Leslie Wilson obit

R.I.P. former New Birth and LTD lead singer Leslie Wilson

 

He was not on the list.

We are sad to report the passing of one of the truly great, often unheralded voices of 70s and 80s R&B, Leslie Wilson, best known for his work as the expressive lead singer of the classic group The New Birth, and later as a part of the post-Jeffrey Osborne version of L.T.D. His death was confirmed on the New Birth social media page.

Wilson and his brother Melvin (who died in 2023) were a key part of The New Birth’s biggest years following the creation of the group by R&B legend Harvey Fuqua out of the ashes of the instrumental group The Nite-Liters and the Detroit-based Love, Peace & Happiness. His raspy tenor voice quickly became a signature element for the group, taking charge on the group’s breakthrough cover of “I Can Understand It” (originally by Bobby Womack).

On subsequent recordings such as “Dream Merchant” and the group’s smash take on Skylark’s “Wild Flower,” Wilson showed his ability to wrap his voice around funk, soul and even pop-psychedelia with a deftness that few vocalists of that era could match. His delivery was soulful without excess, polished without losing edge—exactly the kind of voice that elevated New Birth from fine ensemble into much-loved institution.

As internal tension in The New Birth frayed the members’ relationships, Leslie Wilson departed the group in 1981 to accept a lead-vocal role with another respected outfit, L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness & Devotion), following the departure of Jeffrey Osborne. During his time with L.T.D. he helped deliver the album Love Magic, which featured the gruoup’s last major hit, “April Love,” and the incredible title cut – arguably one of the greatest vocal performances of the decade.

The Wilson brothers reunited with a resuscitated version of The New Birth (adding additional vocalists) in the 90s and occasionally toured for several years after that.

Though his highest-profile days were in the 1970s, Leslie Wilson’s impact goes well beyond the hits. His vocal performances were influential on a generation of soul singers, and his performances still resonate all these years later. May he rest in peace.