After 7 member Keith Mitchell has also paid a tribute to the 65-year-old, calling him the 'Soul' of their R&B group and praising his ability to produce a vocal melody that 'can never be erased or duplicated.'
- May 22, 2019
AceShowbiz - Babyface is mourning the loss of his brother Melvin Edmonds, who died at the age of 65 on Saturday, May 18.
R&B star Melvin rose to fame as a founding member of the group After 7, which formed in 1987, alongside his brother Kevon Edmonds and friend Keith Mitchell. The group scored a number of hits throughout the 1990s, including "Can't Stop" and "Ready or Not", which both reached the top spot of the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B chart.
Melvin exited the line-up of After 7 following the release of the group's third album "Reflections" in 1995 and, after his son Jason Edmonds joined in 2006, Melvin returned to the group, who then began to perform as a quartet.
While his cause of death has yet to be confirmed, the group confirmed news of the father-of-four's passing in a post on their official Facebook page on Monday.
"Melvin was, without any doubt, the 'Soul' of After 7," the post read. "His ability to 'signaturise' a vocal melody in Rhythm and Blues music produced a vocal sound that can never be erased or duplicated. ... Melvin's love for audiences and fans everywhere who supported our music is what drove him on stage and in life. He is and will be missed by my family, fans, and friends."
Melvin is survived by four children: Melvin, Jason, Chris and Courtney.
