Bernard Fowler

One of the busiest vocalists in pop music with arguably the most diverse résumé ever, Bernard Fowler has been hired by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Bootsy Collins, left-field producer Adrian Sherwood, and minimalist composer Philip Glass. Born and raised in New York City, Fowler first appeared on record in 1974 with the band Total Eclipse. In 1982 he appeared on two dance club hits, "Don't Make Me Wait" with the Peech Boys and "I'm the One" by the Bill Laswell project Material. A year later he was on Herbie Hancock's successful Future Shock album while 1985 found him landing on Public Image Ltd.'s Compact Disc, the Sly & Robbie album Language Barrier, and Mick Jagger's solo album She's the Boss. He delivered a Paul Simon song specially written for Philip Glass' album Songs from Liquid Days in 1986, sang backup on James Blood Ulmer's America: Do You Remember the Love? in 1987, and joined Bootsy Collins for his 1988 effort What's Bootsy Doin'? In 1989 he fronted the Adrian Sherwood-associated band Tackhead and joined the Rolling Stones for their Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle world tour. The '90s were filled with more Tackhead albums, more work and tours with the Stones, a featured role in Stones drummer Charlie Watts' jazz band, and guest shots on albums by Herb Alpert, Little Axe, Todd Terry, and INXS singer Michael Hutchence's solo debut. In 2006 he finally got around to making his own solo record, Friends with Privileges, released by Sony Japan. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide