Meet Bunny DeBarge’s Siblings.
Explore the diverse talents and stories of Bunny DeBarge’s siblings, from El and Bobby’s musical prowess to Chico’s solo success.
Delve into the lives of the DeBarge family, including their struggles and triumphs, and discover how each sibling has left a mark on the music industry.
At 67 years old, Bunny DeBarge holds the distinction of being the eldest and only female member of the acclaimed DeBarge group.
She is the daughter of Etterlene and Robert DeBarge.
Amongst her male contemporaries in the group, Bunny had to cultivate a competitive edge and resilient spirit to assert herself.
Bunny took on the role of lead vocalist for DeBarge’s R&B ballad “A Dream.”
Additionally, she co-wrote “I Like It” and their chart-topping hit, “Time Will Reveal.”
Her success as a songwriter was not incidental.
Behind the scenes, Bunny actively observed her brother Bobby and his band, Switch.
Observing their ascent to superstardom provided the inspiration she required to kick-start her own career.
She honed her songwriting abilities by crafting material for her brother’s group while sporadically lending her vocals.
Fun Fact:
Bunny penned an autobiography titled “The Kept Ones,” delving into her battles with substance abuse and her experiences with her father’s mistreatment.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bunny DeBarge |
| Date of Birth | March 15, 1955 |
| Age (as of June 29, 2022) | 67 |
| Place of Birth | Detroit, Michigan |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter |
| Known For | DeBarge |
Also Read: Learn about Harry Syles three siblings and their intriguing journeys
An infographic of Bunny DeBarge’s siblingsBunny DeBarge’s Siblings
Bobby DeBarge (March 5, 1956 – August 16, 1995)
- Age: 39
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer, Producer
- Known For: DeBarge, Switch
Bobby DeBarge, renowned as the lead vocalist of the Motown group Switch, was celebrated for his distinctive falsettos and musical prowess.
Switch produced hit tracks like “There’ll Never Be,” “I Call Your Name,” and “Love Over & Over Again.”
Bobby’s impact on those around him was evident within his own family.
He notably influenced the formation of the group DeBarge, featuring El, Bunny, Mark, and Randy.
While serving as a mentor and co-producer, he teamed up with his brother Chico to fill the void left by El and Bunny’s departure.
Continuing Bobby’s musical legacy is his son, also named Bobby DeBarge.
Fun Fact:
Bobby faced challenges in his later years, grappling with substance abuse and drug trafficking charges, which affected his music career and the trajectory of DeBarge.
Tragically, he passed away at the age of 39 due to complications from HIV/AIDS.
Bunny DeBarge’s Siblings: Tommy DeBarge (September 6, 1957 – October 21, 2021)
- Age: 64
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer
- Known For: Switch
Tommy DeBarge, a member of the R&B group Switch, showcased his talents as a bass guitarist.
Alongside his bandmates, he contributed to three Billboard Hot 100 hits during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
Tommy and Bobby played pivotal roles in guiding their aspiring younger siblings toward achieving similar success.
Tommy’s passing was attributed to health complications arising from liver and kidney failure.
Fun Fact:
Bunny paid tribute to her brother on Facebook, commemorating Tommy’s life with the words, “Tommy has gained his wings.”
Randy DeBarge (August 6, 1958 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 64
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer, Bass Guitarist
- Known For: DeBarge
Randy DeBarge co-founded the funk/soul group Switch with his brothers Bobby and Tommy when he was 17.
Their breakout hit, “I Like It,” in 1982 showcased Randy’s talents as a co-writer and vocalist.
Unfortunately, Randy faced challenges with substance abuse.
Although he achieved sobriety in the 1990s, it remains unclear if he continues to maintain it today.
Fun Fact:
Randy later joined the family ensemble DeBarge, contributing to their international success with chart-topping hits like “All This Love” and “Rhythm of the Night.”
Bunny DeBarge’s Siblings: Mark DeBarge (June 19, 1959 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 64
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter
- Known For: DeBarge
Mark DeBarge is a versatile musician, proficient in playing various instruments including drums, saxophone, trumpet, flute, and even the flugelhorn.
Notably, he penned the track “Stay With Me,” which gained recognition through covers by renowned artists such as Notorious B.I.G. and Mariah Carey.
Fun Fact:
DeBarge disbanded following drug trafficking charges against Bobby and Chico.
El DeBarge (June 4, 1961 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 62
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter
- Known For: DeBarge
El DeBarge emerged as the standout member of the family ensemble, rising to prominence as the lead vocalist in hits like “Stay With Me,” “All This Love,” and the iconic “Rhythm of the Night.”
His success extended beyond DeBarge, garnering him five Grammy Award nominations as a solo artist.
Collaborations with industry heavyweights like Babyface, Quincy Jones, and Al Green showcased his versatility.
El’s journey was marked by struggles with substance abuse, often attributed to the challenges of his upbringing in a dysfunctional household.
Fun Fact:
El DeBarge is a father to 11 biological children and has adopted one more.
James DeBarge (August 22, 1963 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 59
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer
- Known For: DeBarge
While not in the forefront like his brother El, James DeBarge has carved out his own niche in the spotlight, particularly due to his high-profile marriage to pop icon Janet Jackson.
The ’80s power couple’s union ended in 1985, with Janet annulling the marriage just a year after their wedding.
However, their relationship was marred by controversy, as revealed in a documentary about Janet Jackson, highlighting James’ struggles with drug abuse.
Fun Fact:
James is a father to three children – Kristina, James, and Tori.
Kristina gained recognition after appearing on the 2003 season of American Juniors and securing a recording contract with Island Def Jam Records.
Also Read: Who are Christopher Lloyd’s siblings? Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Them
Chico DeBarge (June 23, 1966 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 57
- Born: Detroit, Michigan
- Occupation: Singer
- Known For: DeBarge
Chico DeBarge demonstrated his solo prowess as a musician, temporarily branching out from the family legacy to release his self-titled album under Motown in 1986.
The album featured his hit track “Talk to Me,” which reached #21 on U.S. charts and peaked at #90 on the Billboard 200.
Proving he wasn’t a one-hit wonder, Chico’s solo career flourished with six charting albums following his debut success.
Fun Fact:
In 2003, Chico encountered a violent altercation during his tour for the Tyler Perry stage play “Why Did I Get Married?,” resulting in him being stabbed by Italian mafioso John Casasanto.
Darryl DeBarge (June 5, 1970 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 53
- Born: N/A
- Occupation: N/A
- Known For: DeBarge Family
Darryl DeBarge shares his birthday with his sister Carol “Peaches” DeBarge, making them both the youngest of the DeBarge siblings!
While it’s unclear who holds the title of the youngest, the age gap between them couldn’t be more than a few minutes.
Thus, we’ll reserve the top spot for the youngest daughter of Etterlene and Robert.
Information about Darryl is limited, but like his siblings, he has explored music, although he has never been part of the DeBarge family group.
Fun Fact:
You can find him performing a song called “Loving You” on YouTube under the alias Young DeBarge.
Carol DeBarge (June 5, 1970 – Present)
- Age (as of June 29, 2023): 53
- Born: N/A
- Occupation: Singer
- Known For: DeBarge Sibling
She holds the distinction of being the youngest DeBarge sibling!
Carol has pursued a career in singing, following in the footsteps of her family.
Fun Fact:
Carol, along with her mother Etterlene and sister Bunny, was part of a song titled “You Mean So Much to Me.”
