Michael Wycoff

Michael Wycoff (January 1, 1956 – March 13, 2019)[1] was an American R&B singer. He scored several hits on the US R&B chart during the 1980s.[3]

Michael Wycoff
Birth nameMichael Wycoff
Born(1956-01-01)January 1, 1956[1]
Torrance, California
OriginLos Angeles, California
DiedMarch 13, 2019(2019-03-13) (aged 63)[2][1]
GenresSoul
Funk
R&B
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1976–2019
LabelsRCA Records

Biography

Wycoff attended Wilmington Junior High School and Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, Los Angeles, California.[4] Wycoff played keyboards and sang in the school's talent shows.[1]

Wycoff sang backup on Stevie Wonder's album Songs in the Key of Life.[3] He signed a solo contract with RCA and released three albums between 1981 and 1983, scoring a few hit singles on the U.S. R&B charts. His second album, Love Conquers All, included the song, "Looking Up to You," that was sampled by the 1990s R&B group Zhané on their hit song, "Hey Mr. D.J." in 1993.[4] Although both of his first two albums were acclaimed by music critics, sales remained low.[3]

Wycoff succumbed to an addiction to drugs and alcohol.[1][4] His addiction ultimately caused him the loss of his career, his home and his family, and Wycoff ended up homeless.[1] At the bottom, he found his way back through his faith,[1] beating his habit and ultimately becoming Minister of Music at several Los Angeles area churches.[1][4]

His oldest son is a DJ, who, in May 2013, released his own album titled A Boy and His Toys under the name DJ Michael Wycoff.[5]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Label US R&B
1980 Come to My World RCA Records
1982 Love Conquers All 54
1983 On the Line 54

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
US Dance
[6]
US R&B
[6]
UK
[7]
1980 "Feel My Love" 43
"One Alone" 52
1982 "Looking Up to You" 47
"Still Got the Magic (Sweet Delight)" 37 64
"Diamond Real"
1983 "Tell Me Love" 22 23 60
"There's No Easy Way" 83
"You Are Everything"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

  1. "Michael Wycoff Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  2. "Michael Wycoff Dies..." Soul and Jazz and Funk. March 15, 2019. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  3. Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 311. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  4. Kellman, Andy. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  5. "A Boy and His Toys". iTunes. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  6. "Michael Wycoff Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  7. "MICHAEL WYCOFF - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
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