James Ingram

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James Edward Ingram (February 16, 1952 – January 29, 2019)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="thrdeath">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He was a two-time Grammy Award-winner and a two-time Academy Award nominee for Best Original Song. After beginning his career in 1973, Ingram charted eight top 40 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart from the early 1980s until the early 1990s, as well as thirteen top 40 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In addition, he charted 20 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart (including two number-ones). He had two number-one singles on the Hot 100: the first, a duet with fellow R&B artist Patti Austin, 1982's "Baby, Come to Me" topped the U.S. pop chart in 1983; "I Don't Have the Heart", which became his second number-one in 1990, was his only number-one as a solo artist.

In between these hits, he also recorded the song "Somewhere Out There" with fellow recording artist Linda Ronstadt for the animated film An American Tail. The song and the music video both became hits. Ingram co-wrote "The Day I Fall in Love", from the motion picture Beethoven's 2nd (1993), and singer Patty Smyth's "Look What Love Has Done", from the motion picture Junior (1994), which earned him nominations for Best Original Song from the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammy Awards in 1994 and 1995.

Early life

Ingram was born in Akron, Ohio, where he attended Akron's East High School and received a track scholarship to the University of Akron.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Subsequently, he moved to Los Angeles and played with the band Revelation Funk, which made an appearance in the Rudy Ray Moore film Dolemite. He also later played keyboards for Ray Charles before becoming famous. James Ingram received his first publishing deal with 20th Century Fox publishing company, which is where he sang the $50 demo for "Just Once".<ref name="James Ingram obituary">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career

Ingram provided the vocals to "Just Once"<ref name="Just Once">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and "One Hundred Ways"<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> on Quincy Jones's 1981 album The Dude, which earned Ingram triple Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist.<ref name="The 24th Annual Grammy Awards" >{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "One Hundred Ways" won him the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his work. On December 11, 1981, Ingram appeared as a guest on the Canadian comedy series SCTV (which aired on NBC), singing "Just Once".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ingram's debut album, It's Your Night, was released in 1983 and included the ballad "There's No Easy Way".<ref name="James Ingram obituary" /> He worked with other notable artists such as Donna Summer, Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Viktor Lazlo, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Kim Carnes, and Kenny Rogers. In October 1990, he scored a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the love ballad "I Don't Have the Heart",<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> from his It's Real album.

In 1984, Ingram received three additional Grammy nominations: "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" (his second duet with recording artist Patti Austin), for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals; the US Top 10 single, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" for Michael Jackson, which Ingram and Quincy Jones co-wrote, for Best R&B Song; and the track "Party Animal" for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. In early 1985, he was nominated for his debut album (It's Your Night) for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and for its single, "Yah Mo B There" (a duet with fellow R&B musician Michael McDonald), for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, and won the latter.<ref name="James Ingram obituary" /><ref name="James Ingram, R&B star and Michael Jackson collaborator, dies aged 66">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="US R&B singer-songwriter James Ingram dies aged 66">Template:Cite news</ref>

Ingram is perhaps best known for his hit collaborations with other vocalists. He scored a No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 chart in February 1983 with Patti Austin on the duet "Baby, Come to Me",<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> a song made popular on TV's General Hospital. A second Austin–Ingram duet, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?", was featured in the movie Best Friends (1982) and earned an Oscar nomination.<ref name="The 55th Academy Awards (1983) Nominees and Winners">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1984, he teamed up with Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes for the Top 40 ballad "What About Me?"<ref name="James Ingram obituary" /> In 1985, Ingram won a Grammy Award for "Yah Mo B There", a duet with Michael McDonald, and participated in the charity project "We Are the World".<ref name="James Ingram obituary" />

File:James Ingram singing.jpg

Ingram performing in 2012

Ingram teamed with American vocalist Linda Ronstadt and had a million-selling #2 hit in the U.S. and a Top 10 U.K. hit in 1987<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> with "Somewhere Out There", the theme from the animated feature film An American Tail. The song was awarded the 1987 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. It also received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. It was one of the last million-selling Gold-certified 45 RPM singles to be issued by the RIAA.<ref name="Linda Ronstadt - Chart History">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="The 59th Academy Awards - 1987">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="James Ingram - Grammy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the 1990s, Ingram's highest-profile team-up came again with Quincy Jones, on the song "The Secret Garden". This song also featured vocals by Barry White, El DeBarge, and Al B. Sure!.<ref name="The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits.">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Soundtrack songs were popular for Ingram in the 1990s. From the movie Sarafina! came "One More Time", and from City Slickers came "Where Did My Heart Go?" In 1991, he and Melissa Manchester performed the song "The Brightest Star" in the animated Christmas film Precious Moments Timmy's Gift. In 1993, they performed the song again in the film's sequel Precious Moments Timmy's Special Delivery. Ingram's 1994 composition "The Day I Fall in Love", a duet with Dolly Parton, was the theme song for the movie Beethoven's 2nd and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.<ref name="1993 Academy Awards® Winners and History">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Beethoven's 2nd (1993)">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ingram and Parton performed the song live on the Oscar broadcast. In 1997, he and Carnie Wilson co-wrote the song "Our Time Has Come" and lent it to the animated film Cats Don't Dance.<ref name="James Ingram obituary" /><ref name="US R&B singer-songwriter James Ingram dies aged 66" /><ref name="James Ingram, R&B star and Michael Jackson collaborator, dies aged 66" />

During the summer of 2004, Ingram participated in the U.S. television reality show Celebrity Duets as a duet partner. The show combined professional vocalists, of various musical genres, with entertainers of different backgrounds in a weekly elimination competition.<ref name="The Celebrity Duets premiere: Hits and misses">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2006, Ingram and neo-soul singer Angie Stone teamed up on "My People".<ref name="My People by Angie Stone">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2011, Ingram joined Cliff Richard's list of special guest performers on his Soulicious Tour performing at various UK venues during November.<ref name="Cliff Richard – review">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He sang two songs from the album with Richard, as well a solo of "Just Once".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2012, Ingram appeared as himself in the ABC television show Suburgatory, in the episode "The Motherload".<ref name="The Motherload">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Also in 2012, he was a guest vocalist at Debbie Allen's October 13 live show at the corner of Crenshaw Blvd. and Martin Luther King Blvd. celebrating the arrival of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, singing R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly".<ref name="Space Shuttle Endeavour Exhibit Opens to the Public at the California Science Center">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="James Ingram, R&B Singing Star, Dead At 66">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Death

Ingram died of brain cancer in Los Angeles on January 29, 2019, at the age of 66.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions					Certifications
		US <ref name=BB2>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref name=BB4>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US Gospel <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref name=aus>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="ARIA2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		UK <ref name=OC>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
It's Your Night	Released: 1983 Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.	46	10	—	—	25	RIAA: Gold<ref name="James Ingram US certifications">Template:Cite certification</ref>
Never Felt So Good	Released: 1986 Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.	123	37	—	100	72
It's Real	Released: 1989 Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.	117	44	—	99	—
Always You	Released: 1993 Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.	—	74	—	195	—
Stand	Released: 2008 Label: Intering	—	63	18	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions			Certifications
		US <ref name=BB2/>	US R&B <ref name=BB4/>	AUS <ref name="ARIA2"/>
Greatest Hits: The Power of Great Music	Released: 1991 Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.	168	—	158	RIAA: Gold<ref name="James Ingram US certifications" />
Forever More (Love Songs, Hits & Duets)	Released: 1999 Label: Private Music	165	94	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions

Title	Year	Peak chart positions					Certifications	Album
		US <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US A/C <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref name=aus/><ref name="ARIA">Template:Cite Ryan</ref><ref name="ARIA2"/>	UK <ref name=OC />
"Just Once" Template:Small	1981	17	11	7	—	—	—	The Dude
"One Hundred Ways" Template:Small		14	10	5	—	—	—
"Baby, Come to Me" Template:Small	1982	1	9	1	38	11	RIAA: Gold<ref name="James Ingram US certifications" />	Every Home Should Have One
"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" Template:Small	1983	45	6	5	—	—	—	It's Your Night
"Party Animal"		—	21	—	—	—	—
"Yah Mo B There" Template:Small		19	5	—	—	12	—
"There's No Easy Way"	1984	58	14	7	—	—	—
"She Loves Me (The Best That I Can Be)"		—	59	19	—	—	—
"What About Me?" Template:Small		15	57	1	—	92	—	What About Me?
"It's Your Night"	1985	—	—	—	—	82<ref name=OC />	—	It's Your Night
"America (The Dream Goes On)" Template:Small		—	—	—	—	—	—	Boston Pops: America, The Dream Goes On
"Always"	1986	—	27	—	—	—	—	Never Felt So Good
"I Just Can't Let Go" Template:Small		—	—	13	—	—	—	Anywhere You Go
"Never Felt So Good"		—	86	—	—	—	—	Never Felt So Good
"Somewhere Out There" Template:Small		2	—	4	31	8	RIAA: Gold<ref name="James Ingram US certifications" />	An American Tail
"Better Way"	1987	—	66	—	98	—	—	Beverly Hills Cop II: The Motion Picture Soundtrack Album
"It's Real"	1989	—	8	—	—	83	—	It's Real
"I Wanna Come Back"		—	18	—	—	—	—
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man"		—	30	—	—	—	—
"The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)" Template:Small	1990	31	1	26	—	67	—	Back on the Block
"I Don't Have the Heart"		1	53	2	78	—	—	It's Real
"When Was the Last Time the Music Made You Cry"		—	81	29	—	—	—
"Where Did My Heart Go"	1991	—	—	23	184	—	—	City Slickers: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"Get Ready"		—	59	—	—	—	—	The Greatest Hits: The Power of Great Music
"Someone Like You"	1993	—	—	34	—	—	—	Always You
"The Day I Fall in Love" Template:Small	1994	—	—	36	—	64	—	Beethoven's 2nd: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"I Don't Want to Be Alone for Christmas (Unless I'm Alone with You)"		—	—	—	—	—	—	A Very Merry Chipmunk
"When You Love Someone" Template:Small	1995	—	71	39	—	—	—	Forget Paris: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"Give Me Forever (I Do)" Template:Small	1998	66	—	5	—	—	—	Pure Movies
"Forever More (I'll Be the One)" Template:Small	1999	—	—	12	—	—	—	One World
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances

Appearances of James Ingram on other artists' songs

Title	Year	Album	Artist
"Mystery of Love"<ref name="James Ingram / Donna Summer - Mystery of Love">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1982	Donna Summer	Donna Summer
"We Are the World"<ref name="James Ingram obituary" />	1985	We Are the World	USA for Africa
"One More Time"	1992	Sarafina! Original Soundtrack<ref name='"One More Time"'>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"Just Once" (live version)	1994	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"Wish You Were Here"<ref name="James Ingram - Wish You Were Here">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1997	If I Had My Way	Nancy Wilson
"Our Time Has Come"<ref name="Original Soundtrack Cats Don't Dance">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1997	Cats Don't Dance	Carnie Wilson
"What U Give U Get Back"<ref name="Scorpions - Eye II Eye">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1999	Eye II Eye	Scorpions
"What About Me?"<ref name="James Ingram obituary" />	2000	Kenny Rogers & Friends	Kenny Rogers
"One Gift"	2001	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Michael McDonald
"If You Really Need Me Now"<ref name="Patti Austin - On the Way to Love">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2001	On the Way to Love	Patti Austin

Filmography

• 1981 - SCTV "3D House of Beef" sketch, as himself
• 1997: The Fearless Four as Buster (voice – English version)<ref name="Fearless Four, The(1997)">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• 2012: Suburgatory; himself (episode: "The Motherload")<ref name="The Motherload" />

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Ingram has won two Grammy Awards out of fourteen nominations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Year	Nominated work	Category	Result
Template:Grammy	James Ingram	Best New Artist	Template:Nom
	"Just Once"	Best Male Pop Vocal Performance	Template:Nom
	"One Hundred Ways"	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance	Template:Won
Template:Grammy	"How You Do Keep the Music Playing?" (with Patti Austin)	Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Template:Nom
	"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"	Best R&B Song (songwriting with Quincy Jones)	Template:Nom
	"Party Animal"	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance	Template:Nom
Template:Grammy	"Yah Mo B There" (with Michael McDonald)	Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Template:Won
		Best R&B Song (songwriting with Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Michael McDonald)	Template:Nom
	It's Your Night	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance	Template:Nom
Template:Grammy	"Somewhere Out There" (with Linda Ronstadt)	Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Template:Nom
Template:Grammy	"I Don't Have the Heart"	Best Male Pop Vocal Performance	Template:Nom
	"The Secret Garden" (with Al B. Sure, El DeBarge and Barry White)	Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Template:Nom
Template:Grammy	"The Day I Fall in Love"	Best Song Written for Visual Media (songwriting with Cliff Magness and Carole Bayer Sager)	Template:Nom
Template:Grammy	"When You Love Someone" (with Anita Baker)	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	Template:Nom

Academy Award nominations

• 1994: Best Original Song for "The Day I Fall in Love" from the motion picture Beethoven's 2nd (shared with Cliff Magness and Carole Bayer Sager)<ref name="1993 Academy Awards® Winners and History" />
• 1995: Best Original Song for "Look What Love Has Done" the motion picture Junior (shared with Carole Bayer Sager, James Newton Howard, and Patty Smyth)<ref name="1994 Academy Awards® Winners and History">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Golden Globe Award nominations

• 1994: Best Original Song for "The Day I Fall in Love" (shared with Cliff Magness and Carole Bayer Sager)<ref name="Golden Globe nominations">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• 1995: Best Original Song for "Look What Love Has Done" (shared with Carole Bayer Sager, James Newton Howard, and Patty Smyth)<ref name="Film, TV Nominees for the Golden Globes">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

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