Gil Saunders

Gil Saunders (1952 – February 4, 2021)^[1]^[2] was an American soul singer who came to fame as lead singer with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

Biography

Saunders was born in

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
^ Gilbert W. Saunders
^ "Heartfelt Showbiz Info". Heartfeltshowbiz.com.
^ Album information at Billboard magazine
^ "R&B Showcase magazine interview with Saunders, fall 2005". Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2009-01-23.

External links

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes at Legacy Recordings
Gil Saunders at
AllMusic
Gil Saunders discography at Discogs
Harold Melvin & Blue Notes at Soul Tracks

[1] Fisher Jack, "Gil Saunders: Former Lead Singer of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Has Died", February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021

[2] Gilbert W. Saunders

[3] "Heartfelt Showbiz Info". Heartfeltshowbiz.com.

[4] Album information at Billboard magazine

[5] "R&B Showcase magazine interview with Saunders, fall 2005". Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2009-01-23.

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