Breaking news of the Grammy winner's passing on her social media account, Debbie posts a heartfelt tribute as she tweets, 'We will forever speak his name.'
- January 30, 2019
AceShowbiz - Grammy-winning R&B singer James Ingram has died, aged 66.
The star's longtime friend and creative partner Debbie Allen broke the sad news via Twitter on Tuesday, January 29, insisting she was "blessed to have been so close" to him.
"I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir," the choreographer and actress tweeted. "He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity... We will forever speak his name."
I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir. He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name.â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/TDJfpbbJWa
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) January 29, 2019
Ingram was a 12-time Grammy nominee and two-time winner, picking up Best Male R&B Performance in 1981 for "One Hundred Ways", while his duet with Michael McDonald on "Yah Mo B There" was named Best R&B Performance/Duo or Group with Vocals in 1984.
He was also nominated for back-to-back Best Original Song Oscars for "The Day I Fall in Love" and "Look What Love Has Done" in 1993 and 1994, and he and Linda Ronstadt scored a hit with their "American Tail" theme "Somewhere Out There".
He also wrote Michael Jackson's classic "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", and songs recorded by the Pointer Sisters, George Benson and Shalamar, among others.
Reports suggest he died following a battle with brain cancer.
