The Biography & Discography
Born 1947 in Brooklyn, New York. Robbie DUPREE (Robert DUPUIS) started his career as an acapella group singer whose repertoire was mainly '50/'60s R&B covers. Young DUPREE was into blues for a while, discovering the music of Muddy WATERS. At the same time, he was developing the style which he can call "his own" experiencing various bands. For a while he had a group with pre-CHIC, Nile RODGERS. It was during these formative years that he met his future producer-team, Peter BUNETTA & Rick CHUDACOFF.
Under their guidance, DUPREE moved to Los Angeles and recorded his Elektra debut, STEAL AWAY in 1980. Off this album, single Steal Away cracked US #6 and Hot Rod Hearts entered #15. We can note Robbie's long-time partnership with Bill LaBOUNTY. He was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 1981. The successful recording team got together once again for 1981 follow up, STREET CORNER HEROES. But after this album, DUPREE chose to give a break to his fast-moving recording artist lifestyle and moved back to NY. For the past few years, he has found a home in NY-suburb, Woodstock.
Robbie realizes that there has been a lot of water under the bridge. "Staying focused on a career for that amount of time is its own reward," he says. "You begin to understand that you can be in this business for a long time and still have fun."
In 1989, after eight years of hiatus, Robbie DUPREE made a comeback album, CARRIED AWAY containing the single This Is Life. In 1992, he was signed to Polystar (Japan). He recorded with his trustworthy musician friends, such as bassist Tony LEVIN, keyboardist Harvey JONES, guitarists John HALL, Nile RODGERS, and Jim WEIDER, drummers John ROBINSON and Jerry MAROTTA for the first album through Polystar.
In the summer of 1993, the first Polystar album, WALKING ON WATER was released in Japan, Europe and also in the U.S.A. It contained 2 Top 20 AC singles - the title track, Walking On Water, and Goodbye To L.A.
In 1995, Robbie opened another chapter in his career with SMOKE AND MIRRORS, an evocative rendering of his new original songs recorded with long time friends Tony LEVIN on bass, David SANCIOUS on keyboards, Jeff PEVAR on guitar and Steve GADD on drums. Robbie brought the musicians together for what he calls a "magical two day recording session." Says Robbie, "The performances were inspired. These incredible players created the perfect environment for these songs. It's truly a rare thing when all the elements fit so perfectly."
Robbie heads toward the millenium with more to show than his own 5 albums, having established quality credentials as a producer over the last few years. His credits includes ORLEANS Live, a 1990 concert recording, Bill LaBOUNTY's last released The Right Direction CD, as well as co-production on Artie TRAUM's #1 NAC album Letters From Joubee. Robbie produced 2 songs on South African talented singer/songwriter Debbie LAN's debut album Looking For The World, and was executive producer for Tony LEVIN's solo project World Diary.
Robbie DUPREE has the voice which sings to you sweetly on his records and live with his impressive band! He has the melody which touches your heart string. You can call it sophistication, or blue-eyed soul, or even just simply, Robbie DUPREE.
Robbie DUPREE Discography in solo (Title/Label/Year Of Release): Robbie Dupree Elektra/Warner Bros (1980) Street Corner Heroes Elektra/Warner Bros (1981) Carried Away Village Green Records Japan (1990) Walking On Water Polystar Japan (1993) Smoke And Mirrors Polystar Japan (1995) Vintage Robbie Dupree (1997 - EP 5 tracks - limited edition!) GRAB IT NOW!!!!!
RELEASED IN NOVEMBER 1998 in The States:
© 1994. Polystar Co., Ltd / © 1994. Golden Triangle Productions / © 1998. Prowest
Last Update: April 20, 1999.
