Keith Barrow Biography

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Singer Keith Barrow's signature tune is the smooth-as-silk Top 30 R&B ballad/ steppers favorite, "You Know You Wanna Be Loved." Another Barrow track, "Turn It Up" is a favorite among dancefloor aficionados. The Chicago native's mother is Rev. Willie Barrow of Rev. Jesse Jackson's Push Organization. In his teens, Barrow headed a gospel group called the Soul Shakers. Produced by MFSB guitarist/songwriter Bobby Eli, his Columbia LP, Keith Barrow, was issued in summer 1977. One track "Mr. Magic Man" got some attention.

Produced by Michael Stokes, "You Know You Wanna Be Loved" went to #26 R&B on Billboard's chart in summer 1978. The Physical Attraction LP yielded two other disco hits, "Physical Attraction" and "Turn It Up," and is replete with sensuous slow jams, "Overnight Success," "Step Into My Garden" and "Free To Me." Another single, "Turn Me Up" b/w "Physical Attraction" (the UK single's B-side was the jubilant "Joyful Music") was a huge disco hit charting #79 R&B in early 1979. His song, "Teach Me (It's Something About Love)" -- a charting single for Blue Magic -- can be found on Rhino's Blue Magic's Soulful Spell: The Best of Blue Magic. Switching to Capitol, Barrow recorded the 1980 album, Just As I Am.

At the age of 29, Keith Barrow died of complications from AIDS on October 22,1983. "Turn Me Up, Pt. 1" is on Dancin' 'n' Disco, issued by Sony Special Products on April 16,1995. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide