Chris Bender

Christopher Lamont Bender, known as Chris Bender, (August 2, 1972 – November 3, 1991) was an American R&B singer who reached the national music charts in 1991 with the album entitled Draped before his murder.

Career

He was from the Boston, Massachusetts area, growing up in Brockton, Massachusetts, and later living in Waltham. At the age of 16, Bender recorded his first album, Chris Bender, for Epic Records. The first single, "Baby Girl", was released in 1989, but limited copies of the album were released. Bender's manager, Terryl L. Calloway, later stated about Baby Girl: " The video was never [released]. " Bender nevertheless went on to secure a $500,000 contract with EastWest Records. He signed a seven-album contract, although only one album on that contract was released before his death. The album Draped hit No. 92 on the Billboard magazine R&B album chart. His two charted singles, "I Knew" and "That's Not The Way", broke into the top 70 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. Other songs he was known for included "Who Will I Choose" and "Kiss and Make Up".

Death

On November 3, 1991, at 2:17 A.M., Bender was shot and killed in Brockton while sitting in his black Mercedes-Benz outside of the Crescent Court housing project where his mother lived. Eroy Kindell was convicted of second-degree murder and was recently released from prison. His accomplice, Stephen "Sticks" Fernandes, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.