R&B Legend Gerald Levert Dies

Gerald Levert died of an apparent heart attack in his sleep in his Newbury home on Friday. The R&B singer was 40 years old. Levert, the son of the O'Jays' Eddie Levert, broke through in the mid-'80s with LeVert, a trio that also included his brother Sean. Over the next 15-plus years, Levert had eight No. 1 hits -- including "Casanova" and "Thinkin' 'Bout It" -- on the R&B charts. Levert was also a member of the supergroup LSG, which included Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, and recorded several chart-toppers with his dad. Levert's most recent CD -- 2004's Do I Speak for the World -- was a socially conscious concept album that recalled Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield's work in the '70s. He will be missed. -- Michael Gallucci