The life of El DeBarge is a classic story of climbing the ladder of success, falling down and getting back up.  However, it is his distinctive voice, passionate performance and relatable lyrics that makes him a unique success story.

By ROBYN H. JIMENEZ
Special the NNPA from The Dallas Examiner

The life of El DeBarge is a classic story of climbing the ladder of success, falling down and getting back up.  However, it is his distinctive voice, passionate performance and relatable lyrics that makes him a unique success story.

Born Eldra Patrick DeBarge on June 4, 1961, he took on the nickname of El during his childhood.  He discovered his musical talents at a very young age and began singing in the choir at age 7.  He also received private vocal and keyboard lessons.

During the 1970s, a few DeBarge siblings formed a singing group, with him as the lead singer.  They named the band after the family sir name, DeBarge.   After an audition in front of Jermaine Jackson, they signed with Motown in 1980.  The group consisted of El, his brothers Mark "Marty," Randy, James, and sister Bunny.

In 1981, the group released its first album, The DeBarges.  The album saw some success, but failed to make the charts.  The second album, All This Love, credited El as the writer, producer, and lead singer.  It topped the charts with the singles All This Love and I like It.

Their next album, Love Me in a Special Way featured a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder.  By this time, they were on their way to becoming one of the leading R&B/pop bands.  During the mid-80s, DeBarge went on tour to open for Luther Vandross.  The group began topping the Billboard charts with hit singles such as Rhythm of the Night and Who's Holding Donna Now.

In 1985, the band released their Rhythm of the Night album.  The album featured the single Rhythm of the Night, accompanied by a music video and used in the film The Last Dragon that same year.  It became the No. 1 R&B hit single, made No. 3 on the Billboard Music Charts, No. 1 adult contemporary tracks, and the third most played hot dance club songs.

As El maintained his credits on the albums, Motown began to push El further into the spotlight, billing him on albums and singles as either DeBarge, featuring El DeBarge or El DeBarge with DeBarge.

"Motown saw a different work ethic in myself than they did in that of my other siblings," El explained. "So they wanted to see how it would be to launch a solo career for me, but still be in the group at the same time.  And, it didn't work out that way.  It ended up me staying solo."

By 1986, Motown decided to feature El as a solo performer.  That year, he released his first solo album, self-titled El DeBarge featuring Who's Johnny.  The song was later used in Short Circuit, a science fiction comedy film.

He released Gemini in 1989.  His sophomore single, considered a collectors album, carries more value now than when it was recorded.  The next year, he released The Secret Garden, a single he recorded with Quincy Jones, which also featured Barry White, Al B. Sure, and James Ingram.

In 1992, El left Motown and signed with Warner Brothers Records and made a slight comeback with In The Storm, featuring You Know What I Like with Chante Moore - missing the Top Ten charts by four spots.  The album also featured Patti LaBelle, Fourplay and James DeBarge.  However, the album itself was not quite as successful.  Two years later, he released Heart, Mind and Soul, in collaboration with Kenneth Edmonds, the artist known as Babyface.  The album sat at the bottom of the music charts and failed to climb.

With his music career deteriorating, El turned to drugs.  He soon found himself engulfed in an addiction to cocaine.

"The hardest part for me was having it consume all my time and all I was doing," El recalled.  "I wasn't doing music anymore.  I didn't have a relationship with my children.  That was hard for me.  I really wanted to get off of that."

By 2001, he began making headlines again. This time, beside his name was "arrested for narcotic" and his mugshot.  By 2007, he had been arrested three times on drug related charges. Snapshots of a disheveled inmate replaced the glamorous photos of the former heartthrob.

In 2008, the media reported his arrest for drug possession and a sentence of two years in prison. El took that time to get clean and think about his life and his future.  He also continued to work on getting his music career back on track.

"Music soothed me during the rough times.   And, it gave me incentive to want to get normal again," El said.

After his release last year, he was driven to fight for his second chance to be back on top.  He appeared on several talk shows to tell his story and do a solo performance.

"My drive behind my journey is that I was so lost. I didn't have any confidence. I didn't have any joy. I didn't have any peace of mind. And now that I have that, I'm so grateful for that," El stated. "I'm just grateful that I still have my voice, my fans still love me. My drive is just out of me being grateful."

El also expressed his gratefulness to his mother and siblings for sticking with him through his addiction and incarceration.

In June, he performed twice during the BET Awards.  He began touring with Mary J. Blige in October, making several individual appearances along the way - including interviews on Lopez Tonight, The View, the Tavis Smiley Show, and the Wendy Williams Show.

In November, El released his first album in 16 years in honor of his fans.  It was a passionate reflection of his life, which he describes as his story of redemption.

"I'm so happy that they've embraced me, that they've given me their hearts again.  I made the CD for them.  It's called Second Chances.  I dedicated it to the whole world," El said.

The album featuring the solo, Second Chances, is a heart-felt expression of his personal battles and his second chance at life and music.  The song hit number 41 on the music charts and was nominated for two Grammy Awards - Best R&B Song and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

"Second Chance speaks to me how grateful I am and it tells a testament of what God has done for me and how he brought me back," El explained.  "From Joyful, it speaks to me in a very special way because I am so joyful.  This is how I feel about my life and my comeback.  It's joyful.  That just really speaks to me in a special way."

In December, he performed at the Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie during his tour with Fantasia. He can also be seen in a cameo appearance in Jumping the Broom, a movie that will be released this year.  On Feb. 17, he will begin touring with Kem.  After a quick stop in Houston, he will return to the Verizon Theater this week. The tour will continue through early April.

As El continues his journey, he also hopes that his story will serve as a lesson and inspiration.
"Don't give up," El encourages others. "You're stronger than what you may think you are.  And, remember to always pray and believe God will help you.  I want the world to know that everybody deserves a second chance."