Gavin Christopher
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Biography
Gavin Christopher, born on May 1, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American singer known for his contributions to soul music. He began his musical journey at a young age, learning from influential figures such as Oscar Brown Jr., Donny Hathaway, and Curtis Mayfield. His early career included stints with bands like Lyfe, which featured Chaka Khan, and High Voltage, where he collaborated with future Rufus members Bobby Watson and Tony Maiden. Christopher's breakthrough came when he penned "Once You Get Started" for Rufus, which reached Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. He also wrote several other hits for Rufus, including "Dance Wit Me" and "Fool's Paradise." Christopher signed his first recording contract with Island Records and later moved to Los Angeles to work with Curtis Mayfield on the Curtom/RSO record label. He collaborated extensively with Herbie Hancock, contributing vocals and writing songs like "Stars in Your Eyes." In 1986, Christopher released his album One Step Closer, which featured his biggest single, "One Step Closer to You," reaching Number 22 on the U.S. Hot 100. He continued to produce music for various artists, including Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa, and mentored Mariah Carey early in her career. Christopher's involvement in the hip-hop scene included writing hits like "Girls Love the Way He Spins" and "We Gonna Rock America." He passed away on March 3, 2016, in Chicago due to oesophageal failure at the age of 66.
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