Michael Wayne Watford (July 20, 1959 – January 26, 2024) was an American dance music singer, who was born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey.[1] He was best known for his gospel-influenced vocals on house records[2] throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Michael Watford | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Wayne Watford |
| Born | July 20, 1959 Suffolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | January 26, 2024 (aged 64) Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Dance, house |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
Biography
Watford was born in Suffolk, Virginia, on July 20, 1959, and was raised in Newark, New Jersey.[3] His mother was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a gospel singer, and Watford's early musical experiences came from singing in church.[3]
Watford's first single, "Holdin' On", was released in 1991.[3] Four of his singles charted on the United States Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the mid-1990s, including "So into You" which hit number one in 1994.[4] The same track peaked at No. 53 on the UK Singles Chart.[5]
Watford's career faltered after 1995, when he was dropped by his label, East West Records, amid administrative turnover.[3] He withdrew from his performing career in the years afterward, running karaoke bars in Newark before a stint working at a welfare office, though he harbored interest in returning to music.[3]
Watford died from dementia at a hospital in Newark on January 26, 2024, at the age of 64.[3][6]
Discography
Albums
- Michael Watford (1994, East West America/Atlantic)[1]
Singles
- "Holdin' On" (1991, Atlantic)
- "Luv 4-2" (1993, EastWest Records America)
- "Happy Man" (1994, EastWest)
- "Love to the World" (1994, EastWest)
- "So into You" (1994, EastWest) - UK No. 53[7]
- Love to the World"/"Michael's Prayer" (1994, EastWest)
- "Come Together" - Michael Watford & Robert Owens (1995, Hard Times) - UK No. 94
- "Love Change Over" (1995, Hard Times) - UK No. 86
- "Say Something" (1996, Free Bass)
- "Sunshine" - GTS feat. Michael Watford (1996, Artimage Vinyls)
- "Return Your Love to Me" (1996, Music Station)
- "Mighty Love" (1996, Music Station)
- "You Got It" - Deep Bros. feat. Michael Watford (1997, Azuli Records)
- "For Your Love" (1997, Free Bass)
- "I'm Coming Home" - Vice Versa feat. Michael Watford (1997, Azuli)
- "Heaven Is Calling You" (1997, Ulterior Records)
- "As" (1998, Soundmen On Wax)
- "For You" - Jamie Lewis feat. Michael Watford (1999, Purple Music)
- "Reach On Up" (with Tuff Jam) (1999, Locked On)
- "Understand Me" - I-D feat. Michael Watford(1999, Hole)
- "Watcha Gonna Do" - Jon Cutler & Michael Watford (2005, MN2S)
- "It's Over" - Jamie Lewis & Michael Watford (2006, Purple Music)
- "One More Time" - John Made vs Michael Watford (2006, Dream Beat)
See also
References
External links
- Michael Watford discography at Discogs
- Michael Watford at IMDb