| Author | Message | ||
  the crazy dutchman (andreas) 1-Arriviste Username: andreas Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
Ernesto McKenzie Phillips, 50, a Columbia resident who was a musician in pop rhythm-and-blues groups and then produced a series of local entertainers, including singers Toni Braxton and Kimberly Scott, died March 25 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after a stroke. He had hypertension. Mr. Phillips, a native Washingtonian, was raised in Crownsville and graduated from Arundel High School in Gambrills. He was a self-taught guitarist, and during high school he attended the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore to study trumpet. He was a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College and attended Howard University, where he intended to study medicine as his father -- a psychiatrist -- had. He decided instead to make music his career. With his four brothers -- George, Lloyd, Orlando and Gregory -- Mr. Phillips formed Licyndiana, an R&B group named after his mother and his sisters. Ernesto Phillips sang and played guitar. He also wrote songs and did production work. Singer Renee Diggs, who was Mr. Phillips's longtime companion, and musician-songwriter Kayode "Ky" Adeyemo later joined Licyndiana. Mr. Phillips had greater success as leader, co-producer and primary songwriter of a successor pop R&B band called Starpoint, which included the same members except for Lloyd. The band toured nationally, opening for such performers as Luther Vandross, and appeared on "Soul Train," "Solid Gold" and other television programs. Its album "Restless" (1986) sold more than 500,000 copies, according to news reports, and included the hit song "Object of My Desire." At the 1990 Washington Area Music Awards, Starpoint was named best R&B/urban group. Mr. Phillips, on guitar, was named best instrumentalist. The group disbanded about 1990 as members went in different directions professionally. Until his death, Mr. Phillips worked as a producer. He owned and operated Longevity Records and Pearl Studios, both in Columbia. "I pledged that once we made it, I was going to prove there is a lot of talent in this area," he told The Washington Post in 1995. His best-known find is Braxton, the Grammy Award-winning singer whom he met through a friend. In recent months, he worked as a counselor for teenagers at Sheppard Pratt psychiatric clinic in Ellicott City. Survivors include his mother, Ana Phillips, of Columbia; four brothers, George Phillips and Lloyd Phillips, both of Columbia, and Orlando Phillips and Gregory Phillips, both of Annapolis; and two sisters, Diane Laguerre of Elk Ridge, Md., and Lisa Phillips of Columbia. R.I.P. Andreas Hellingh www.thesoulofamsterdam.com  | ||
ralph (ralph) Moderator Username: ralph Post Number: 60 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
Amndreas, thanks for the nice piece on Ernesto. He had quite a career. | ||
Don (don) 3-Pundit Username: don Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.185.70 |
My condolences to The Phillips and The Hellingh Families. | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 2-Debutant Username: kevgo Post Number: 29 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.115.136.66 |
This is sad news indeed. I played Starpoint's "Object Of My Desire" on the radio almost a full year before it broke through as a pop hit in 1986. Rest in peace, Ernesto. Kevin Goins - KevGo | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 4-Laureate Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 134 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
This is sad news for me. I first heard of them in 1980 when they came out with one of my favorites of 1980: I just Wanna Dance With You on the Casablanca label. The other song that I truly played to death off of that debut LP was Don't Leave Me. I loved the interplay between Ernesto & Ms Diggs who is one of the most underrated singers ever. Man, I could go on about their funky songs: I Just Want To Be Your Lover, Keep On It, I Want You Closer, Wanting You, Last Night, Shake It Out, Bring Your Sweet Lovin' Back, It's So Delicious, It's All Yours, Satisfy Me Lover, Object Of My Desire, Restless, What You Been Missin', See The Light, Emotions, He Wants My Body, Fresh Start & One Step Closer To Your Love. Then there were those ballads. I was always partial to their ballads, God did I love Ms Diggs & that sexy voice! Some of my favorite ballads by them are: For You, Try Me, Angel, All Night Long, It's You, Give Real Love A Try, Something In Your Eyes, Am I Still The One, This Is So Right, Always On My Mind, Till The End Of Time, Prove It Tonight, The More We Love, After All Is Said & Done, Step By Step, Midnight Love & Break Up To Make Up. From 1980 to 1990, I own 10 of their LPs & most are excellent. Starpoint was a truly underrated group & Mr Phillips will definitely be missed. He helped make a lot of my parties, some public & some private to be memorable affairs! Thanks E for the music! RIP Juice | ||
Dave Alan (mediawatch) 1-Arriviste Username: mediawatch Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.136.234.132 |
Ernesto and Renee were neighbors of mine in Columbia so this has blown me away to here this sad news. R.I.P. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 4-Laureate Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 145 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Is it possible to get Ms Diggs here, so that she can get a little love from us here in SD??? Peace! Juice | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 182 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.224.119.131 |
This is sad indeed...RIP |
