Donald Malloy (born November 28, 1955), is an American gospel musician. He first came to prominence singing with the New Jersey Mass Choir and is a featured singer on the group's own 1985 version of the song they had originally recorded with Foreigner, "I Want to Know What Love Is."[1][2] The following year, Malloy began his solo career, releasing the album, Holy Spirit.[3] However, his solo career truly took off four years later in 1990, with the release of, There Is No Limit, that was released by Atlanta International Records. Malloy released albums in 1993 with Everything Will Be Alright by A&M Records, 1994's Hold on to the Promise with Light Records, Jesus Reigns in 1999 with Savoy Records. All but two of these albums chart upon the Billboard magazine charts, exclusively on the Gospel Albums chart.

Donald Malloy
Born (1955-11-28) November 28, 1955 (age 68)
Cheraw, South Carolina
OriginNewark, New Jersey
GenresGospel, traditional black gospel, urban contemporary gospel
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, singer-songwriter
Years active1985–present
LabelsAtlanta International, Savoy, A&M, Light
Websitedonaldmalloyministries.com

Early life

edit

Malloy was born on November 28, 1955, in Cheraw, South Carolina,[4] the son of the deceased, James Robert, and Loreain Malloy, his mother.[5] Malloy was the fifth sibling born in his family, which his mother identified early on he had a musical acumen, and his mother promptly put him in the choir of Pleasant Grove AME Zion Church, where he did solos.[5] Malloy is the music minister at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church that is located in Newark, New Jersey, where Rev. Milton Biggham is the senior pastor.[5] He went to Lincoln Business School, where he graduated with a degree in Business Management.[5]

Music career

edit

Malloy first gained recognition as a member of the New Jersey Mass Choir, who were fresh off of their collaboration with the rock band Foreigner on the 1984/85 number one hit, "I Want to Know What Love Is." Later in 1985, New Jersey Mass Choir released their own version of the tune, with Malloy contributing as one of the featured vocalists on this recording; it was the title track of the group's full-length album from that same year, featuring gospel-infused recordings of other popular mainstream songs from the time.

He began his solo recording music career the following year – 1986 – with the release of his debut album, Holy Spirit. However, he did not experience substantial success until 1990, with the release of There Is No Limit with Atlanta International Records on September 18, 1990,.[6] This album was his breakthrough release on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart at No. 39.[7] His subsequent album with A&M Records in 1993, Everything Will Be Alright,[6] and it charted on the aforementioned chart at No. 27.[7] The third album, Hold on to the Promise, was released on September 13, 1994, by Light Records,[6] again this charted on the aforementioned chart at No. 36.[7] While Jesus Reigns released on November 2, 1993, by Savoy Records,[6] yet it failed to chart.[7]

Personal life

edit

Malloy is married to June, and together they have two children, Jessica and Christopher, and reside in Newark, New Jersey.[5]

Discography

edit
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[7]
US
Gos
Holy Spirit
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: Savoy
  • LP
There Is No Limit
  • Released: September 18, 1990
  • Label: Atlanta International
  • CD, digital download
39
Everything Will Be Alright
  • Released: 1993
  • Label: A&M
  • CD, digital download
27
Hold on to the Promise
  • Released: September 13, 1994
  • Label: Light
  • CD, digital download
36
Jesus Reigns
  • Released: November 2, 1999
  • Label: Savoy
  • CD, digital download

References

edit
  1. ^ New Jersey Mass Choir – I Want To Know What Love Is LP @Discogs.com Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  2. ^ "I Want To Know What Love Is" (1985) New Jersey Mass Choir @YouTube.com Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  3. ^ Donald Malloy – Holy Spirit @Discogs.com Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  4. ^ Carpenter, Bil (2005). "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia": 262. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e "About". Donald Malloy. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d AllMusic. "Donald Malloy : Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e Billboard. "Donald Malloy : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
edit