David Lasley

Lasley went to Detroit with his group to play the records they made themselves for local radio stations and to record labels looking for a deal.[13][14][15] They were signed by Fortune Records releasing songs written by Lasley, including Good Friends Forever and Sally Bad.[8] Music critic Dave Marsh, who referred Lasley to Fortune Records, says he was "compelled to mention Detroit roots".[16]

In 1970 he joined the cast of Hair, performing first in Detroit and then on tour. This led to a move to New York City, and performances on and off-Broadway.[16][17][18]

As the band Rosie, with Lynn Pitney and Lana Marrano also on vocals, Lasley released the album Better Late Than Never (RCA, 1976), which featured "Roll Me Through the Rushes", and then Last Dance (RCA, 1977).[19][20][21]

Lasley began his career as a back-up singer in 1970.[22] Along with Luther Vandross, he performed on many of Chic's and Sister Sledge's recordings.[23] In the 1980s Lasley was the radio voice of commercials including Miller Beer and Seagram's Cooler.[8]

In 1977 Lasley began touring with James Taylor as a background vocalist. He also performed as background vocalist on Taylor's recording sessions.[24][25][18][26][27]

Lasley's debut solo album Missin' Twenty Grand was named after the club Twenty Grand miles north of Detroit where he and his sister used to sing for free. Lasley described the album: "it's a lot about my teeenage years. I've often wanted to go back to Detroit".[28][29]

The single "If I Had My Wish Tonight" spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 36 in May 1982.[30][31][32] It was co-written by Dave Loggins, who had originally recorded the song in 1979, and Randy Goodrum.

Billboard 's First Time Around section stated about "Missin' Twenty Grand": "Lasley, a session singer and writer, moves into the pop forefront with this collection of personal and sensitive songs. Lasley's unique falsetto vocal style works well on both pop and R&B accented tunes giving this LP broad appeal."[33]

Billboard Reviews & Previews, wrote of his 2000 album Back to Blue-Eyed Soul: "Lasley delves through his vast catalog, breathing new life into 21 of his finest tunes. (...) Lasley neither mimics the original versions of his hits nor succumbs to the temptation to recast his material with trendy rhythms."[3]

Glenn Hoskins and Barry Towler, Record Corner, wrote of Lasley's 2001 album Expectations of Love: "David’s passionate and soaring falsetto is as good as ever and his ability to pen gorgeous songs founded in the best traditions of soul, jazz and Adult Pop has not deserted him. Lovers of quality soul / jazz vocals will be welcoming this with open arms."[34]

• "If I Had My Wish Tonight" [4]
• "It’s A Cryin Shame (Sha La La La La)" [36]
• "Teamwork" [37]

• Demos – (1981)
• Missin' Twenty Grand – (1982) [38]
• Raindance – (1984) [38]
• Soldiers on the Moon – (1990)[39][40][41]
• Back to Blue-Eyed Soul – Collected Works/1966-1999 (2000) [5]
• Expectations of Love – (2001)[42][43]
• Demos Volume 2 – Take a Look – (2005)
• Now And Again – (2006)

[4][44][45][46]

• "All the Things I Love" – Debra Laws on Very Special
• "Blue Side":
  • Crystal Gayle on Miss the Mississippi
  • Valerie Carter on Vanilla Grits
• "Change All of That" – Arnold McCuller on Exception to the Rule
• "Close Enough" – Dionne Warwick on Reservations for Two
• "Cold, Cold Streets" – Feargal Sharkey on Wish
• "Come What May" – Patti LaBelle on It's Alright With Me
• "Crazy Love":
  • Sheena Easton on My Cherie
  • Patti LaBelle on Burnin'
  • Luther Vandross on Your Secret Love
• "Dancin' on the Smooth Edge" – Whitney Houston on Exhale
• "Got You on My Mind" – Bonnie Raitt on Streetlights[47]
• "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again":[48][49]
  • Bonnie Raitt on Nick of Time
  • Tricia Tahara on Secrets
• "I Am Ready Now" – Jennifer Holliday on Feel My Soul
• "I Don't Go Shopping":
  • Peter Allen on Bi-Coastal
  • Patti LaBelle on It's Alright With Me
  • Patti LaBelle on Released
• "I Got a Groove On" – Peaches & Herb
• "I Wish That Love Would Last" – Dusty Springfield on Simply Dusty
• "Jojo" – Boz Scaggs on Middle Man
• "Lead Me On" – Maxine Nightingale on Lead Me On
• "Love Me Again":
  • Patti Austin on Body Language
  • Rita Coolidge on Love Me Again
• "Meant for You" – Debra Laws on Very Special
• "Naked Truth" – Leata Galloway on The Naked Truth
• "Nightline" – Randy Crawford on Nightline
• "Out of Pawn" – Tim Curry on Simplicity
• "Roll Me Through the Rushes" – Chaka Khan on Chaka
• "Scuse Me, While I Fall In Love” - Donna Washington [50]
• "Somebody's Angel" – Peter Allen on Bi-Coastal
• "Talk to Me" – Kiki Dee on Stay with Me
• "There's a Star for Everyone" – Aretha Franklin on Love All the Hurt Away
• "This Christmas, This Year" – The Jets on Christmas with the Jets
• "This Time" – Chaka Khan on The Woman I Am
• "You Bring Me Joy" – Anita Baker on Rapture[51]

• Stephen Bishop – Red Cab to Manhattan – (1980)
• Martin Briley – Dangerous Moments – (1984)
• Roy Buchanan:
  • You're Not Alone – (1978)
  • Guitar on Fire: The Atlantic Sessions — (1993)
• Jimmy Buffett – One Particular Harbour – (1983)
• Irene Cara – What a Feelin' – (1983)
• Valerie Carter:
  • Wild Child – (1978)
  • The Way It Is – (1996)
• Chic:
  • Chic – (1977)
  • C'est Chic – (1978)
  • Risqué – (1979)
• Sister Sledge – We Are Family – (1979)
• Rita Coolidge – Inside the Fire – (1984)
• Randy Crawford:
  • Nightline – (1983)
  • Don't Say It's Over – (1993)
• Culture Club – From Luxury to Heartache – (1986)
• Tim Curry – Fearless – (1979)
• Kiki Dee – Stay with Me – (1979)
• Neil Diamond – In My Lifetime – (1996)
• Michael Feinstein – Nobody But You – (1998)
• Aretha Franklin – Love All the Hurt Away – (1981)
• Cissy Houston – Cissy Houston – (1977)
• Julio Iglesias – Crazy – (1994)
• Garland Jeffreys:
  • Ghost Writer – (1977)
  • One Eyed Jack – (1978)
  • Matador & More... – (1992)
• Chaka Khan – Chaka – (1979)
• Leah Kunkel – I Run with Trouble – (1980)
• Melissa Manchester:
  • Melissa – (1975)
  • Emergency – (1983)
  • O Heaven (How You've Changed to Me) (single) – (1974)
• Kate Markowitz – Map of the World – (2003)
• Arnold McCuller:
  • Back To Front – (2002)
  • Circa 1990 – (2003)
• Michael McDonald – Take It to Heart – (1990)
• Jimmy McGriff – Red Beans [Groove Merchant] – (1977)
• Bette Midler:
  • Songs for the New Depression – (1976)
  • Some People's Lives – (1990)
  • For the Boys – (1991)
  • Experience the Divine – (1993)
  • 3 for One – (2000)
  • Bette – (2000)
• Teddy Pendergrass – Love Language – (1984)
• Pousette-Dart Band:
  • Pousette-Dart Band 3 – (1979)
  • Never Enough – (1980)
• Bonnie Raitt:
  • Streetlights – (1974)
  • Nick of Time – (1989)
  • Luck of the Draw – (1991)
  • Longing in Their Hearts – (1994)
• Linda Ronstadt – Living in the U.S.A. – (1978)
• Brenda Russell – Paris Rain – (2000)
• Carole Bayer Sager – Too – (1978)
• David Sanborn:
  • Hideaway – (1979)
  • Time Again – (2003)
• Boz Scaggs:
  • Middle Man – (1980)
  • Other Roads – (1988)
• Timothy B. Schmit:
  • Playin' It Cool – (1984)
  • Tell Me the Truth – (1990)
• Phoebe Snow – Rock Away – (1981)
• Ringo Starr:
  • Ringo's Rotogravure – (1976)
  • Ringo the 4th – (1977)
• James Taylor:
  • Flag – (1979)
  • Dad Loves His Work – (1981)
  • That's Why I'm Here – (1985)
  • Never Die Young – (1988)
  • New Moon Shine – (1991)
  • Live – (1993)
  • Hourglass – (1997)
  • Greatest Hits Volume 2 – (2000)
  • October Road – (2002)
  • Covers - (2008)
  • Other Covers - (2009)
  • Before This World – (2015)
• Luther Vandross:
  • Busy Body – (1983) [52]
  • Give Me the Reason – (1986)
  • Any Love – (1988)
  • Your Secret Love – (1996)
• Jennifer Warnes – Famous Blue Raincoat – (1987)[53]