Curtis Hairston

Curtis Kinnard Hairston^[1] (10 October 1961 – 18 January 1996)^[2] was an American soul/funk vocalist, who had a number of Top 75 hit singles in the UK and US, both as a solo artist and as a featured artist in the B. B. & Q. Band. Hairston's signature hit came in 1985, when he reached #13 in the UK Singles Chart with "I Want Your Lovin' (Just a Little Bit)".^[2]

A longtime sufferer of diabetes, Hairston died of related kidney failure at age 34 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in January 1996.^[1][3] He had attended both Winston-Salem State University and the Juilliard School of Music.

Career Overview

Curtis Hairston started his career upon signing to Pretty Pearl Records. This small record label was founded by basketball player, Earl Monroe who had attended the same school as Hairston. The two met up in 1980, and after Earl hearing a vocal tape recording of Hairston singing, he signed him up to his new label. However, Curtis did not start recording music until a few years later.^[1]

His first single "I Want You (All Tonight)" turned out to be a triumph hit in the UK, peaking at #44. It was released along with the song "Summertime" in 1983. Curtis returned in 1985 with his first major hit single "I Want Your Lovin' (Just a Little Bit)" which rose up the UK Charts, peaking at #13. It was so successful that he had an appearance on British music show Top of The Pops. This is also the only song he made a music video for.^[1]

Later in the year of 1985, Curtis was offered a place in the Funk and Soul group, B. B. & Q. Band as their new lead vocalist. He accepted the proposal and assisted with the production of their forth studio album. The new album was called Genie, which debuted in late 1985. The song "Genie" made it to #40 in the UK. A year later the group released the single "Dreamer" which peaked at #35 in the UK.^[4]

In 1986, he left Pretty Pearl and signed on to the much more mainstream label, Atlantic Records. The same year he released first and only studio album, entitled with his name. One of the tracks "Chillin Out" got to #57 in the UK. Additionally, singer Luther Vandross provided backing vocals on some of the songs included with his debut album. Curtis released his last solo single "The Morning After" in 1987.^[1] He unfortunately died in 1996 of Diabetes. In remembrance of him, Reverse Spin Music released a compilation album entitled "Celebrating Curtis Hairston" in 2012.^[5]

Discography

Albums:

• Curtis Hairston (1986)

Compilations:

• Celebrating Curtis Hairston (2012)

Singles:

^[6][7]

References