Saunders was born in Philadelphia and sang in church from an early age. He developed his style after David Ruffin of The Temptations and Marvin Junior of The Dells and, encouraged by family and friends, pursued a career in music. He formed his first group as a teenager, which eventually merged into a neighborhood act called New Day. During a live performance, he was noticed by the Philadelphia singer, songwriter and producer Harold Melvin. Following a tour of England, Melvin recruited Saunders, in 1982, to replace then lead singer David Ebo in his group Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.[3]
They toured extensively overseas with acts like Billy Paul and The Three Degrees. During a London concert performance, Saunders was introduced as the new lead singer of Harold Melvin & Blue Notes. In 1984, Saunders sang lead on the international dance music hit "Today's Your Lucky Day" from the Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' album Talk It Up (Tell Everybody).[4]
The album produced three Billboard R&B chart hits, "Today's Your Lucky Day", "Don't Give Me Up" and "I Really Love You". Saunders was also co-lead with Melvin on the track "What We Both Need (Is Love)" which was popular on the local Philadelphia radio station WDAS-FM.
The Talk It Up (Tell Everybody) album was recorded at Alpha International Studios in Philadelphia. The vocal line-up included Saunders with Melvin, Bill Spratley, Dwight "Blackey" Johnson and Rufus Thorne. The video for "Today's Your Lucky Day" which featured the female vocalist Nikko, was filmed at a transformed club in south Philadelphia designed to look like a Las Vegas-style casino.[5]
Saunders recorded and toured with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for ten years before pursuing a solo career. His performances with the group were documented in a 1986 P.B.S. television special.
Discography
Albums
1984: Talk It Up (Tell Everybody) (Philly World)
Singles
With Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
1984: "Don't Give Me Up"
1984: "Today's Your Lucky Day"
1984: "I Really Love You"
Gil Saunders Solo Singles
2007: I Beg You To Stay (Heartfelt/Independent)
2007: Christmas (Heartfelt/Independent)
2008: "In the Heat", "Let's Turn In", "In My Wildest Dreams" etc.
2009: "Yes We Can"
References
^Fisher Jack, "Gil Saunders: Former Lead Singer of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Has Died", February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021
saunders, confused, with, gill, saunders, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, s. Not to be confused with Gill Saunders This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Gil Saunders news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Gil Saunders 1952 February 4 2021 1 2 was an American soul singer who came to fame as lead singer with Harold Melvin amp the Blue Notes Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 2 1 Albums 2 2 Singles 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditSaunders was born in Philadelphia and sang in church from an early age He developed his style after David Ruffin of The Temptations and Marvin Junior of The Dells and encouraged by family and friends pursued a career in music He formed his first group as a teenager which eventually merged into a neighborhood act called New Day During a live performance he was noticed by the Philadelphia singer songwriter and producer Harold Melvin Following a tour of England Melvin recruited Saunders in 1982 to replace then lead singer David Ebo in his group Harold Melvin amp The Blue Notes 3 They toured extensively overseas with acts like Billy Paul and The Three Degrees During a London concert performance Saunders was introduced as the new lead singer of Harold Melvin amp Blue Notes In 1984 Saunders sang lead on the international dance music hit Today s Your Lucky Day from the Harold Melvin amp The Blue Notes album Talk It Up Tell Everybody 4 The album produced three Billboard R amp B chart hits Today s Your Lucky Day Don t Give Me Up and I Really Love You Saunders was also co lead with Melvin on the track What We Both Need Is Love which was popular on the local Philadelphia radio station WDAS FM The Talk It Up Tell Everybody album was recorded at Alpha International Studios in Philadelphia The vocal line up included Saunders with Melvin Bill Spratley Dwight Blackey Johnson and Rufus Thorne The video for Today s Your Lucky Day which featured the female vocalist Nikko was filmed at a transformed club in south Philadelphia designed to look like a Las Vegas style casino 5 Saunders recorded and toured with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for ten years before pursuing a solo career His performances with the group were documented in a 1986 P B S television special Discography EditAlbums Edit 1984 Talk It Up Tell Everybody Philly World Singles Edit With Harold Melvin amp The Blue Notes 1984 Don t Give Me Up 1984 Today s Your Lucky Day 1984 I Really Love You Gil Saunders Solo Singles 2007 I Beg You To Stay Heartfelt Independent 2007 Christmas Heartfelt Independent 2008 In the Heat Let s Turn In In My Wildest Dreams etc 2009 Yes We Can References Edit Fisher Jack Gil Saunders Former Lead Singer of Harold Melvin amp The Blue Notes Has Died February 4 2021 Retrieved February 5 2021 Gilbert W Saunders Heartfelt Showbiz Info Heartfeltshowbiz com Album information at Billboard magazine R amp B Showcase magazine interview with Saunders fall 2005 Archived from the original on 2017 07 31 Retrieved 2009 01 23 External links EditHarold Melvin amp the Blue Notes at Legacy Recordings Gil Saunders at AllMusic Gil Saunders discography at Discogs Harold Melvin amp Blue Notes at Soul Tracks Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gil Saunders amp oldid 1103546612, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
