He was a drummer born to an Antiguan father and a Trinidadian mother who first performed with the group Labelle in the 1970s followed by Ecstasy Passion & Pain.
From 1976 he was an original member of the successful group Chic and stayed with them until their disbandment in 1983 and following that he remained a session drummer with the group’s founders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards who had become sought after and busy producers.
In this capacity he has been heard performing on countless recordings by artists such as David Bowie, Duran Duran, Debbie Harry, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart and Jody Watley. He was also an original member of the group Power Station with Robert Palmer and Johnny and Andy Taylor and leant his own unique style to their recordings and concert performances.
In 1986 he was asked by Led Zeppelin to join them in 1986 for a re-union after he had played with them and Phil Collins at Live Aid but this would be abandoned because he was involved in a car accident that prevented him performing for a while. He did, however, manage to work again and became a member of the groups Crown of Thorns and The Distance as well as re-unite with Power Station for their 1996 reunion album and tour.
Appearing on many chart hit singles he features on “Like a Virgin” by Madonna, “Dance, Dance, Dance”, “Good Times” and “Le Freak” by Chic, “Get It On” and “Some Like It Hot” by Power Station, “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down” by Diana Ross, “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie and “He’s the Greatest Dancer” and “We Are Family” by Sister Sister. Albums he performed on during the course of his career include She’s the Boss by Mick Jagger, Some People by Belouis Some, Let’s Dance by David Bowie, KooKoo by Debbie Harry, Adventures in the Land of the Good Groove by Nile Rodgers, Out of Order by Rod Stewart, Anthology by Carly Simon, Living in Fear by Power Station, We are Family and Love Somebody Today by Sister Sledge, Diana by Diana Ross, Addictions, Vol. 2, Best of Both Worlds and Riptide by Robert Palmer, Thank You by Duran Duran, C’est Chic, Take It Off, Believer and Risque by Chic, Like a Virgin by Madonna and Jody Watley.
In 2003 he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which would take his life soon after when he was just 48 years old. Two years later, in 2005, he was recognised for his contribution to music when he was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame along with the other members of Chic.
Diana Ross recordings
Give Up (Bernard Edwards/Nile Rodgers)
I’m Coming Out (Bernard Edwards/Nile Rodgers)
Belouis Some recordings
Aware of You (Belouis Some)
Some People (Belouis Some)
Sources: