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Michael Watford

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Michael Watford
Birth nameMichael Wayne Watford
Born(1959-07-20)July 20, 1959
Suffolk, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJanuary 26, 2024(2024-01-26) (aged 64)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresDance, house
OccupationSinger

Michael Wayne Watford (July 20, 1959 – January 26, 2024) was an American dance music singer, who was born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey.[1] He was best known for his gospel-influenced vocals on house records[2] throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Biography

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Watford was born in Suffolk, Virginia, on July 20, 1959, and was raised in Newark, New Jersey.[3] His mother was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a gospel singer, and Watford's early musical experiences came from singing in church.[3]

Watford's first single, "Holdin' On", was released in 1991.[3] Four of his singles charted on the United States Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the mid-1990s, including "So into You" which hit number one in 1994.[4] The same track peaked at No. 53 on the UK Singles Chart.[5]

Watford's career faltered after 1995, when he was dropped by his label, East West Records, amid administrative turnover.[3] He withdrew from his performing career in the years afterward, running karaoke bars in Newark before a stint working at a welfare office, though he harbored interest in returning to music.[3]

Watford died from dementia at a hospital in Newark on January 26, 2024, at the age of 64.[3][6]

Discography

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Albums

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Singles

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  • "Holdin' On" (1991, Atlantic)
  • "Luv 4-2" (1993, EastWest Records America)
  • "Happy Man" (1994, EastWest)
  • "Love to the World" (1994, EastWest)
  • "So into You" (1994, EastWest) - UK No. 53[7]
  • Love to the World"/"Michael's Prayer" (1994, EastWest)
  • "I Am What I Am (Fire Island Mix)'' (1995, EastWest)
  • "Come Together" - Michael Watford & Robert Owens (1995, Hard Times) - UK No. 94
  • "Love Change Over" (1995, Hard Times) - UK No. 86
  • "Say Something" (1996, Free Bass)
  • "Sunshine" - GTS feat. Michael Watford (1996, Artimage Vinyls)
  • "Return Your Love to Me" (1996, Music Station)
  • "Mighty Love" (1996, Music Station)
  • "You Got It" - Deep Bros. feat. Michael Watford (1997, Azuli Records)
  • "For Your Love" (1997, Free Bass)
  • "I'm Coming Home" - Vice Versa feat. Michael Watford (1997, Azuli)
  • "Heaven Is Calling You" (1997, Ulterior Records)
  • "As" (1998, Soundmen On Wax)
  • "For You" - Jamie Lewis feat. Michael Watford (1999, Purple Music)
  • "Reach On Up" (with Tuff Jam) (1999, Locked On)
  • "Understand Me" - I-D feat. Michael Watford(1999, Hole)
  • "Watcha Gonna Do" - Jon Cutler & Michael Watford (2005, MN2S)
  • "It's Over" - Jamie Lewis & Michael Watford (2006, Purple Music)
  • "One More Time" - John Made vs Michael Watford (2006, Dream Beat)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 363. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  2. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Michael Watford - Michael Watford review". AllMusic. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Bernstein, Jacob (February 4, 2024). "Michael Watford, a Minister of Gospel House Music, Dies at 64". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 276.
  5. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 593. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ Lawson, Michael (January 29, 2024). "Michael Watford, prolific US house vocalist, dies". Resident Advisor. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "MICHAEL WATFORD | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
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