The Life & Career of Alexander O'Neal | Fired By Prince, 30+ Year Drug Addiction, Success in The UK

He knew he had a tremendous gift but, didn’t imagine he would one day use it to become one of the’80s most charismatic and successful male recording artists. It wasn’t easy dealing with everything that goes along with fame and fortune though. And behind the music, he was struggling with a serious addiction that would continue to have a hold on him for decades to come and threaten to ruin what he’d worked so hard to achieve.
#AlexanderONeal #Prince #JimmyJamTerryLewis
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[@Feed-My-Mind-Not-My-Ego]

Whenever I hear the song "If You Were Here Tonight," I want to sit in front of the fireplace with all the lights off with a glass of champagne and listen, not sing along but just listen while swaying my upper body from left to right. That song is the perfect mood.

[@JuicyPopEntertainment]

I love this visual! 🥰

[@ShaeNik]

Your idea description is the perfect mood 😊

[@taureanmay1411]

​@@JuicyPopEntertainment6:40 yes.

[@sms2091ll]

Indeed😌

[@123reletive123]

It really is

[@beaniegee5129]

If You Were Here Tonight by Alexander O'Neal is a timeless classic ballad

[@carterj2260]

1000000% I play it at least twice a day.

[@pn6528]

@@carterj2260 And 3 times on Sunday!!!🎶🎵🎶🎵💜

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

In the video though, he looked madly sus when woke up out of bed. ROTFLMAO

[@Hains22]

Fun fact: none of the words in that song rhyme.

[@MaiMai-ys4yg]

Yes so romantic

[@beaniegee5129]

His collaborations with singer Cherrelle are timeless

[@troycorbett7472]

100

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I agree .

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@misterbee66 yes they had great chemistry I love his background vocals on her track everything I miss at home .

[@TheLovesnowangel]

Prince colorism and divo attitude wasn’t addressed enough. Love him for his music and style but his personality was questionable

[@bjiunal6687]

Deal with it. So sad, too bad.

[@pn6528]

Agreed.

[@prestonpfeiffer]

Absolutely

[@danavixen6274]

I loathe what drugs had done to him. His voice was beautiful and soulful. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis made INCREDIBLE music with Alexander O'Neal. Saturday Love with Cherrelle is STILL a banger! His Christmas album is worth a listen during the holidays! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lisaallen-dg6bn]

YES, but those cigarettes and drugs took his voice away. HE CANT sing like before but God is a healer I know from experience 😊

[@danavixen6274]

@@lisaallen-dg6bn I just hope Mr. O'Neal is happy in his personal life since he is about to retire. He will leave behind some great music from my childhood. 🙏🏾

[@lisaallen-dg6bn]

@@danavixen6274 Yes Your right sis we will not get real soul music like that anymore.

[@taotaostrong]

Fortunately, his voice is still amazing. I saw him live a few years ago, and he absolutely killed it. ❤

[@lisaallen-dg6bn]

@@taotaostrong Wow ok from what we heard in Baltimore he did not sound the same. However, I still like him.

[@timmy841212]

Alex is a legend in my opinion and he definitely would’ve been bigger had he not been so addicted. ❤

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Exactly he would have been up there with Luther , Freddie ,Jeffrey and others that did stop a lot for him.

[@MonicaMariaMcLean-sh8ej]

He would have been bigger if it wasn't for his drug addiction but he let it take over his life

[@Hains22]

Alexander O’ Neal, the best pure singer Jam & Lewis have ever produced.

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

I say that a lot. Yeah Flyte Tyme had the must success with Janet, but c'mon the chem between Alex and Terry & Jam were off-the-hook. Sergio and Herb would have never let Janet go to Tabu...I don't even think Clarence Avant would have won that bidding war I-J-S LMAO

[@SaharaColeman]

Omg every time my family would get together, my uncle would play his song “Love Makes No Sense” on repeat. 💯😭

[@beaniegee5129]

His club hits and ballads are timeless classics

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I agree.

[@thebrownbaldy]

Speaking of Cherelle, we're overdue for a video on her. Saturday Love was amd still is a collaboration banger.

[@stevewilson5749]

"I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" you can hear that classic jam in the background...Dr.Dre was a club DJ in the movie "Straight Outta Compton" 🤔🤩😁💯🎶🎶🎬📽

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@stevewilson5749 yep it was in the straight outta compton scene I remember even mariah carey had her version in glitter .

[@anthonymcmillan8273]

Him and Cherelle should've made an album together since they've collaborated so much. If this is his last time performing next year then may God be with him seriously because he's been on and off drugs for most of his career. Drugs aren't easy to fight off but I'm hoping he'll do other things to keep busy so he won't relapse. I remember listening to Saturday Love when I was little! That was one of my mother's and my favorite songs to sing. May God bless and protect Alexander and rip mom🙏!!

[@danavixen6274]

Alexander's duets with Cherrelle were and still are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@sistasoler77]

Alexander O'Neal had some bangers. That 'Hearsay' album continues to be on repeat!

[@skylarkn8701]

Jam, Lewis, and the other members of The Times told a different version of their meeting with Prince and Alex sabotaging his own opportunity. It was Prince’s early days of his career when he met with them to discuss forming The Time. Alex started demanding he needed a house, he needed paper, he needed a car, etc. They said Prince just turned around an walked out.

[@delshawnmcdaniel2828]

It was self sabotage. A lot of ppl overlook the fact that he was his own demise

[@briirene3156]

I’m a 94 baby and I love Alexander O’Neal 😭😭 I wanted him and Cherrelle to do a collab album so bad !

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I still do.

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

Alexander O'Neal is so underated. He had one of the best voices and timeless bops. ❤❤❤

[@honeybee19892]

I love Alexander O Neal and I am British too. Interesting to know he had more success here..

[@beaniegee5129]

Actress AJ Johnson from House Party, Sister Act, The Inkwell and Baby Boy appeared in Alexander O'Neal's Criticize video playing the keyboard and singer and percussionist Brie Howard Darling also played drums in the video

[@stevewilson5749]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Love❤❤❤❤....a timeless classic...who still listening in 2023!!🤔😍🤩💯🎶🎶🎶🎶❤️💙🖤

[@nicolesherman8974]

Saturday Love with him and Cherrelle bangs to this day 💃🏾💃🏾.

[@bobthebarber777]

You know.... this story with an ex girlfriend and playing "you're a fake" over and over again.... Thanks my dear for another great video 🙏🏻

[@tonimichelle8401]

Saturday Love is one of my all time favorite r&b classics. I agree, he & Cherelle would've made a phenomenal collab album, their chemistry is always so good together! I remember a few from Alex O'Neal's Unsung episode comparing him to Luther Vandross and I couldn't agree more ❤

[@AquariusSoul]

He had a few bangers...... whenever an artist plans to go on a last tour or a group plan to do a new album after so many years of absence, something always goes wrong. (i.e. MJ, H-Town, Hi Five etc) I wish Alexander the best and hope he can overcome his addiction.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Exactly 💯 I noticed that too when they slow down something tragic happens.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Hi five still breaks my heart.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

his background vocals on everything I miss at home are everything.

[@feistygrandma2636]

I have to give Alexander O'Neal his ⭐🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 he gave us some damn good music 🎶🎶

[@marvinandjosh1]

I hate to hear that about Prince but I am also NOT surprised.

[@jewelofaries]

Everytime I hear "Saturday Love" now, I always think about Jamie Foxx imitating.Alex's southern accent in the line, There's never any quuhrstion." 🤣😂🤣 Alex was one the better male vocalist of the 80's. Thank you for sharing.

[@househead67]

Hearsay is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. 🙂

[@missparsley3202]

Idem Dito.

[@DaytimeNightmare]

Hearsay.....Criticize..... Broken Heart can Mend........Crying overtime.. 👍👍🍇🍇 great songs..

[@randygivens8421]

Love Jimmy Jam & Terri Lewis for trying to help him. So sad.

[@traceylennon1204]

Prince wasn't always a nice guy was he? Let's be real!!

[@msd3879]

Prince was a raging colorist

[@visionop8]

He wasn't the best at making friends. You should read about how he intentionally broke an expensive and rare guitar owned by a member of the Roots on the Jimmy Fallon show in 2013.

[@djcruza]

Everything happens for a reason. Had he not fired, Mr O'Neal may have not had the success he had

[@Wc7823]

@@visionop8 oh wow!!! 😢

[@hiphopjewels]

No, he was not nice at all, and never pretended to be either lol. Nobody was going to alpha male Prince, that's for sure. Prince was tight with money too, so he saw a red flag and sent Alexander O'Neal on his way.

[@stevewilson5749]

🎶We Used To Have Good Love....But Now It's Gone...So Girl...Let's Try To Find Out What's Missing...🎶🎶🎶💯🤩who's listening in 2023!!!!❤️💙🖤

[@taotaostrong]

I saw him live just a few years ago. His voice is pure magic!

[@MaiMai-ys4yg]

Yes! Requested this video months ago! What a treat! Thank you for listening to your viewers ❤❤

[@TheeOnyxScholar]

Saturday Love with Cherrelle 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾…my mama blasted this in car when I was younger and I’ve been having this song on rotation ever since then.

[@stevewilson5749]

"If You Were Here Tonight"...Quiet storm classic❤❤❤😊😍💯🎶🎶🎶

[@stevewilson5749]

"Fake", "Criticize", "Innocent" I have all of these classic hits on 12"(long versions)😊😍💯🎶🎶🎶❤️💙🖤

[@stevewilson5749]

I seen his story on "Unsung" When you get "hooked" the first time...it's quite hard to get unhooked... 🤔😲😔

[@krislatoya7556]

It seems he had it rough but I LOVE HIS CHRISTMAS ALBUM. I have him on my Christmas playlist. Too many songs for me to belt out but anyhow 🎶OOOOHHHH WE FELL IN LOVE AND IT'S OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS🎶, 🎶REMEMBER WHYYYYYY IT'S CHRISTMAS🎶,🎶IF YOU WERE HERE TONIGHTTTTT, BY MY SIDEEEEEEEE🎶 Magical voice and smooth lyrics.

[@Wc7823]

❤ great piece. I love his voice so much. Sunshine is phenomenal.

[@MaiMai-ys4yg]

I love sunshine !

[@ricardored207]

He definitely was a voice that I STILL enjoy listening to‼️🏆👉🏽👨🏽🗣️🎶🎵

[@missparsley3202]

He IS a voice worth listening to.

[@reneishabrooks5187]

What a talented singer, but drugs and ego can def ruin a person tbh.

[@kerryskhemet]

Shame on Spotify with their addicted sounding versions of Alex's music. The company must really want to damage his legacy. Fortunately, I still have the original CD's.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Exactly ruining his talents.

[@warriorjgamer]

Alexander is an incredible talent I had no idea about his drug addiction I feel if it wasn’t for that he’d be that much famous than he already is

[@beaniegee5129]

The song Criticize was heard in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV

[@katrinadixon1337]

As an 80s baby I love your channel. Have you covered a story on Nona Gaye?

[@yolanda9504]

My favorite Alexandra, O’Neal song is Sunshine but I definitely loved when he collaborated with Cheryl. Saturday love he has a great voice.

[@abundantlywealthy8642]

In the summer of 2014 I was blessed with the opportunity to meet him and his wife❤️❤️ they were so sweet my favorite song is If you were here tonight 🙏🏾🙏🏾 I have his first CD he signed it for me 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@larhondaburchett3271]

I don’t think his name gets mentioned enough when ppl talk about R&B singers. No matter what you can’t deny his talent.

[@pn6528]

If You were Here Tonight is one of the best songs of all time. I love Alexander O'Neil. 💜🎶🎵🎵🎶

[@randygivens8421]

He has a beautiful voice!!

[@Rae225]

This was awesome. He had some great hits.

[@beaniegee5129]

Excellent story on Alexander O'Neal

[@jaesease4738]

I am one of his biggest fans!!! I absolutely adore Alexander O’Neal! ❤️❤️

[@RBS_]

.....I'm in SHOCK, that NO ONE here in the comments mentioned that when Prince wrote "Sugarwalls" for Sheena Easton, he wrote it under the pseudonym, *"Alexander Nevermind"* , as a dig at Alex...then, Alex was in the Top 20 R&B charts Feb. 1985, with "Innocent", while Sheena was in the Top Ten! ..we MINDED, Prince! ...ha-HAA!!

[@vonnyeaallen]

Interesting, thank you for the fun fact!

[@tayethediva8527]

“Sunshine” is my song!

[@kimberlyjackson7266]

I love him! If you were here tonight was the jam and Cherrelle was a beautiful artist as well! ❤

[@kyanderson3989]

I grew up on the "Hearsay" album. No skips, Jam, Lewis & Alex at their best! TYSM for the video.

[@tia.tt_]

I love me some Alexander O’Neal ❤❤

[@Rkhsk45]

One of my personal all time FAVORITES. Criminally underrated.

[@BreaLinn]

I still listen to Alexander O’neil. Some of my favorite songs are When the morning comes, Crying overtime (I like Case’s version better), and Sunshine.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I forgot that too I was thinking of the morning after.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I love case too.

[@ingriddouglas408]

Great singer, I love❤ his music. I am not judging any one with a drug addiction, I hope he gets the help he needs.

[@thecloud9effect765]

Glad to be here.

[@Jaheartsjonas]

For some reason, some of his biggest hits are not available on Spotify. Only newer rerecordings with less than stellar vocals and bg music (let's just say it's karaoke-esque, it's a shame what substances do to your voice). Just a heads up when you're trying to listen to Alex on there. It's really a shame if it's the case that he doesn't own his masters or the label is somehow stingy about putting them on streaming

[@chancest.thomas5160]

Lol Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis shut ALL Dat Shhh DOWN!!

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@chancest.thomas5160 I noticed that too only re recorded versions are available .

[@turiyahall7526]

One of my favorites

[@nataliemscrzysxycoolharris]

Rehab for drug/alcohol addiction is a joke to me. It can work if people go in for at minimum 6 months maybe but 30 days…come on now. Alexander I think played Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. He sold them a good story possibly still getting high. But of course he slipped up…blew his cover and again JJ & TL rescued Alexander yet again. Now let’s be real, would you keep looking out for someone who keeps doing the same thing? He did have some great songs.

[@traceylennon1204]

I like "Used To Have Good Love"

[@ElleMS-14]

I love his music soooooo much!

[@lisaallen-dg6bn]

WOW, HE COULD HAVE GONE SO MUCH FURTHER. I LOVE IF YOU WERE HERE TONIGHT. 😊

[@angelinMem]

My favorite artist!!!!

[@asiablackgrl6482]

This man had some hits! Of course I love Saturday Love and that was my introduction to Alexander O’Neal. I appreciate that he was open about his addiction, even though it is very unfortunate and sad that he struggled.

[@chick-fil-agal2264]

DANG Alexandra will be 70 this year if the Lord says the same, take care of yourself Alex.

[@missparsley3202]

Alexander O'Neal is an ICON. ❤❤❤❤❤💃🕺💯🍀🌺💕

[@househead67]

🎼 There's never any quayshstun. 🤔😎💯

[@rahsaanhill5781]

One of my favorite singers

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

His singing voice are super magical vocalist❤️ ✨ 🙌🏽

[@DariaMorgandoffer]

Broken Heart is my favorite, but Alexander O'Neal is one of my top five favorite artists ever...

[@saj8]

Alex's biggest problem was the drugs. With that being said, Prince had the propensity to overlook people with real talent.

[@Asiatic637]

He got hits

[@MRJLS15]

Such a talented artist

[@shaylah2725]

Saturday Love is always a classic. Im also friends w/ 2 of his daughters ❤ MINNEAPOLIS STAND UP 🎉

[@jayfishandshoot7147]

I thought that was Creflo $ at first.

[@angelagordon57]

We will always love O'Neil ❤ 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@cyshadowx]

Its irony princes dirty laundry came out a few weeks before his passin Mr Oneil is still performing over seas and Jimmy and Terry are legends still doing the that thing im happy there all still doing good

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

I have same middle name “Cherelle “😉😍

[@Feed-My-Mind-Not-My-Ego]

Stop playing. Prince didn't like him questioning that eyeliner.

[@cleftheart1969]

Again that corny just say no is deep 😮 drug addiction is no joke. I tried vicodin once for pain made me sick 😫 alcohol gives pounding headaches 😩 so I get what addicts go through...drugs don't soothe me, they make feel worse... you'll never be a drug addict If you never touch them we all have choices IJS wish him the best 😢

[@LaCheleWallace]

Uncle Al! I like Mr. Alexander O'Neal. Vocally, inoffensive and he made good music. My favorite ended up being _All True Man._ It reminds me of my grandparents taking me to the flea market at the Cow Palace. LOL at Uncle Prince being black when it's convenient. I can kinda see that in certain instances. Po' Mr. O'Neal. They will never give him grace in regards to them drugs. They pick & choose who can and cannot get away w/ it. If the industry really likes you, you can get high all day long. If they're lukewarm, they gon put it on blast. Of course he had to deal w/ ageism. It's a shame how disposable black artists are. It's interesting because Madonna Ciccone is a few years younger than him, but she was able to maintain a spot in the limelight for an extended period of time. Nobody ever said that she was "too old" and "her time is up." Mr. O'Neal was "too old" though. He _cain't_ just be a revered R&B artist in America. He has to pack his bags and go overseas in order to generate some funds. "Oh, you're way too old and black for America. Go overseas!" Just like that. Of course he kept his dream alive by releasing LPs on independent, boutique labels, but c'mon nah. Don't nobody know them LPs. Nah, this po' man is about to do a doggon farewell tour. Po' thang. Just used, abused and thrown away...

[@jamesmorris2828]

God bless u alexander o'neal

[@taureanmay1411]

Alexander O'Neal.

[@taureanmay1411]

He's still here, 😞😭😢, and by the way I got him on KZbin Music 🎵🎶.

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

If it weren't for the drugs, Alex would have been bigger than Janet and Janet wouldn't have had as many songs recorded for her. Alex should have had his own "Rhythm Mississippi 1953" CD or some sh*t like that. "I Like Clappin' Cherrelle's Cheeks S-U Much" and "Bud Would Never Do Without You" and "No Meeat" featuring J-Cole (like No Sleep) and "Bring Those Snacks To Me (I'm Beggin You Please)"

[@user-bt2ro1gq7z]

Wow what a voice alex alex baby waves from bonnie scotland 😊😊😊

[@charlita25]

Man he really ruin his voice. It was a gift from God

[@sms2091ll]

Jahiem could play him in an alexander o'neal biopic

[@househead67]

the square jawline and broad shoulders at 5:50 though. 🤔🙄

[@chancest.thomas5160]

"Innocent" "When The Party's Over" Dayyum a 30 YEAR Drug addiction??!! I'm Older than dat pushin' 40. Lol @ "Banker's Suit" Not CRACK!!

[@vivienebrockington6342]

I love me some Alexander O’Neil 🔥🔥🔥

[@househead67]

Alex had to make his allegiance known at 5:00 with the same hand gesture so many folks throw up who have been put on though. 🤔🙄

[@gary3341]

Sing for Jesus, make money, go to heaven, sing for the world, make money, go to hell

[@stefansimpson7678]

🧡🧡🧡🧡👍👍

[@thecloud9effect765]

Primero!!!!

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

9:07 Cherrelle was SIXTY-ONE at the time she did this performance girating her hips like that. I so wouldn't pull out if I had the chance with her. Cardi B got her looks from her. j/k

[@hustlemansnipes]

It makes no sense the things crack did to the greats in out community!