Multi-instrumentalist O'Bryan got into the business after a friend (who was in the choir he sang in as a young adult in Southern California) married Ron Kersey, who had worked in Philadelphia with groups like the Trammps in the 1970s. Upon her recommendation, Kersey got O'Bryan into a group he was forming. That quickly fell apart, but Kersey helped the singer connect with Soul Train impresario Don Cornelius, who helped O'Bryan land a deal with Capitol. During the '80s, he cut four albums and nine singles that made the R&B charts. His up-tempo tracks could sound something like a more mainstream Prince, though he tread far closer to the urban contemporary mainstream on his ballads. "The Gigolo" made number five in 1982, and over the next few years he had some up-tempo and ballad follow-ups. "I'm Freaky," which was reminiscent of "Gigolo," was the best of these; "Lovelite" was the most successful. In 2007, he returned with the ballad-heavy F1RST, issued digitally through the Headstorm label with plans for a CD version.In 1982, O'Bryan released his debut album, "Doin' Alright." The album peaked at #10 on Billboard's Black Albums chart and #80 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart.
His first single, "Still Water (Love)" peaked at #23 on Billboard's Black Singles chart. His next single was the upbeat dance hit, "The Gigolo" which peaked at #5 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, #62 on Billboard's Club Play chart, and #57 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart.
In 1983, O'Bryan released his next album, "You and I." The title song (written by the great Stevie Wonder) peaked at #19 on Billboard's Black Singles chart. Another single, "I'm Freaky" hit #15 on Billboard's Black Singles chart. His song, "Soul Train's A Coming" was used for TV's "Soul Train" from 1983-1987.In 1984, his third album, "Be My Lover" was released. The album included the hit ballad, "Lady I Love You" and the funky soul song, "Lovelite" which hit #1 on Billboard's R&B singles chart. Two more singles ("Breakin' Together," peaked at #32 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks) and ("Go On and Cry," peaked at #62 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart) were also released.
In 1986, O'Bryan's final album, "Surrender" was released. The album included the top 40 R&B hit, "Tenderoni" which peaked at #35 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Another single, "Driving Force" peaked at #6o on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. After his final album, O'Bryan left the music business and faded into obscurity.
In 1996, "The Best of O'Bryan" collection cd was released, featuring his most popular songs. After a long break from the music biz, O'Bryan released his new album, "F1rst" in February 2007.
To see O'Bryan's official MySpace page, go to:
To see the video for "Tenderoni," go to:
To see the video for "Lovelite," go to:
To see the video of O'Bryan performing "Together Always" on Soul Train, go to:
To see the video of O'Bryan performing "You And I" on Soul Train, go to:
To see a fan-made video of "Soul Train's 'a Comin," go to:
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