Robbie Dupree
Robert Dupuis (born December 23, 1946), known professionally as Robbie Dupree, is an American singer best known for his hit songs "Steal Away" (No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100) and "Hot Rod Hearts" (No. 15).[1]
Robbie Dupree | |
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Birth name | Robert Dupuis |
Born | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | December 23, 1946
Genres | Pop rock, soft rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
Years active | 1978–present |
Labels | Elektra, Beverly, Spectra |
Website | robbiedupree |
Early life
Robbie Dupree was born on December 23, 1946 in Brooklyn, as Robert Dupuis. While growing up, his biggest influences were R&B musicians Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke.
Career
In 1981 he received a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist, losing to Christopher Cross. Dupree's final single to make the Billboard chart, "Brooklyn Girls", peaked at No. 54 in June 1981.
In 1987 Dupree contributed the song "Girls in Cars" to Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2, a collection of theme songs for World Wrestling Entertainment (then known as the World Wrestling Federation). The tag team Strike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel) used an instrumental version of "Girls in Cars" as their entrance music from 1987 to 1989.
In 2010 Dupree signed with Spectra Records and released the album Time and Tide featuring former E Street Band keyboards player David Sancious. On May 21, 2010, Dupree performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as part of Jimmy's ongoing tribute to Yacht rock, the smooth West Coast sound of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 2011 Robbie Dupree toured as part of the All Star Rock concert series. The tour featured John Cafferty, Orleans, David Pack (Ambrosia), John Ford Coley, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie, Joe Lynn Turner, and Joe Bouchard.
In 2012 Dupree released a new album of covers entitled Arc of a Romance.
In 2013 Dupree toured throughout the United States and Canada over the summer as part of the Sail Rock 2013 with Christopher Cross, Player, Gary Wright, Al Stewart, Orleans, Firefall and John Ford Coley.
In the summer of 2018, he and John Ford Coley appeared on the Rock the Yacht 2018 tour alongside Ambrosia, Peter Beckett (of Player) and Stephen Bishop .
In the summer of 2019, Robbie appeared on the podcast A Bunch of Malarkey to discuss his career and recent work.
Discography
Albums
- 1980: Robbie Dupree – US No. 51
- 1981: Street Corner Heroes – US No. 169
- 1989: Carried Away
- 1993: Walking on Water
- 1995: Smoke and Mirrors
- 1997: Vintage Volume 1 (compilation)
- 1998: Live All Night Long
- 2001: Vintage Volume 2 (compilation)
- 2003: Robbie Dupree with David Sancious
- 2010: Time and Tide
- 2012: Arc of a Romance
Singles
- 1980: "Steal Away" – US No. 6, R&B #85; Canada No. 14
- 1980: "Hot Rod Hearts" – US No. 15
- 1980: "Nadie Mas"
- 1981: "Brooklyn Girls" – US No. 54
- 1981: "Saturday Night"
- 1981: "Are You Ready for Love"
- 1987: "Girls in Cars"
- 1988: "This Is Life"
- 1993: "Walking on Water"
- 1993: "Goodbye LA"
- 1995: "Smoke and Mirrors"
- 1997: "Make It Easy on Yourself"
- 1997: "Live All Night Long"
- 2007: "The Critics Are Never Kind"
- 2008: "Fly Away"
- 2010: "Lucky"
- 2011: "Satisfied"
References
- McAleer, Dave (2001). The Book of Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts from 1954 to the Present Day. Backbeat Books. p. 223. ISBN 9780879306663. Retrieved November 9, 2014.