Alexander O'Neal March 12, 2006

Born on November 14, 1953, in Natchez, Mississippi, Alexander O'Neal was a member of The Time when the group first formed in 1980. However, he was dropped immediately from the group, supposedly for seeming "too black". As his vocals range in the same strength as Otis Redding's, O'Neal sings in the retro-style of soul when it comes to doing it in both the dance-pop numbers and modern, urban ballads. He is considered to be one of the very best artists that former, fellow Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had ever produced for. He did numerous duets with singer Cherrelle, including the hit "Saturday Love". Currently, he resides in America where he's been touring and set up a permanent shop there.

The 1985 self-titled release was filled with streamlined grooves, including the funk jam "Innocent". The song was a funky Jam/Lewis groove, featuring "The Secret"- (Monte Moir, Cherrelle, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis). The song lasts for nearly 10 minutes, which consists of some exceptional guitar and keyboard solos, which also features the funk intermission of "Alex 9000". Alex's 1986 release, titled "Hearsay", includes the smash hit "Fake". "Fake" is arguably one of the best songs ever made to feature the "Minneapolis Funk" sound.

His 1988 album "My Gift to You" was a successful holiday release, with the track "Our First Christmas" still popular during the holidays.