Born: February 16, 1945
Birthplace: Little
Rock, Arkansas
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Leonard Charles Williams is an American singer-songwriter
and musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the soul/funk group Tower of
Power in the early 1970s.
Williams made several hit recordings as a solo artist,
including 1978's "Cause I Love You" and 1977's "Choosing You.”
After winning several local talent contests, Williams signed
his first recording contract with Fantasy Records. He cut two singles for the
label, including "Lisa's Gone" and "Feelin Blue,” written by John
Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
In 1972, Williams joined the emerging funk band Tower of
Power. A string of hits followed, including "So Very Hard to Go,”
"What Is Hip,” "Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of the Stream),"
and "Willing to Learn.”
Williams took part in three albums during his two years with
the group: Back to Oakland, Urban Renewal, and the gold LP Tower of Power.
Williams and Tower of Power toured throughout the United States, Europe, and
Asia.
While still with Tower of Power, he recorded his first solo
album, Pray for the Lion, for Warner Bros. Records in 1974.
At the end of 1975, Williams left the band and returned to
his solo projects. Initially signing with Motown Records in 1975, he moved to
ABC Records in 1977 (which was bought by MCA Records in 1979).
With producer Frank Wilson at the helm and songwriters such
as Judy Wieder, Clay Drayton, and Terry McFadden.
After leaving MCA, Williams recorded for the independent
record labels, Rockshire and Knobhill.
In 1986, he was invited to sing vocals on "Don't Make
Me Wait For Love,” a track from Duotones, a multi-platinum recording by Kenny
G. The song became a Top 20 Billboard Hot 100, and R&B hit the following
year.
His 1978 hit song "Cause I Love You" was sampled
by Havoc of Mobb Deep for the track "Nothing Like Home", and by Kanye
West for the songs "Overnight Celebrity" by Twista and "I Got A
Love" by Jin.
The track was sampled a fourth time in 2007 by Scarface for
his single "Girl You Know" featuring Trey Songz & Young Jeezy
sampled "Let's Talk It Over" for his single "I Do"
featuring Jay-Z and Andre 3000.
His song "Half Past Love" was also sampled by The
Coup for their 2006 single "My Favorite Mutiny" featuring Black
Thought of The Roots and Talib Kweli of Black Star.
Williams has continued his solo career, touring the US,
Europe, and South Africa.
Williams expanded his career to include acting, starring in stage
plays, including Love on Lay-Away starring Deborah Cox, Mel Jackson, and Martha
Wash.
He is also one of the featured artists on Urbanland Music's
DVD The Big Show, recorded at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, on
November 29, 2002.