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| Eddie Holman |
| Born in Norfolk, Virginia on June 3rd 1946. Eddie's love of music developed at an early age. Moving to Pennsylvania and eventually New York, Eddie studied music at schools in both states and by sixteen he was already an accomplished pianist and guitarist.
He had his first taste of recording in 1962 for a small local label. Leopard Records released a few singles of young Eddie and his developing falsetto voice. Obviously these went nowhere and so young Holman finished school and continued to perfect his singing style. In 1965 Eddie had the chance to record again when he was offered a contract with Cameo/Parkway Records, a label that was in it's decline at the time. This contract produced several minor hits "This Can't Be True," "I'm A Loser," "Never Let Me Go" and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love." But by 1968 Cameo/Parkway went under and Holman was hitless and without a contract. In 1968, he hooked up with Philadelphia producer Peter DeAngelis, best known for his work with teen idols Fabian and Frankie Avalon. His arrangements for Holman, however, rivaled Gamble-Huff's in quality, yielding some other minor R&B hits in 1969 and 1970 with "I Love You," "Don't Stop Now," and "Cathy Called," as well as an album in 1970. Most identified with his rich falsetto, Holman actually sang in a much more traditional vocal range on much of this material, some of the tracks were written by himself or his wife, Sheila. "I Love You," on ABC-Paramount Records, featured Holman's 1970 smash "Hey There Lonely Girl," with its creamy falsetto vocals and lush Philly soul arrangement, it's one of the most well-remembered one-shot soul hits. "Hey There Lonely Girl" was a remake of a song originally recorded by Ruby And The Romantics as "Hey There Lonely Boy." Holman changed the gender and took the song to number 2 on the U.S. charts in 1970 and four years later the song reached number 4 in the U.K. The album also had Eddie's breathtaking versions of the Skyliner's hit "Since I Don't Have You" and Tommy Edwards "It's All In The Game." Producer DeAngelis turned writer for two tracks "Cathy Called" and "Let Me In Your Life." The album also contained five Holman penned tunes. The 1994 reissue compact disc contains three previously non-album tracks. Despite having a huge hit, several singles released afterwards failed to find similar success. Within a short time Eddie was once again labeless. During the early to mid 1970's he was able to tour on oldies shows based off the success of that one hit. Around 1976 he crossed paths with fellow Philadelphian Norman Harris. Harris was enjoying success with the current disco sound, charting with Loleatta Holloway, First Choice and the Salsoul Orchestra to name a few. Norman was always impressed with Eddie's voice and through his connections was able to secure an album deal with the Cayre Brothers, owners of the fledgling Salsoul label. |
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| There was a 7-year gap between Eddie Holman's two hits. The time frame also shows the stylistic differences that can occur in a singer's career. 1977's "This Will Be A Night To Remember" album was released on Salsoul Records. It's one of those albums where you wish you had been at the recording sessions because it sounds like one helluva party. Eddie applies his stratospheric falsetto to the eight tracks aimed at the disco club scene. He's backed by a full complement of Philly's finest musicians and a star-studded backing crew that includes Phil Hurtt, Ron Tyson, Bruce Gray, Carl Helm, and Barbara Ingram. "This Will Be A Night To Remember" was a chugging, up-tempo number that was a huge club hit that made it into the R&B Top 25 in May 1977. The Tom Moulton 12" mix heard on the album was wide-sounding giving plenty of space for Holman's high tenor vocals. |
| The 12" single, written by Ron Tyson & Ron Baker, remains one of Holman's and disco's most electrifying moments. Tyson who sung with the Ethics, Love Committee, and has enjoyed a long tenure with the Temptations co-wrote the album's three other treats "You Make My Life Complete," "Immune To Love," and "Time Will Tell." Oddly enough there was no follow-up 12" single, though the album had several options. And even more mystifying is the utter disappearance of Eddie from Salsoul's roster by 1978.
Eddie next surface in 1985 with a gospel album, "United," for which Holman wrote the title track and the touching "Eternal Love." The release on New Cross records achieved minor success and cemented his stature in the gospel community. In 1989 Eddie joined up with Ian Levine for the well crafted "Whatever Happened To Our Melody Of Love" on Nightmare Records. Eddie and Ian recorded several tracks but none could match his earlier successes. Since those releases the illusive Holman seems to have once again disappeared from sight. Eddie earns his place in The DiscoMuseum for being the only two-time one-hit wonders of music, one hit for soul/R&B (1970) and one for disco (1977) and for one of disco's most raucous classics....thanks Eddie for giving us many nights to remember! |
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