Legendary house vocalist Michael Watford has died
The US singer reached the top of the charts throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s
Legendary New Jersey house singer Michael Watford has died, his son has confirmed.
The news was announced on Facebook yesterday by his son, Solomon Watford, although no cause of death was confirmed. Michael passed away on Friday, January 26.
“We want to thank everyone including the house music community who has contacted me and my family during this difficult time,” Solomon wrote. “Lastly, I will be providing all funeral information and repast details this week.”
Michael was best known for his contributions to house music singles throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s, reaching the peaks of the charts in both the US and UK.
Born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey, Michael began singing at age five as part of the gospel group Discipline Of Truth (per RA), and would later work alongside house music collective Smack Music as garage house hit the mainstream in the US.
Michael reached number one in the US charts with his 1994 single ‘So Into You’, and hit the UK top 100 with tracks including ‘Love Change Over’ and ‘Come Together’, both released in 1995.
Throughout his career, Michael released on labels including Locked On, Atlantic, and Purple Music, and collaborated with the likes of Kerri Chandler, Roger Sanchez, and Masters At Work.
In 1994, the vocalist released an eponymous album containing 10 tracks spanning house and garage via EastWest Records and Atlantic. His final release came in 2018 as a collaboration with Stefano Sorge, ‘Hey Everybody’.
Read some tributes to the late house vocalist below.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter