Celebrity Underrated - The Bobby DeBarge Story (R&B Group Switch)
The Rise and Struggles of the DeBarge Family
Background of the Barge Family
- The Barge family was a prominent musical group in the 1980s, consisting of siblings L. Randy, James, Martin, and Bunny DeBarge.
- Before their fame, two older brothers, Bobby and Tommy DeBarge, were part of a music group called Switch. Bobby served as the lead vocalist.
Early Life and Challenges
- Bobby DeBarge was born on March 5th, 1956, in Detroit; he faced severe abuse from his father Robert Sr., which impacted his later life choices.
- Adaline DeBarge often sought help from authorities due to her husband's abuse but received little support because of racial dynamics at the time.
- Growing up biracial posed challenges for Bobby and his siblings both socially and academically; they turned to music as an escape from their struggles.
Musical Journey Begins
- In high school, Bobby and Tommy began performing locally; by 1975, Bobby secured a job playing piano with Barry White before transitioning to work on demos for record labels.
- Despite initial success with Switch after signing with Motown's Gordy Records in 1978, personal issues led to Bobby's struggle with addiction that sidelined him from the group’s activities.
Transitioning Careers
- After rejoining Switch following recovery from drug addiction, they released successful albums including their self-titled debut featuring hits like "There Never Be." However, personal turmoil continued to plague Bobby.
- Rumors suggest that Bobby wrote "I Call Your Name" for LaToya Jackson during their relationship; after their breakup, he fell into deeper depression exacerbated by substance abuse.
Consequences of Addiction
- As drug use escalated alongside struggles with sexuality and identity issues—leading him to frequent gay bars—his career suffered significantly despite initial successes with Motown records.
- Eventually dropped from Motown due to his drug problems and facing financial difficulties led him down a darker path involving drug dealing alongside his brother Chico DeBarge who also faced legal troubles related to drugs.