Howard Hewett

Howard Hewett Jr. (born 1 October 1955; Akron, Ohio) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter, and producer who rose to international prominence as the definitive lead vocalist of the soul and post-disco group Shalamar.

Renowned for his remarkably smooth, agile tenor voice and romantic delivery, he became an architect of the urban contemporary sound. After guiding his group through a string of era-defining hits, he embarked on a successful solo career in the mid-1980s, securing his place as a mainstay of contemporary rhythm and blues music. Over a career spanning more than four decades, his technical precision and captivating stage presence have allowed him to maintain a highly enduring legacy across the global music landscape.

Early Life

Raised in Akron, Ohio, Hewett began his musical foundations at the age of ten, performing alongside his sisters as the lead singer of a family gospel group called the Hewett Singers on the regional gospel circuit. This early experience, fostered under the guidance of his mother, who worked as a local gospel promoter, exposed him to legendary figures such as James Cleveland and Albertina Walker, instilling a deep understanding of emotional audience connection.

Seeking broader professional opportunities, he moved to Los Angeles in 1976, where he first encountered dancers Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley at a nightclub in the LA Crenshaw district. Shortly thereafter, Hewett formed a dedicated show group called "Beverly Hills" and toured throughout Europe, the UK, Scandinavia, and Asia for all of 1977 until the middle of 1978. Upon returning from overseas, he initially began recording material for producer Jeffrey Bowen before a pivotal career shift altered his trajectory.

Career

In 1978, Hewett received a call from Jeffrey Daniel, who was in urgent need of a new lead singer to join Shalamar. Hewett accepted the offer and flew to New Jersey within three days, where he met up with Watley and Daniel and started recording the Big Fun LP with their producer, Leon Sylvers.

Serving as the group's lead vocalist from 1979 until 1985, Hewett powered a legendary run of classic tracks including "Second Time Around", "Make That Move", "A Night to Remember", "Dancing in the Sheets", and the celebrated ballad "This Is for the Lover in You". During this era, Hewett and his group Shalamar also contributed material to the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, which won a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media in 1986.

He left the group in 1985 to launch his solo career, navigating a brief legal hurdle when he was arrested and indicted in Miami alongside his fiancée Mori Molina for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. While Molina was convicted and served prison time, Hewett was fully acquitted of all charges following a four-day trial in which Molina testified that he had nothing to do with the crime.

Moving forward, he signed a solo contract with Elektra Records and, in 1986, before the Miami trial, released his first solo album I Commit to Love, a solid urban album that climbed to number 12 on the R&B charts and yielded the Top 10 R&B hits "I'm for Real" and "Stay". In 1988, he solidified his solo stardom by releasing his second studio project, Forever and Ever, which featured the popular hit track "Strange Relationship".

Personal Life

Hewett's personal life has frequently run parallel to his prominent career in public entertainment. Following his legal clearance, he married Mori Molina in 1986, and later entered a highly visible marriage with actress and singer Nia Peeples in 1989, who memorably appeared in the music video for his hit single "Show Me".

He has been married four times and is a proud father to his children, including his son Christopher Eugene Howard Hewett and daughters from his various unions, alongside being a doting grandfather. He also shared a profound connection with his father, who passed away at the young age of 59 just one year after witnessing Hewett perform at a special Shalamar homecoming concert in Ohio.

His enduring legacy as a romantic balladeer is underscored by his dedication to combining standard secular rhythm and blues with his deep-seated spiritual roots, a fusion heavily celebrated by his peers and dedicated fanbase alike.

Current Activities

At present, Howard Hewett Jr. remains active within his genre, with updates announced via official channels as confirmed. Even as a veteran artist, he maintains a rigorous international performing itinerary, executing roughly 110 to 120 live concert dates annually as a solo performer and alongside Shalamar, whom he formally rejoined in 2001.

His classic Elektra Records catalogue has experienced a modern renaissance across digital streaming platforms, exemplified by the comprehensive four-disc box set compilation I'm For Real - The Elektra Recordings 1986-1992 released by Cherry Red Records.

Furthermore, his hometown of Akron permanently honoured his contributions by dedicating Cadillac Boulevard as "Howard Hewett, Jr. Way".

Embracing a disciplined health routine to manage a pre-diabetes diagnosis and maintain his physical wellness, he continues to delight audiences globally with recent independent single releases like "A Love of My Own" and "To Thee I Pray".