Gerald Levert was mourned by thousands yesterday, in a public memorial. The velvet voiced R & B entertainer passed away last week at the age of 40 yrs old. Mr. Levert had a heart attack in his sleep. Instead of having a mourning service, Gerald was sent off in a true homecoming celebration. Stevie Wonder and Eddie Levert, (Gerald's father and singer from the O'Jays), lead a joyous musical celebration. Leverts, singing partners in the group LSG, included Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill also paid tribute to the late singer, by singing "Casanova".
Many other notables in attendance included, journalist Ed Gordon, Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Angela Winbush and Judge Greg Mathis, who eulogized the singer.
I know the singer leaves behind a daughter, who was recently featured on MTV's "My Sweet Sixteen", and his brother & partner Sean, father Eddie Levert and many others.
This is another heartbreaking loss for those of us who love R & B and those in the entertainment industry. Sometimes it's too much for us to understand why someone so young would die. But now I know that he's having a joyful reunion with fellow crooners, Luther Vandross, Barry White and Curtis Mayfield.
