HOLLYWOOD—HELLO AMERICA! There are people in Hollywood who from the first moment they come into some eminence, there is a feeling of a short-lived position of prominence. Then a Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, James Dean or a Whitney Houston and even an El DeBarge arrive on the scene and you instantly experience the magic they exude – you know instantly they really are different and you never tire of them. They have staying power, that “X” quality the real stars of the industry possess. 

El DeBarge is one of those soulful very honest singers who takes you to the center of your being when he sings. Proof of this is when he was recently released from a two-year stint in prison for a drug problem.  However, long before he drifted over the edge, we spent many days and nights together in my home, and I sensed his loneliness and need for something that, to him at the time, was unreachable. His contract with Motown was dead, the group (DeBarge) he founded consisting of his brothers was also history. His brother James married Janet Jackson and that was a disaster, and another brother died of an overdose – so El seemed to be moving in any and every direction, struggling to find a place where he might belong, as well as rediscovering emotional solitude and peace. 

Many of our nights were spent listening to music, discussing the business, and all the things we both wanted to accomplish, hopefully to make a difference in a rather confusing world. In retrospect, it was a nightmare. I was working with Sal Scorza, who signed me as Editor in Chief on the “American Music Awards” and the “Golden Globe Award” shows under the banner of Dick Clark Productions. Drama, from every direction, seemed to invade my Toluca Lake home. Singer Gregory Abbott ("Shake You Down"), following the breakup of his marriage with singer Freda Payne, appeared at the door. Phillip Michael Thomas ("Miami Vice") had contract problems and he needed advice. Glenn Ford, who was having problems with his son Peter, who happened to be one of my closest friends, asked if I might bring him and his son closer together. Possibly I should have changed my name to “Dr. Phil”?

Of all the people with whom I was involved, El DeBarge seemed to need me more. After all the success he had with "Rhythm of the Night" and "Time Will Reveal" that were mega hits, he could not handle the sudden fall from the music charts. After one of his friends, a drug dealer, was shot and killed while trying to climb through a girlfriend’s window, El disappeared from the scene.

Several years later, when picking up the industry trades, I read that he was sentenced on a drug charge for two years. On his release, he contacted me. He was very excited about his freedom and his career plans. He had recorded a single “Second Chance” and promised to send me a copy. Not only that, but he was also asked to appear on a BET Awards show in Washington, D.C. 

His new song was brilliant; the music, lyrics, El’s voice was even better than it was years before. He even agreed to go on a tour with Mary J. Blige as her opening act. There were offers from every major source in the business. Then it happened! I received a call that El DeBarge was having substance abuse issues again and checked himself into a rehab center.

Of course, those of us who love and care about El are disappointed, but understand that his problem is labeled as a disease, and then we move into a more sympathetic place or mode. El DeBarge’s rehab situation was voluntary. He has asked all who care about him to try and understand the journey he is attempting to tackle. “I will do whatever has to be done to regain the strength I had when I first got into the business,” he said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back!”

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