Jeffrey Osborne began his professional singing career in 1969 with a popular
funk and
soul group called
Love Men Ltd. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1970 and changed its name to
L.T.D. Osborne was originally brought on as the drummer and eventually became the lead vocalist. After more than ten years with the band, he decided to pursue a solo career, which produced such Top 40 hits as "Don't You Get So Mad," "Stay With Me Tonight," and "Love Power," which he performed with
Dionne Warwick.
Born in Providence, RI,
Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up.
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He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with
Lionel Hampton,
Count Basie, and
Duke Ellington, and died when
Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But
Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that
Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with
L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with
the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band
Love Men Ltd. in 1969.
Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including
Stay With Me Tonight and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer
James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982.
Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work. ~ Kim Summers, All Music Guide