As the Founder of Sacculturalhub.com was at a party last night (Wed-4/15), one of my friends had whispered to me that Robert Brookins had suddenly passed Wednesday evening. Our entire group as we heard the news were surprised and very saddened by the news. There were many at the party who began to hear the news (as it spread rapidly) that became very sad by the news also. Robert Brookins was very popular in Sacramento and so many of us LOVED his music. His death comes too unexpected and at an early age in his legendary music career. My heart goes out to his family for their sudden loss and I will be praying for them.
In Sacramento a public viewing will take place on Friday, April 24th at Morgan and Jones. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 25th at Grant Union High School, beginning at 11:30 am. Information on memorial tributes is forthcoming.
About Robert Brookins
- Robert F. Brookins Jr. born October 7, 1962 in Sacramento, California
Passed away on April 15, 2009 in Elk Grove, California - Robert Brookins was a respected singer, songwriter and producer.
- Born in Sacramento, California, Robert began singing at the age of four.
- At five years old, he was playing drums and by the time he was nine he was playing keyboards.
- By the Eighties he had a good grasp of the bass and lead guitars as well as various horn instruments.
- In 1974, he won the Motown Records Soul Search competition with his group Little Robert and the Fondeles.
- Robert then joined the group Afterbach, in 1981, along with his brother Michael (guitars), and sang lead vocals on the ARC Columbia album ‘Matinee’.
- The album was produced by Maurice and Verdine White of Earth Wind And Fire.
- As a teenager Robert performed in front of Ronald Reagan at the White House in Washington prior to becoming a prominent producer on both the West and East Coast of America during the mid ’80’s.
- In 1986 he was the featured singer on the George Duke album ‘George Duke’, following which he signed to MCA as a solo artist where his debut solo album ‘In The Night’ (1986), included ‘Come To Me’ and the Stephanie Mills duet ‘In The Night (Making Love)’.
- ‘Let It Be Me’ followed in 1988, including another Stephanie Mills duet ‘Where Is The Love’.
- As a writer and / or producer he has worked with The Reddings, Bobby Brown (‘Seventeen’), Jackie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams (‘Blind Dating’), Jeffrey Osborne (‘All Because Of You’) and The Whispers (‘Innocent’).
- Robert has also recorded keyboards with artists including the late George Howard (‘A Nice Place To Be’), Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson (‘The Two of Us’), Stanley Clarke (‘Find Out’) and Roy Ayers.
- Robert kept a low artistic profile throughout the Nineties.
- Robert played at many venues throughout Sacramento that included Center Court With C Webb Restaurant in Natomas and First Fridays of Sacramento.
- Robert Brookins passed away from a heart attack on the 15th of April 2009. He was 46.
Albums recorded:
- In The Night (MCA Records 1987)
- Let It Be Me (MCA Records 1988)
Source: www.soulwalking.co.uk/Robert%20Brookins.html
