Michael Wycoff

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Michael Wycoff
Birth nameMichael Wycoff
Born(1956-01-01)January 1, 1956[1]
Torrance, California
OriginLos Angeles, California
DiedMarch 13, 2019(2019-03-13) (aged 63)[2][1]
GenresSoul
Funk
R&B
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1976–2019
LabelsRCA Records

Michael Wycoff (January 1, 1956 – March 13, 2019)[1] was an American R&B singer. He scored several hits on the US R&B chart during the 1980s.[3]

Biography[]

Wycoff attended Wilmington Junior High School and Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, Los Angeles, California.[4] Wycoff played keyboards and sang in the school's talent shows.[1]

Wycoff sang backup on Stevie Wonder's album Songs in the Key of Life.[3] He signed a solo contract with RCA and released three albums between 1981 and 1983, scoring a few hit singles on the U.S. R&B charts. His second album, Love Conquers All, included the song, "Looking Up to You," that was sampled by the 1990s R&B group Zhané on their hit song, "Hey Mr. D.J." in 1993.[4] Although both of his first two albums were acclaimed by music critics, sales remained low.[3]

Wycoff succumbed to an addiction to drugs and alcohol.[1][4] His addiction ultimately caused him the loss of his career, his home and his family, and Wycoff ended up homeless.[1] At the bottom, he found his way back through his faith,[1] beating his habit and ultimately becoming Minister of Music at several Los Angeles area churches.[1][4]

His oldest son is a DJ, who, in May 2013, released his own album titled A Boy and His Toys under the name DJ Michael Wycoff.[5]

Discography[]

Albums[]

Year Album Label US R&B
1980 Come to My World RCA Records —
1982 Love Conquers All 54
1983 On the Line 54

Singles[]

Year Single Peak chart positions
UK
[6] 		US R&B
[7]
1980 "Feel My Love" — 43
1981 "One Alone" — 52
1982 "Looking Up to You" — 47
"Still Got the Magic (Sweet Delight)" — 64
1983 "Tell Me Love" 60 23
"There's No Easy Way" — 83
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Michael Wycoff Soulwalking Page". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Michael Wycoff Dies..." Soul and Jazz and Funk. March 15, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 311. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Biography by Andy Kellman". Allmusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  5. ^ A Boy and His Toys. Itunes.apple.com, Retrieved November 5, 2013
  6. ^ "MICHAEL WYCOFF - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "Michael Wycoff Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved September 6, 2020.

External links[]

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