Alexander O' Neal Essentials

Mississippi native Alexander O'Neal began performing in the Minneapolis scene in the early-'70s, impressing local R&B lovers with his infamous voice. He was signed by Prince to Warner Brothers in 1981 and briefly joined the band The Time. O'Neal then toiled in the background, singing backup for artists like Cherrelle before finally releasing his self-titled debut in 1985, beginning what would prove to be a non-stop solo career. Critics would later compare O'Neal's gorgeous vocal sound and innate sense of rhythm to greats like Otis Redding.