Saunders, Gil (1952-4th February 2021)

He was a singer-songwriter born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who lost his parents at a young age and began in music as a child when he sang in church and was encouraged to continue by his friends and family.

He began his career when he was a teenager by putting together a group, which evolved into the act known as Nu Daye and while performing he caught the eye of Harold Melvin. After Melvin had completed a tour in England with The Blue Notes he called upon him to replace David Ebo as their lead singer. He joined them in 1982 and was soon touring and recording on a national and international level, and sang lead on their Billboard R&B chart hits “Don’t Give Me Up”, “I Really Love You” and “Today’s Your Lucky Day” which were all taken from the album Talk It Up, (Tell Everybody). He also featured on a PBS special about the group in 1984 and the 1999 compilation album The Sound of Philadelphia Live in London.

He left the group in 1992 after ten years in order to follow his career as a solo singer and released several singles that include “Christmas”, “I Beg You To Stay” and “Let’s Turn In”.

Through the course of his career he performed with many other artists that include Peabo Bryson, The Chi-Lites, The Delfonics, The Dells, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, Billy Paul, The Spinners and The Stylistics.

He died of multiple sclerosis and lung cancer in February 2020 when he was 68 years old.

Sources:

Saunders, Gil (1952-4th February 2021)

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