mere singers. In all their S-Curl, stonewash jean-laden glory, they held the family torch high for our generation, and we loved it. A few years down the line, my sister and I watched the trio LeVert – Gerald Levert, his little brother Sean, and Marc Gordon – croon, step and shuffle to hits like “Casanova,” “Pull Over” and “My Forever Love” on “Soul Train” and “Video Soul.” In fact, one of my first concert experiences was seeing them live at the Hampton Coliseum when I was about 11. I don’t ever remember life without the Levert family.īack in the day, O’Jays albums like “Family Reunion” and “So Full of Love” were in heavy rotation on Saturdays while my Mom cleaned house, filling the walls with lead singer Eddie Levert’s unmistakable soul shouting.
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