Charlie Singleton

For the American songwriter, please use Charles Singleton For the American saxophonist, please use Charlie Singleton (2) US Guitarist, singer, composer and producer born on July 15, 1954 who is best known for recording and touring with the group Cameo. After some years of recording and performing with artists such as drummer Billy Cobham, saxophonist Cannonball Adderly, and as featured artist with the band Stargasm, the New Orleans native joined Cameo in 1981 and made his debut for the group on their album "Knights Of The Sound Table" as a lead and background vocalist. He then began to play a more pivotal role musically on their 1982 album "Alligator Woman," singing more leads, getting more involved with writing, and playing a fair share of the instruments. After "Alligator Woman," the band underwent major changes at this point. First, their departure from the Chocolate City label, second, Cameo-keyboardist Gregory Johnson leaving the group, third, upstarting their own label Atlanta Artists, and finally, making a transition from a hard-core "George Clinton"-style funk band to a more synth-driven urban-style funk band as demonstrated in their 1983 album "Style," and their 1984 album, "She's Strange." By 1985, Singleton had assembled his own band, Modern Man, but continued to perform and record with Cameo on a regular basis. His first solo project entitled, "Modern Man," was released on Arista Records featuring "Make Your Move On Me, Baby." In 1986 he enjoyed much success with Cameo's album "Word Up." Singleton subsequently switched over to Epic for two more solo albums, 1987's "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" and 1989's "Man On A Mission," both featuring appearances by his fellow Cameo band members Larry Blackmon and Tomi Jenkins. In the years that followed, Singleton made his living as a session/touring musician for a variety of artists, from pop and rock to urban R&B to jazz to gospel; though he still continues to put in work with Cameo. He also branched out into production work, mostly for other urban and dance artists. These days Charlie Singleton profiles himself in the music business as "The Phantom."