El DeBarge -- El Busted Again

31. This can't be a picture of him! This man us to be sooooo FINE.I'm not surprised he has 11 children. Is this a recent picture of him? I pray for his safety while in prison. My prayers are also for his children. It's sad to see anyones father in this condition. Despite all, His Music classic.

Posted at 1:01AM on Oct 30th 2008 by Cassie

32. Wow he's probably sold a million this week off of the gossip alone!! Even the bad gossip is good gossip in the media people devour it like a good meal. I'm sure his family thanks you for your support weather you or not you intended to support him keep it coming cha ching, cha ching$$$$!!!!!!

Posted at 2:46AM on Oct 31st 2008 by Get a life

33. It is so sad that the 80s brought about the crack epidemic and the AIDS epidemic. I personnaly loved the 80s but I know som many people that had to battle their addictions through the 21st century. I hope he gets it together, what a talented man.

Posted at 2:22PM on Nov 5th 2008 by Liya325

34. OMG!I can't believe this man let his life spin out of control so viciously.I used to LOVE this guy.Now he looks like he's going insane.Please somebody help him!

Posted at 11:46PM on Nov 13th 2008 by Kisses

35. It breaks my heart to see this shocking picture of el debarge. I still can't believe that's him. This man has one of the most beautiful and unique voices in the music industry ever. not only is he a singer but a musician, songwriter and producer. It's a damn shame how drugs have plagued the debarge family. james and chico also used to be strung out. Never had the slightest idea el was on drugs too ! So much talent in one family! I love el debarge and his songs will forever live in my heart. his high pitch voice is gorgeous. i will pray to the lord for you el. hang in there so you can make your awaited comeback!

Posted at 7:47PM on Nov 20th 2008 by wanda from nyc

36. This explains why he was not on VH One's "Unsung". But his "estranged" wife Monique was on there. I think he was sentenced to 2 years or someting. So sad, their family has gone through some real troubling times, and the public never really knew it. Drugs took a toll on ALL of the Debarge children. Thank GOD some of them were able to rehabilitate.

Posted at 9:02PM on Nov 27th 2008 by soneonewhocares

37. This is not a time for pity. This is a time for prayer. DeBarge was one of the best R&B groups from the 80's before El started to sing horrible pop songs (except for After the Dance). Judging from earlier comments on this page it is obvious that most of the critics never listened to 80's R&B and in addition, they have not spent time with a lot of African-Americans. Just like Latinos, African-Americans have a range of skin color from dark to white. Lastly, not all biracial children look latino or like Mariah Carey so beware how you judge a person's ethnicity. I pray for a new album from this family because the songs on radio today are horrible. Obsession with greed and looks have killed genuine talent.

Posted at 9:35AM on Nov 28th 2008 by Old School R&B Fan Forever

38. Unsung aired on TV One, not VH1. VH1 would probably never devote an hour to the DeBarge family. Also, his name is ELDRA PATRICK DEBARGE, TMZ. The last time I saw him perform was in 2001 in LA. The place was jammed packed and he mostly performed songs of others because of licensing issues. He was magnificent, absolutely magnificent. I look at the mug shot and can only think how sad it is that this is what his life has become. His voice was beautiful as was he at one point. Now knowing what he and his siblings went through growing up, it makes my heart break for him even more. Hopefully during his time in prison he can shake some of these demons and get clean.

Posted at 9:08PM on Nov 28th 2008 by saddened

39. Debarge family. My heart goes out to you all.. I miss hearing Bobby and El's falsettos. The Debarges are very talented indeed. Bobby was and El is out of this world!!!!I pray for the family every day because I have always loved the DeBarges and wanted to give them a hug. Their story is so sad and tragic. But with faith in the lord, they can overcome ANYTHING and I hope they will remember this from their very strict church upbringing, All things are possible through our Lord, Jesus Christ. I pray that El can pull things together QUICKLY before it is too late. . Debarge, family and siblings, because of the family and Switch, because of the Late Bobby and his brother Tommy have fans for life, I pray this very talented clan can get their lives together, because you have several loyal fans out there who want to support you and your family and would like to see yoy thu back on top where you belong. A great big hug goes out to Bobby Debarge and his family, Mama Debarge, EL Debarge and all of the family.

Posted at 9:56PM on Nov 29th 2008 by Bren

40. I was the world's biggest El Debarge fan. It is heartbreaking to hear this news...I was in awe.

El wrote a song entitled "Turn the Page" and I want him to turn THIS page in his life. Let this season end. I could tell you about every article and television program he was on and what was said. I thought the world of him. Although, I have matured and experienced some things for my self. I KNOW me praying for him is the best thing I can do for him and his family. We need not judge or brow beat anyone because we all have experienced some thing we wish we can erase from our bios..

I am very grateful to TV1 for the UNSUNG program. I will be following up with TV1 via letter.

Posted at 4:31PM on Nov 29th 2008 by Catrina Hatcher

41. The DeBarges were always one of the most beautiful and talented families in showbusiness, they were also one of the most self-destructive as well. I am so glad that the public after nearly 30 years is still fascinated with this family, because they put out some of the best soul music of the 80s and I have been a fan eversince. I am glad that the TVONE Special Unsung has revealed their triumphs and tragedies in a way that people may be able to understand them. Unforetuneately they never loved themselves enough to stay away from their family curse of drugs. All ten of Mama DeBarges children were addicted to drugs. El, the most gifted member of the family probably was watching the TV Special on Thanksgiving from his jail cell. As Gregory Williams said they have had demons that they just could not overcome (ie., incest, drugs, sexual orientation, AIDS, interracial marriage and overzealous female and male fans!) Yet when Bobby, their oldest brother died of AIDS, it should have been their wake up call, instead El and his brothers continued their reckless ways. El has over 10 children mostly from overzealous female fans, he has been arrested for asaulting women since 1985 and countless rehab programs ordered for him, yet he continued to be a menace to his family and society in general with his drug use. I think I read that his latest arrest was at a crack house at 9am. Unlike many of the DeBarge family fans, I have never seen them through rose colored glasses. They are truly troubled and perhaps jail will be the final wake up call for a man who's talent was on par with Micheal Jackson and Prince at one time. TIME WILL REVEAL!

Posted at 2:48AM on Dec 1st 2008 by Les

42. I can't believe this is El DeBarge. El your are scaring me I don't want you to suffer the same fate as Bobby. It's too late for me to reach out to him, but it is not too late to reach out to you. Don't let the Demons hold you down because I know you are better then this. I know you can overcome the drugs, but you have to WANT TO

Posted at 9:22AM on Dec 3rd 2008 by Concerned

43. Janet was married to James Debarge, around 1984.

Posted at 12:12PM on Dec 3rd 2008 by Deb

44. well it's just unfortunate, they had a difficult upbringing filled w/ abuse physical & sexual & riduculed for growig up in a time where being african american & white was damn near illegal. the funny thing is for the longest time he was the only one who didn't use any drugs while the rest of his family was getting high, motown dropped everyone except for him, drugs wil ruin ANYTHING!

Posted at 10:12AM on Dec 7th 2008 by blaktalez

45. this is a shame as a few months back el did a show (the 80's music fest) in honolulu and really exemplified why he ws such a success in the 80's

Posted at 2:15AM on Dec 21st 2008 by doe