Russell Oliver Stone (8 October 1946 – 21 August 2024) was a British singer.
Russell Stone | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 October 1946 Norwich, England |
| Died | 21 August 2024 (aged 77) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, psychotherapist |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1964–1995, 2010s–2024 |
| Formerly of | Brotherhood of Man, R&J Stone, James Last Orchestra |
| Spouse | Joanne Ruby Stone (died 1979) |
Career
editHe started work in show business at age 18, and was a choir boy in The Black and White Minstrel Show. He joined Brotherhood of Man for a year in 1971.[1] Stone also joined James Last Orchestra in 1971, and was a vocalist for the group until 1995.[2] With his American wife, Joanne Ruby Stone, he formed the pop duo, R&J Stone. The duo had a hit with "We Do It" in 1976.[3][4]
Russell accompanied artists including Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Adam Ant, Tony Bennett, Twisted Sister, Cliff Richard and Right Said Fred and did voice acting for commercials for companies such as McDonald's, Lloyds Bank, Midland Bank, The Halifax Building Society, Delta Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Capital Radio and BBC Radio 1.[3]
He worked with Icelandic composer Thor Baldursson in Munich, Germany. Stone had suffered from alcoholism for many years, and in the 2010s attempted a musical comeback, and released three solo albums, Love Aspects (2013), Groove Aspects (2014) and Devotional Aspects (2016).[5]
Personal life
editStone was born in Norwich on 8 October 1946.[3] He was educated at Loddon Primary School and Wymondham College.[3] He received a diploma in counselling in 1998, and taught counselling at Farnborough College from 2000 to 2005.[3]
Stone's first wife and musical partner, Joanne Ruby Williams, died of a brain tumour in 1979.[6]
Stone later worked as a psychotherapist.[3] He died on 21 August 2024, at the age of 77.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Brotherhood of Man Story". Tonyhiller.com. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "R&J Stone "We Do It" singer Russell Stone dies". Soultracks.com. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Russell Oliver Stone - About Russell". Web.archive.org. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 533. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "RUSSELL STONE DIES… – Soul and Jazz and Funk". Soulandjazzandfunk.com. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "The Dead Rock Stars Club - The 1970s". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 22 August 2024.