Gerald Alston

{{short description|American singer}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Gerald Alston | image = Gerald Alston on stage @Gardners Basin.jpg | caption = Gerald Alston in Atlantic City June 22, 2019 Photo by Julius "Juice" Freeman | image_size = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|11|8|mf=y}} | birth_place = | origin = [[Henderson, North Carolina]], U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] * [[Soul music|soul]] }} | instrument = [[Vocal]]s | years_active = 1970–present | label = [[Motown Records]], [[RCA Records|RCA]] | current_member_of = [[The Manhattans]] | website = {{URL|www.geraldalstonmusic.com}} }} {{Listen|filename=Gerald Alston - Activated.ogg|title="Activated" (1989)|description=Sample of the hit single}}

'''Gerald Alston''' (born November 8, 1951) is an American soul/R&B singer,<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerald Alston Bio Allmusic |website=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerald-alston-mn0000945378/biography |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> and the lead singer of [[the Manhattans]]. Between late 1970 and 1988, the group had 25 top 40 R&B and 12 Hot 100 hit singles.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Manhattans Billboard Hot 100 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-manhattans/chart-history/hsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Manhattans Billboard R&B SIngle Chart |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-manhattans/chart-history/bsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> Alston was lead singer on their most successful 1976 platinum<ref>{{cite web |title=Kiss and Say Goodbye RIAA Platinum | website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=The+Manhattans&ti=#search_section |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> song "[[Kiss and Say Goodbye]]", which topped the U.S. Pop and R&B charts and was number one in four countries. Alston left the group in 1988 to pursue a solo career and recorded five albums and ten singles, including the hit singles "Take Me Where You Want To", "Slow Motion" and "Getting Back into Love". He also recorded a remake of [[Atlantic Starr]]'s "Send for Me", most of which was for [[Motown Records]].

==Career== ===Early life=== Alston was born on November 8, 1951, in Henderson, North Carolina to the Rev. J.B. Alston and Geraldine Harrelson. Alston is the nephew of Gospel singer Johnny Fields of [[The Blind Boys of Alabama]]. He grew up in the church where he learned his craft. Alston was just a teenager he formed a group called, the New Imperials who sang both secular and Gospel music. When the group would perform in churches they would change their name to the Gospel Jubilee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerald Alston Bio Allmusic |website=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerald-alston-mn0000945378/biography |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

===The Manhattans=== [[File:The Manhattans.png|thumb|Gerald Alston (second from left) as part of [[The Manhattans]] in 1972.]] In 1970, The Manhattans members were, George "Smitty" Smith, Edward "Sonny" Bivins Jr., Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Kenny "Wally" Kelly, and Richard "Ricky" Taylor.

Alston joined the Manhattans in 1970, shortly after the death of their former lead singer George Smith.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Manhattans Bio Allmusic |website=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-manhattans-mn0000051736/biography |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> As lead singer, Alston helped the group achieve their first Pop and R&B top ten singles that reached Gold and Platinum status<ref>{{cite web |title=The Manhattans RIAA Gold & Platinum | website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=The+Manhattans&ti=#search_section}}</ref> for songs like "[[Kiss and Say Goodbye]]", "There's No Me Without You" and their [[Grammy]] Winning song, "[[Shining Star (The Manhattans song)|Shining Star]]".

Alston with The Manhattans continued on through the 80's scoring a few more top 40 R&B hits, "Girl of My Dream" No. 30, "I'll Never Find Another (Find Another Like You)" No. 12, "Just One Moment Away" No. 19, "Honey, Honey" No. 25, "Crazy" No. 4, "You Send Me" No. 20 and some others.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Manhattans R&B Chart |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-manhattans/chart-history/bsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

In 1986, R&B singer Regina Belle recorded a duet with Alston, entitled "Where Did We Go Wrong?", on The Manhattans album "Back to Basics". The single peaked at No. 46 on the R&B chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Manhattans R&B Chart |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-manhattans/chart-history/bsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

Alston left the Manhattans in 1988 to pursue a solo career.

===Solo career=== After leaving the Manhattans, Alston released his debut solo album entitled, "Gerald Alston" in 1988 which spent 33 weeks on the Soul/R&B ''Billboard'' albums chart and peaking at No. 18<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gerald Alston Billboard R&B Album chart |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gerald-alston/chart-history/blp/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> on March 4, 1989. The first single, "Take Me Where You Want To" became a top 10 R&B hit spending 18 weeks on the chart and peaking at No. 6. It was also the 94th best-performing single of 1988 on the [[Tokio Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.j-wave.co.jp/original/tokiohot100/chart_19/1988.htm|title=1988年のチャート|language=ja|publisher=[[J-Wave]]|access-date=January 28, 2026}}</ref> Two more singles were released from that album, "I Can't Tell You Why" No. 52 and "You Laid Your Love on Me" No. 41.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gerald Alston Billboard R&B Chart Singles |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gerald-alston/chart-history/bsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

On March 18, 1989, Alston appeared on season 18 episode 18 of the television series, [[Soul Train]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerald Alston 1989 Soul Train |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/midnight-star-gerald-alston-kiara-and-shanice-wilson-115605/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> performing his hit single "Take Me Where You Want To" and "You Laid Your Love On Me.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alston Soul Train |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/midnight-star-gerald-alston-kiara-and-shanice-wilson-115605/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> He also performed on March 9, 1991 season 20 episode 21.

In 1990, Alston released his most successful solo album entitled, "Open Invitation" peaking at No. 14<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gerald Alston Billboard R&B Album chart |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gerald-alston/chart-history/blp/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> on the Soul/R&B Billboard Album Chart after spending 33 weeks on the chart. The album produced his highest charting solo single, "Slow Motion" a top 10 Soul/R&B hit, that spent 21 weeks on the chart peaking at No. 3. Another top 10 single, "Getting Back into Love" peaked at No. 6 after spending 15 weeks on the chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gerald Alston Billboard R&B Chart Singles |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gerald-alston/chart-history/bsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

Between 1992 and 1995, Alston released 3 more albums and 5 more singles, with two peaking at No. 40 on the R&B chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gerald Alston Billboard R&B Chart Singles |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gerald-alston/chart-history/bsi/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

===The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett=== In December 1990, Blue Lovett left The Manhattans due to health issues, followed by Kenny Kelly who left and returned to college to pursue his PhD. Bivins replaced the members and continued performing with his unit until he became ill in 2013. Bivins died on December 3, 2014, at age 78.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sonny Bivins death NJ News .com |date=December 17, 2014 |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2014/12/jersey_city_loses_two_of_its_musical_icons.html |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

By 1995, as Alston's solo career was winding down, he and original member Blue Lovett teamed up to form, The Manhattans Featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett. New members David Tyson, the brother of [[Ron Tyson]] of [[The Temptations]] and Troy Mays were added to this unit.

===Recent years=== On February 5, 2014, Alston and Lovett were featured artists on the television series, [[Unsung (TV series)|Unsung]] the story of The Manhattans on TV One.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Manhattans Unsung TV One |date=January 23, 2014 |url=https://tvone.tv/8259/the-manhattans/ |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

Alston continued to perform with his unit, The Manhattans Featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett until Lovett's death on December 9, 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Lovett Death NJ News .Com |date=December 17, 2014 |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2014/12/jersey_city_loses_two_of_its_musical_icons.html |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref> at age 78. Alston's cousin Dwight Fields replaced Lovett in the line-up until his death on August 26, 2016.

By 2015, Alston was the only surviving member of The Manhattans heyday lineup and tours under the name '''The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston'''.

Alston along with Tyson and Mays performed on the Soul Train Cruises in 2013, 2018 and 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manhattans Soul Train Cruise |date=June 3, 2019 |url=https://soultraincruise.com/news/we-just-cant-get-enough-of-the-manhattans |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

As of 2020, Alston continues to tour the states and overseas as a solo artist and as The Manhattans Featuring Gerald Alston with Tyson and Mays.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerald Alston Soul Tracks |date=July 18, 2007 |url=https://www.soultracks.com/gerald_alston |accessdate=16 July 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life== Alston resides in New Jersey with his wife Edna and son.

Alston is the nephew of [[Shirley Alston Reeves]], former lead singer of [[the Shirelles]].

==Discography== {{For|the discography of The Manhattans|The Manhattans#Discography}}

===Albums=== '''Solo albums''' {|class="wikitable" !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Album !colspan="3"|Peaks |- !width=40|[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]] <ref name="Awards">{{cite web |title=Gerald Alston - Awards |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerald-alston-mn0000945378/awards |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=17 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203033741/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerald-alston-mn0000945378/awards |archive-date=December 3, 2012}}</ref> |- |1988 |''Gerald Alston'' |align="center"|18 |- |1990 |''Open Invitation'' |align="center"|14 |- |1992 |''Always in the Mood'' |align="center"|62 |- |1994 |''First Class Only'' |align="center"|93 |- |2021 |The Legacy Continues Featuring Manhattans |align="center"|— |- | align="center" colspan="3"| "—" denotes the album failed to chart |- |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Song title !colspan="3"| Peaks |- !width="40"|[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]] <ref name="Awards"/> !width="40"|[[Single Top 100|NLD]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Gerald+Alston|title=Discografie Gerald Alston|language=nl|publisher=[[Single Top 100]]|access-date=January 28, 2026}}</ref> !width="40"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25368/gerald-alston/|title=Gerald Alston songs and albums|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=January 28, 2026}}</ref> |- | 1988 | "Take Me Where You Want To" |align="center"| 6 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- |rowspan="3"| 1989 | "I Can't Tell You Why" |align="center"| 52 |align="center"| 83 |align="center"| – |- | "Activated" |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |align="center"| 73 |- | "You Laid Your Love on Me" |align="center"| 41 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- | 1990 | "Slow Motion" |align="center"| 3 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- |rowspan="2"| 1991 | "Getting Back into Love" |align="center"| 6 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- | "Tell Me This Night Won't End" |align="center"| 69 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- | 1992 | "Hell of a Situation (Backroom Conversation)" |align="center"| 40 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- | 1993 | "Send for Me" |align="center"| 40 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- | 1994 | "Stay the Night" |align="center"| 69 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- | 1995 | "Devote All the Time" |align="center"| 81 |align="center"| – |align="center"| – |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p12192}} * [http://www.geraldalstonmusic.com/ Official website] * [http://www.soulexpress.net/deep5_2015.htm#geraldalston An interview in Soul Express in July 2015]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alston, Gerald}} [[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]] [[Category:20th-century American male singers]] [[Category:20th-century American singers]] [[Category:American male pop singers]] [[Category:American soul singers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Singers from North Carolina]] [[Category:1951 births]] [[Category:People from Henderson, North Carolina]] [[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]] [[Category:21st-century American male singers]]