Vince Ebo was a soul and pop singer. He was also a session singer and sang backup on various artists albums. He was a member of the duo, The Fit. As a solo artist, he found success on the Contemporary Christian music scene where he had three chart hits.
Background Ebo was originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. During his childhood, he and his family relocated to Sacramento.Cross Rhythms, Tuesday 1st February 1994 - Vince Ebo Death
His career involved working as a model, TV and movie appearances, working on recordings for the A&M and Warner Brothers labels, appearances on Soul Train etc. It was in the 1980s that he performed in the groups Sun Bear with Roger Smith and The Fits with Chuck Gentry. He found frequent work as a session musician, working with artists such as Ben E. King, Todd Rundgren, Michael W. Smith and Russ Taff.Cash Box, December 31, 1993 - Page 42 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, NEWS BRIEFS Vince Ebo Dead At 39
Ebo would work with producers, Trace Scarborough and Scott MacLeodChristian Music Archive - VINCE EBO, Love Is the Better Way, CreditsCash Box, June 13, 1992 - Page 27 Video Pick Of The Week ■ VINCE EBO: Make It Work (Warner Alliance) who would write "What You Do" for Margaret Bell,Hot Hits, Christian Hit Radio, 1999 by CCM Books, a division of CCM Communications - Page 27 MARGARET BELL, 2/10/92 4/13/92 9 14 What You Do and Macleod would write "By Faith" for Kim Boyce.Hot Hits, Christian Hit Radio, 1999 by CCM Books, a division of CCM Communications - Page 34 KIM BOYCE - con't, 10 By Faith
His album, Love Is the Better Way is at No. 393 in the "CCM's 500 Best Albums of All Time" list.CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time, October 16, 2010 - 393. Love Is the Better Way – Vince Ebo
His vocal style had been described as an encompassment of influences from Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson and Teddy Pendergrass.Cash Box, May 2, 1992 - Page 16 Gospel, VINCE EBO
Career 1970s In 1976, Ebo was the lead singer in the band East Wind, a group he was in while still in high school. By 1976, they were playing at the Parking Lot club in Sacramento. They were managed by Roy Arimoto. Other members were, Orland King, Brian King, Skip Martin, Dave Karacozoff and Mark Jasper. According to an article in The California Aggie, they were one of the best sounding bands in Northern California.The Press-Tribune, 20 April 1979 - Page 7 Record store to sponsor dance concert in RosevilleThe California Aggie, 27 October 1976 - Page 4 Sacto Hot Spot - The Parking Lot By MONICA CLARK According to the State Hornet newspaper, Ebo also played trumpet in the band.The State Hornet, October 29, 1976 - Page 7 Full week of activities at the Lot By A. J. Ortiz The group released the single, "Read The Fine Print" bw "Talk to Me" on Golden Groove 113-33 in 1976. The A side was composed by Lawrence Gee and the B side was composed by Gee and Ebo.45Cat - East Wind Band - Read The Fine Print
After Ebo's time with East Wind, he was with a group called Jubilee. He left Jubilee and became the lead singer of the TCA recording act, Sun Bear. He was also a member of another group called Menagerie. After that, he returned to Jubilee which had changed its name to Visions. By 1979, Ebo was the lead singer of the Sacramento-based group Visions who had built a good reputation for themselves on the Sacramento night club scene with their mix of popular, rock and soul music. Also in the group were John Davis on guitar, Mark Ishikawa on keyboards, Brian Clark on drums and Brad Garrett on bass. The group's repertoire included a couple of George Benson covers. On 5 May at 8 pm, they were appearing with Elvin Bishop's band, the West Coast Shieks at Jones Hall at the Placer County Fairgrounds. Enabling the event was Roseville record store, Dimple Records.Press-Tribune, 20 April 1979 - Page 7 Record store to sponsor dance concert in Roseville 1980s It was reported in the 28 November 1987 issue of Billboard that former guitarist and musical director for the group Shalamar had begun production on a solo album for the Belair / A&M label. The vocalist on the album was Vince Ebo and the sound engineer was Tom Root.Billboard, November 28, 1987 - Page 49 PRO AUDIO / VIDEO, AUDIO TRACK, LOS ANGELES
Ebo and instrumentalist Chuck Gentry were members of The Fit.Billboard, March 12, 1988 - Page 25 The Rhythm and the Blues by Nelson George They recorded "Just Havin' Fun" which was composed by Chuck Gentry and Lee Peters and "I Wanna Know" which was composed by Gentry and Ebo. The songs were released on A&M AM-3007 in early 1988.45Cat - The Fit - Just Havin' Fun With A&M Records said to be getting ready for an active 1988 in black music, their latest contribution with act, The Fit and its song "Just Havin' Fun" was mentioned in the 12 March 1988 issue of Billboard.Billboard, March 12, 1988 - Page 25 The Rhythm and the Blues by Nelson George The single was already had been active in the Hot Black Singles chart, having debuted at No. 79 for week of 13 February.Billboard, February 13, 1988 - Page 25 BLACK SINGLES A -Z PUBLISHERS /PERFORMANCE RIGHTS /SHEET MUSIC, 79 JUST HAVIN' FUN The song eventually peaked at No. 22 on the chart.MusicVF.com - Just Havin' Fun by The Fit, Date: 1988
Also, in 1988 Charlie Peacock, Jimmy Abegg and Ebo made up the Charlie Peacock Acoustic Trio.Hot Hits Ac Charts 1978-2001, By Jeffrey Lee Brothers · 2003 - - Page 16 JIMMY ABEGG Through their musical efforts came the West Coast Diaries tapes.Music Tap, Sep 6, 2018 - MusicTAP Interview: Mark Allender, Executive Producer for Charlie Peacock “West Coast Diaries Vol. 2” Reissue ByDw Dunphy 1990s In 1990, Ebo was performing alongside Marlynn Smith, performing in the musical Right Mind is Nowhere. Along with Marlynn Smith, he was covering genres such as pop, jazz and opera.Chico News and Review, 1 February 1990 - Page 40 Arts & Leisure, theater review, Seismic Wonderland Right Mind is Nowhere' Laxson Auditorium, CSUC
Ebo, Charlie Peacock and Jimmy Abegg wrote the song "Thin but Strong Cord" which was credited to Abegg.Hot Hits Ac Charts 1978-2001, By Jeffrey Lee Brothers · 2003 - - Page 16 JIMMY ABEGG The song featured Ebo and Peacock trading vocals with Abegg.Cross Rhythms, Saturday 1st February 1992 - Jimmy A: Taking time off from other artistic endeavours to make music, Jan Willem: How did you get your contract? The song peaked at No. 2 for the week of 16 September 1991 on the Christian Hits chart during its sixteen-week run.Hot Hits, Christian Hit Radio, Copyright © 1999 by CCM Books, a division of CCM Communications - Page 15 JIMMY ABEGG
From March to April 1992, Ebo joined Charlie Peacock on Peacocks " "Love Life" tour that lasted until April. The tour covered more than 40 cities across America.Cross Rhythms, Saturday 1st April 1995 - Charlie Peacock: The critically-acclaimed American singer, songwriter and producerReligious Broadcasting, April 1992 - Page 37 Recording artist Charlie Peacock’s spring "Love Life" tour will be stopping in more than 40 cities across America
It had been reported in the 4 April issue of Cash Box that Ebo along with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir had been signed to the Warner Alliance label.Cash Box, April 4, 1992 - Page 24 GOSPEL MUSIC, WARNER BROS. NEWS— "Make it Work" Ebo recorded "Make It Work", a song he co-wrote with Tommy Sims. It debuted the Christian chart for the week of 20 April 1992. It peaked at No. 3 during its eleven-week run.Hot Hits, Christian Hit Radio, Copyright © 1999 by CCM Books, a division of CCM Communications - Page 69 VINCE EBO, 4/20/92 6/8/92, 3 11, Make It Work The video for the song was a "Video Pick of the Week" in the 13 June issue of Cash Box.Cash Box, June 13, 1993 - Page 27 GOSPEL MUSIC, Video Pick Of The Week ■ VINCE EBO: Make It Work (Warner Alliance)
It was reported in the 2 May issue of Cash Box that Warner Alliance artist Ebo having embarked on a solo career, had released his Love is a Better Way album.Cash Box, May 2, 1992 - Page 16 Gospel, VINCE EBO Debut album Ebo's album Love is the Better Way was reviewed in the 16 May issue of Cash Box. The reviewer described Ebo as having enormous vocal talents and the album would be one of the success stories for 1992. The music on the album was mixture of smooth ballads and funk-filled urban jams. The songs picked for mention were "Love Is the Better Way", "It's Over", "Real Love" and "Love". Those songs were recommended as adds for the urban and quiet storm formats.Cash Box, May 16, 1992 - Page 24 GOSPEL MUSIC, Songs of Praise, ■ VINCE EBO: Love Is The Better Way (Warner Alliance) The album was also at No. 3 on the Cash Box Gospel Music New Releases list that week.Cash Box, May 16, 1992 - Page 24 GOSPEL MUSIC, New Releases... Further activities Ebo recorded "Forgiven", a song he co-wrote with Trace Scarborough and Scott MacLeod. The song debuted on the Christian chart for the week of 3 August 1992. Spending ten weeks on the chart, it peaked at No. 4 for the week of 14 September.Hot Hits, Christian Hit Radio, Copyright © 1999 by CCM Books, a division of CCM Communications - Page 69 VINCE EBO, 8/3/92 9/14/92, 4 19, Forgiven
It was reported in both the 23 January 1993 issues of Cash Box and Billboard that the song "Hard Hearted Act" that Ebo both wrote and performed on had been selected for the daytime soap opera Guiding Light.Cash Box, January 23, 1993 - Page 22 GOSPEL MUSIC, EBO PICKED UP BY DAYTIMEBillboard, January 23, 1993 - Page 37 Artists & Music, Gospel LECTERN by Bob Darden, CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ACTS ON THE Tube:
On 1 March 1993, Ebo was dropped from the Warner Alliance roster.Cash Box, December 31, 1993 - Page 42 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, NEWS BRIEFS Vince Ebo Dead At 39
He recorded "(I Will Not Be) Shaken", which was written by himself, Scott MacLeod and Trace Scarborough. It made it to No. 14 on 1 November 1993 during its nine-week run on the Christian chart.Hot Hits, Christian Hit Radio, Copyright © 1999 by CCM Books, a division of CCM Communications - Page 69 VINCE EBO, 11/16/92 1/11/93, 14 9, Will Not Be) Shaken
In the later part of 1993, Ebo had been active in various things. He was performing with a quartet from San Francisco called, S.F.O. and a book about his life and faith, loosely titled Love Is the Better Way which was also the title of his album. He has also been selected for the role of national spokesman for Project Impact, a program for at risk youth. His video "Make it Work" was to become the new slogan and soundtrack in an infomercial for the organization. Having completed work on 15 new songs, he was looking around for a new record deal.
On 13 December, Ebo performed for 600 graduates and family members of the Project Impact program. This was his last public appearance.Cash Box, December 31, 1993 - Page 42 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, NEWS BRIEFS Vince Ebo Dead At 39
Personal life Ebo was engaged to singer Kim Fleming.Cash Box, January 22, 1994 - Page 22 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, Nashville Memorial For Vince Ebo
Death Ebo died from what had been described as a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head at a time between December 14 and December 15, 1993.Cash Box, December 31, 1993 - Page 42 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, NEWS BRIEFS Vince Ebo Dead At 39
His memorial was held at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee on 4 January 1994. The minister was Pastor Scotty Smith. Speakers included Charlie Peacock and Jeff Willett of Star Song. Ebo's fiancée Kim Fleming sang the closing hymn. "Amazing Grace".Cash Box, January 22, 1994 - Page 22 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, Nashville Memorial For Vince Ebo References
External links Discogs - Vince Ebo AllMusic - Vince Ebo Victory Videos-180-The Zone-UndergroundZone channel, Feb 3, 2021 - Vince Ebo - Make It Work (video) ehrldawg channel, Jul 1, 2020 - Charlie Peacock (w/ Vince Ebo) - Experience - Front Row (video) Vince Ebo - Topic channel, Jan 24, 2017 - I Will Not Be Shaken (audio)