Gerald Levert
...The Definition of "ENTERTAINER"
From the moment GERALD LEVERT stepped out on stage until the moment he took his closing bow - he “ENTERTAINED”. This singer, songwriter and producer epitomized talent, showmanship and artistry. Gerald could ‘wear it out", a million times, yet keep it fresh as if it was his first time. He will long be remembered for his magnificant stage persona. He wore some of the finest attire; but to really get down, one cannot keep it cute. So Gerald would trade in that grace for the hearty grit and begin belting out a tune in that robust voice that made him famous. When he got started you could feel that passion or pain all the way down to your pinky toe. Sometimes Gerald wouldn’t even use his microphone. Instead he’d back away from it; put his head down or lean back and start slapping that thigh. Soon he would seemingly go into a zone all his own.
His fans nicknamed him "The Teddy Bear" - probably because of his big and cuddly nature. However he was also known as the "Tribute King", because there was no music special or entertainment event without Gerald Levert on the program. Actor Jamie Foxx , who once hosted a BET music event introduced Gerald by proclaiming "if this man [Gerald Levert] can't rock you than you can't be rocked". And no one will ever forget how Gerald rolled across the stage during his performance on BET's Walk of Fame tribute to Patti LaBelle. That was Gerald - far from regular - far from ordinary.
In concert, Gerald was a generous entertainer dishing out generous portions of his love. He would offer his audience "every big black piece” of himself; and even vowed to give them the shirt of his back providing they brought their asses on stage to get it. Gerald knew how to work a room- especially a room full of women.
The highlight of a Gerald Levert show was the unexpected tricks he would pull out of his bag. Yet one thing was for certain, it would be something you would never forget. Take the “School Me" dance for instance. The audience knew that a plus size lady would be selected to show everyone how low she and Gerald could go, but it was different each time. That was the thrill of seeing this segment over and over again. And while a plethora of ladies watched in awe; they secretly wished it was their turn. Yes, the slim ladies too.
On occasion Gerald would get philosophical and drop some knowledge on the audience. Then other times he would just cut up – laughing and talking about whatever was going on at the time. “Yall look like you sleep”, he once told the audience during the Tom Joyner “Sky Show”. He was also the consummate lover man, assuring the ladies that his thick love was better than any kind of quick love. He wanted them to know that money was no object. “If you were with me”, he promised, “You would never have to wear the same thing twice. I’d buy you all that fly stuff you like”. At the mere thought of this, women would rush down to the front of the stage every time. But they just wanted to touch Gerald, wipe the sweat from his face, and on occasion cop a feel. "Watch your hands girl", he would have to say. But when he really wanted to get the women hot and bothered; he would show his special techniques. With a microphone stand in hand he pretended to go “downtown. "If you go first", he would laugh. "That'll work".
There was nothing more precious than watching Gerald perform with his father Eddie Levert . "I would do anything for my father", he told a DC audience once while filling in for his injured dad as a member of The O'Jays. Their relationship was one of kind and their love transcended beyond mere "father and son". They were truly "friends". The same holds true for Gerald and his brother Sean. When Sean joined Gerald on stage, the real party started. It was amazing to see these two perform their hit "Casanova", and then fuse it into whatever was currently in heavy radio rotation. Or sometimes they would kick it old school and break out with tracks like "Fire", by the Ohio Players or "Outstanding" by the Gap Band.
