Michael Watford Explained

Michael Watford
Background:	solo_singer
Birth Name:	Michael Wayne Watford
Birth Date:	20 July 1959
Birth Place:	Suffolk, Virginia, U.S.
Death Place:	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genre:	Dance, house
Occupation:	Singer

Michael Wayne Watford (July 20, 1959 – January 26, 2024) was an American dance music singer, who was born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey.^[1] He was best known for his gospel-influenced vocals on house records^[2] throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Biography

Watford was born in Suffolk, Virginia, on July 20, 1959, and was raised in Newark, New Jersey.^[3] His mother was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a gospel singer, and Watford's early musical experiences came from singing in church.^[3]

Watford's first single, "Holdin' On", was released in 1991.^[3] Four of his singles charted on the United States Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the mid-1990s, including "So into You" which hit number one in 1994.^[4] The same track peaked at No. 53 on the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

Watford's career faltered after 1995, when he was dropped by his label, East West Records, amid administrative turnover.^[3] He withdrew from his performing career in the years afterward, running karaoke bars in Newark before a stint working at a welfare office, though he harbored interest in returning to music.^[3]

Watford died from dementia at a hospital in Newark on January 26, 2024, at the age of 64.^{[3] [6]}

Discography

Albums

• Michael Watford (1994, East West America/Atlantic)^[1]

Singles

• "Holdin' On" (1991, Atlantic)
• "Luv 4-2" (1993, EastWest Records America)
• "Happy Man" (1994, EastWest)
• "Love to the World" (1994, EastWest)
• "So into You" (1994, EastWest) - UK No. 53^[7]
• Love to the World"/"Michael's Prayer" (1994, EastWest)
• "Come Together" - Michael Watford & Robert Owens (1995, Hard Times) - UK No. 94
• "Love Change Over" (1995, Hard Times) - UK No. 86
• "Say Something" (1996, Free Bass)
• "Sunshine" - GTS feat. Michael Watford (1996, Artimage Vinyls)
• "Return Your Love to Me" (1996, Music Station)
• "Mighty Love" (1996, Music Station)
• "You Got It" - Deep Bros. feat. Michael Watford (1997, Azuli Records)
• "For Your Love" (1997, Free Bass)
• "I'm Coming Home" - Vice Versa feat. Michael Watford (1997, Azuli)
• "Heaven Is Calling You" (1997, Ulterior Records)
• "As" (1998, Soundmen On Wax)
• "For You" - Jamie Lewis feat. Michael Watford (1999, Purple Music)
• "Reach On Up" (with Tuff Jam) (1999, Locked On)
• "Understand Me" - I-D feat. Michael Watford(1999, Hole)
• "Watcha Gonna Do" - Jon Cutler & Michael Watford (2005, MN2S)
• "It's Over" - Jamie Lewis & Michael Watford (2006, Purple Music)
• "One More Time" - John Made vs Michael Watford (2006, Dream Beat)

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

Notes and References

1. Book: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music. Colin Larkin. Virgin Books. 1998. First. 0-7535-0252-6. 363.
2. Web site: Henderson. Alex. Michael Watford - Michael Watford review. AllMusic. January 12, 2011.
3. News: Michael Watford, a Minister of Gospel House Music, Dies at 64. Bernstein. Jacob. February 4, 2024. February 4, 2024. The New York Times. limited.
4. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 276.

5. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 1-904994-10-5. 593.
6. News: Lawson . Michael . Michael Watford, prolific US house vocalist, dies . January 31, 2024 . Resident Advisor . January 29, 2024.
7. Web site: MICHAEL WATFORD | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company. Officialcharts.com.