Mark "Marty" DeBarge is an American R&B/soul singer–songwriter, drummer, percussionist, and plays a variety of wind instruments, such as the saxophone, flugelhorn, trumpet, and flute. He is best known for his work as member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge. He is also known for writing the group's popular album track, "Stay With Me", later covered by the likes of The Notorious B.I.G., Ashanti and Mariah Carey.
Biography
Early years
Mark was born in Detroit, Michigan as the fifth of ten children to Robert Louis DeBarge, Sr. and Etterlene DeBarge. His father, Robert DeBarge, is of French descent, while his mother, Etterlene, is of African American and American Indian descent. DeBarge sang in his local church choir as a child. Later, after his family moved to Grand Rapids, he and the rest of his family began performing at Bethel Pentecostal church, where his uncle William Charles Abney, Jr. was pastor. His father Robert was reportedly physically and sexually abusive towards his children, leading to his and Etterlene’s divorce in 1974. DeBarge and his brothers and sister were inspired by soul singers such as Marvin Gaye and brother Bobby DeBarge, who was the writer, lead singer, and pianist for the group, Switch, in the late 1970s. In 1980, Motown signed DeBarge and his brothers, Randy and El and sister Bunny, as DeBarge. The group released their debut album, The DeBarges on April 6, 1981.
DeBarge
In 1982, the group's second release, All This Love, featured the group's hits "I Like It" and "All This Love", which constantly featured Mark's, vocals, and flugelhorn playing. Throughout the 1980s, DeBarge rose to international fame with singles such as "Love Me in a Special Way", "Time Will Reveal", "Rhythm of the Night" and "Who's Holding Donna Now". Mark remained in the group when brother El and sister Bunny left the group in 1986 and the following year, DeBarge released the album, Bad Boys on the Striped Horse label. DeBarge formally split up in 1989 after the convictions of brothers Bobby and Chico. Mark, James, Randy, El, their mother Etterlene, Bunny and youngest twin siblings Darryl and Carol got together as "The DeBarge Family" in 1991 and released the gospel album Back on Track.
Later years
Mark is the father of six children. A girl, four boys, and another child: Lakeysha, Mark Jr., Devyn, Piper, Michael, and Giovanni Debarge. Mark DeBarge lives in California according to mother Etterlene in an article about his family in Jet.
