Al Jarreau Has Died

I remember someone once saying about Al Jarreau, "You could fit an entire orchestra in his throat."  

Al died today in Los Angeles, two weeks after being hospitalized for exhaustion two weeks ago.  Following advice of his doctors, he canceled his tour dates and retired from touring.  Jarreau was hospitalized for the same reason on 2010.

Al did not start his professional career until he was 30.  He earned a master's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa and worked in clubs around San Francisco with George Duke.  Jarreau scored a #6 Adult hit with "We're In This Love Together".

His follow-up was largely ignored, and that's a shame, for it is one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

If you were a fan of Adult Contemporary music in 1983, you'll remember that this great song was a #2 smash for three weeks.  If you weren't an adult back then, discover this song right now.

Jarreau enjoyed a #1 AC smash with this song in 1987, "Moonlighting", the theme to the television show which starred Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd.

Jarreau was 76.