Eddie Holman (born June 3, 1946) is an American singer, musician, minister, and recording artist, best known for his distinctively high singing voice and his 1969 hit song "Hey There Lonely Girl" (an adaptation of "Hey There Lonely Boy" by Ruby & the Romantics). His specialties range from R&B and pop to soul and gospel. He was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.[1]
In 1962, Holman began his recording career when he earned fame with his first record "What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You" with Leopard Records. In 1966, he recorded his first hit "This Can't Be True", which was followed by "Am I a Loser from the Start", "I Love You" (1969), "Don't Stop Now" (1970), and "Cathy Called" (1970). In 1969, Holman received critical acclaim for "Hey There Lonely Girl". He later performed "This Will Be a Night to Remember" (1977) and "You Make My Life Complete" (1977), both of which were positively received.
Early life
Holman was born in Norfolk, Virginia on June 3, 1946. At the age of 8, he and his mother moved to New York City.[2] There, his mother introduced him to the piano, guitar, singing, and the performing arts.[3] He regularly performed on The Children's Hour on NBC and was nicknamed "Little Eddie Holman" at the time.[2]
Career
In 1962, Holman made his first record "What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You" on Leopard Records.[2] In the Philadelphiasoul scene, he developed his trademark style. In college, he recorded his first hit record "This Can't Be True" (1966), which reached #17 on the Billboard chart.[2] Following this, he recorded other hits, such as "Am I a Loser from the Start" (1966), "I Love You" (1969), "Don't Stop Now" (1970), and "Cathy Called" (1970). In 1969, Holman received critical acclaim with his ballad "Hey There Lonely Girl" (originally "Hey There Lonely Boy", a top 30 hit by Ruby & the Romantics in 1963),[4] which peaked at #2 on the BillboardHot 100 chart. The track peaked at #4 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1974.[5] It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc from the R.I.A.A. in March 1970.[6]
British journalist Tony Cummings once wrote: "Eddie Holman's voice, an astonishing precision instrument which can leap octaves with the speed of mercury and bend notes into shapes unimagined by lesser singers, has assured its possessor a place in soul history."[7]
In 1977, Holman had a brief resurgence in popularity with his last two hit singles "This Will Be a Night to Remember" and "You Make My Life Complete".[4] He has credited such artists as Jackie Wilson and Nat King Cole as a huge influence, the former of whom Holman has said is his biggest influence. Holman said he and Wilson toured from New Haven, Connecticut and down to Tampa, Florida. Wilson had said he wanted Holman to share his dressing room. Holman explains that Wilson had mentored him and gave him helpful advice.[8]
Holman owns his own record label Agape Records[4] and music publishing company Schoochiebug Music Publishing ASCAP.[9] He continues to tour with the Eddie Holman Band.
Personal life
On October 29, 1968, Holman married his wife Sheila. They have three children and nine grandchildren.[10]
Holman once stated, "Lyrics send powerful messages that impact the listener of songs in ways that the artist will never know. No genre of music is flawless and no music culture is completely bad."[11]
