El DeBarge was born Eldra Patrick DeBarge on June 4, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth child to Robert and Etterlene DeBarge, he is the youngest. The relationship between his parents was rocky, and DeBarge occasionally found himself in situations where children were being abused.
He also saw his mother being abused. He learned to play the piano as a child and participated in the choir at his neighborhood church.
His family started a band after they relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they frequently played at their uncle’s Pentecostal church. His parents split up when he was 13 after a rocky marriage.
Motown employees served as mentors to the DeBarges. Additionally, they had the opportunity to collaborate with Switch, who contributed to their albums “This is My Dream” and “Reaching for Tomorrow” from 1980.
On the 1979 Switch smash, “I Call Your Name,” DeBarge was expressly used as a backup vocalist.
Where is El DeBarge now?
El DeBarge is currently on tour in one country and has three future shows. Their next tour stop will be at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, followed by the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket.
