Switch

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Born in the 1950s, Detriot, Michigan, Bobby and Tommy are the elder brothers of ten siblings. Having a home life that was very tumultuous at times, they sought refugee in music. In his late teens, Bobby began a life long freind ship with Greg Williams. In 1975 they, along with another friend Jody Sims, and later--Tommy DeBarge, were part of the group White Heat. Under the guidance of Barry White, White Heat had one album but eventually disbanded after it wasn't successful.

Soon after, Greg Williams, Jody Sims, and Tommy Debarge teamed up with Phillip Ingram and Eddie Fluellen to start a new band. Greg and Jody flew to Los Angeles and had a chance meeting with Jermaine Jackson. They handed their demo tape over to Jermaine along with their contact information and in May of 1977 they were signed to Motown. With Bobby Debarge eventually joining them again, they decided on the name Switch, due to their ability to 'switch' different instruments and vocal leads during a song.

Listen to ::::There'll Never Be::::

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The six-peice band from Michigan and Ohio originally consisted of:
Greg Williams: Lead vocalist, keyboards, trumpet and background vocals
Bobby Debarge: Lead vocalist, keyboards, drums
Phillip Ingram: Lead vocalist, percussion, keyboards
Tommy Debagre: Bass, vocals, keyboards
Eddie Fluellen: Trombone, keyboards, vocals
Jody Sims: Drums, vocals

Under Jermaine Jackson's guidance, Switch went on to release hit songs such as "There'll Never Be," "I Call Your Name," "I Want to be Closer," "Love Over and Over Again," and "My Friend in the Sky".


Listen to ::::Friend in the Sky::::

In 1981 Bobby left the group Switch and Tommy eventually followed suit. Bobby went on to persue a career with his other brothers James, Marty, and Randy in the group Debarge(sans Bunny and El). Together they created one album "Bad Boys" in 1987, along with appearing in an episode of the show Punky Brewster with their brother Chico. In 1988 Bobby and his brother Chico were arrested for intention to distribute drugs in their home town of Grand Rapids Michigan. After serving five years in a federal penetentiary, Bobby went on to create a solo project called "It's Not Over". This was Bobby's final creative work as he passed away in August of 1995 from AIDS related complications, leaving behind a wife and two sons. Today, Tommy Debarge is residing in California, and still considers himself "one of the baddest bass players around". He is currently working on his biography, 'There'll Never Be: A Story of Forgiveness'.

« Visit Switch Entertainment, (Switch's official site),for more information and full bio's on the group members
« Purchase 'The Best of Switch' CD at Amazon.com