Larry Blackmon

Larry Blackmon
Born
Laurence Ernest Blackmon

(1951-05-29) May 29, 1951 (age 75)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • arranger
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • bass guitar
  • drums
  • percussion
Years active1971–present
Labels
Member ofCameo

Larry Ernest Blackmon (born May 29, 1951) is an American vocalist and musician, known as the lead singer, founder and frontman of the funk and R&B band Cameo.

Early life and career

Born in New York City, on May 29, 1951, Blackmon is the son of former boxer / longtime boxing trainer, Lee Black.

Starting the band "East Coast", Blackmon formed the "New York City Players" as a complement to the Ohio Players. Having to rename the group because of a conflict, Blackmon later called the group Cameo. Blackmon lived in Harlem and played drums on several hits for the band Black Ivory. Along with his unique vocal style, Blackmon's other personal touches included sporting an elaborate hi-top fade haircut and a codpiece over his pants. His signature "Ow!" was used as the intro for some of the band's songs. The group Cameo appeared at Adventureland Palace, sponsored by Black Pride Inc., on April 26, 1978. Blackmon founded Atlanta-based funk quartet CA$HFLOW, which had a hit with "Mine All Mine" in 1986.

Guest appearances

Blackmon appeared as a backing vocalist on Ry Cooder's 1987 album Get Rhythm and Cyndi Lauper's 1989 album A Night to Remember. He also had co-producer credits on Eddie Murphy's 1989 album So Happy. The snare drum sound that Blackmon created for "Word Up!" and "Candy" was duplicated on releases by a wide range of artists.

Personal life

One of Blackmon's sons, Larry Scott Blackmon, is heavily involved in New York politics, becoming a social activist and once running for the New York City Council.

On March 18, 2024, a personal note from Blackmon was posted on Cameo's official Facebook page, apologizing to fans in Palm Springs, California for his last-minute, medically mandated no-show at the previous night's concert.

Until the last possible minute, I tried to make it, but I am human, and due to a medical issue, I just simply was not able to be there with you. [...] I am pleased that we did not cancel the show, and [...] I thank our Cameo band members, many of whom who travelled a great distance to deliver the Cameo funk. I am well and I send everyone my sincerest apologies. The funk is here to stay and I hope to see you again very soon.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Among Black's more notable trainees are Trevor Berbick, Saoul Mamby, Clyde Gray, Ismael Laguna, Livingstone Bramble, Donovan Boucher, José "King" Roman. and–in collaboration with Richie Giachetti–heavyweight champion Larry Holmes

References

  1. ↑ Tee, Ralph (1992). Soul Music : Who's Who. Rocklin, CA : Prima Publishing. p. 23. LCCN 92-23109. "Born in New York, Larry Blackmon developed an interest in music as a child. Every Sunday after church he attended shows at The Apollo Theatre in Harlem where he was inspired by artists including James Brown, Otis Redding and The Temptations. He began his formal music training at junior high school, and later put together a succession of groups including The Mighty Gees, Concrete Wall, East Coast and The New York City Players. The name of the latter proved cumbersome, so he changed it to Cameo. "
  2. ↑ People Magazine (2000). People Entertainment Almanac. Time Inc. Home Entertainment. p. 600. ISBN 1929049072. "May 29: Annette Bening; Larry Blackmon; Gary Brooker"
  3. ↑ "This Week's Star Guide to Birthdays: Gemini (May 29-June 4) – Larry Blackmon; Latoya Jackson". Jet. June 4, 1981. p. 46. Retrieved August 14, 2026. "Jet celebrities with birthdays during this time period include: Larry Blackmon of Cameo and singer LaToya Jackson, both on May 29; actor Cleavon Little on June 1; actress Joan Pringle and Johnny Carter of the Dells, both on June 2; entertainer Josephine Baker (1906-1975), singer/musician Curtis Mayfield and singer Deniece Williams, all on June 4." See also:
    • "This Week's Star Guide to Birthdays: Gemini (May 23-29)". Jet. May 29, 1980. "Among the Jet celebrities with birthdays in this period are : sexy songstress Patti LaBelle on May 24; musician/bandleader Miles Davis and Heatwave member Calvin Duke, both on May 25; award-winning singer Gladys Knight and Sweet Inspirations member Myrna Smith, both on May 28; and Cameo member Larry Blackmon of Cameo, May 29."
    • "Celebrating Birthdays". Jet. June 1, 1987. p. 54. "legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, actor Todd Bridges and songstress-actressLeslie Uggams, May 25; TV star Phillip Michael Thomas, May 26; jazz musician Ramsey Lewis and Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr., May 27; soul singer, Gladys Knight, May 28; Rebbie Jackson and LaToya Jackson of the Jackson musical family, and singer Larry Blackmon, May 29."
  4. ↑ McAuliffe, Kim (September 28, 1979). "'Dump disco!' is natural cry, says Cameo". Detroit Free Press. p. 5B. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. 'Disco is the new rock 'n' roll,' said the 28-year-old Blackmon in a recent telephone interview. 'When rock became popular, there were a lot of movements proclaiming, 'Down with rock 'n' roll.' I guess with any change, you have those who want to hold on to something. But you either go with the change, or it will make you change. Disco is a long way from dying.'
  5. ↑ Hannigan, Dave (2016). Drama in the Bahamas: Muhammad Ali's Last Fight. New York: Sports Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-61321-898-3. "I didn't know Don was down here until Cornelius told me Saturday night,' said Berbick's trainer, Lee Black. 'Don had some papers he had to give me for the Saoul Mamby fight in Nigeria."
  6. ↑ Lio, Augie (September 6, 1981). "Experts can't seem to agree". The Herald-News. p. D-2. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. THE ORIGINAL intent of this column was to try and give the readers an idea on the outcome of the Leonard-Hearns fight which is Augie Lio being promoted by Totowa's Dan Duva in Las Vegas. [...] Lee Black, trainer for Saoul Mamby, WBC junior welterweight champion, picks Leonard. Black gives Leonard a slight edge saying, 'Sugar may be able to tease and be too cute, upsetting Hearns' concentration.'
  7. 1 2 Buffery, Steve (March 23, 1988). "Irve Slams His Own Undercard". The Toronto Sun. p. 99. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Toronto chicken king Irv Ungerman is upset with the quality of the undercard for Friday night's Shawn O'Sullivan-Donovan Boucher fight — and he's the co-promoter. [...] Meanwhile, he says he will be bringing a secret weapon into Boucher's corner for the bout — long-time trainer Lee Black. "I've had him before. [...] I had him as far back as Clyde Gray. He worked with me in the Fiji Islands.
  8. ↑ Associated Press (September 9, 1971). "Ismael Won't Meet Writers". The Spokesman-Review. p. 27. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Cain Young, Laguna's manager, would give no reason why the fighter would not attend the news conference but trainer Lee Black said, 'He'll do his talking in the ring Monday night.'
  9. ↑ Smith, Elmer (February 17, 1986). "Bramble Gives Camacho Reason for Thought". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 82. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Bramble said he knew he could hit Crawley with overhand rights because he had stayed up most of the night reviewing tapes of the only other loss on Crawley's 19-2 record, a 10-round decision by Melvin Paul. 'But my trainer (Lee Black) told me not to go right-hand crazy,' he explained.
  10. ↑ Hanna, Bob (January 17, 1967). "'Ali Shuffle' Boon to Roman; Do as Clay Does and Succeed". The Evening Gazette. p. B5. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Unbeaten José 'King' Roman, promising young Puerto Rican light heavyweight, has set his sights on a world boxing championship and has taken a page from Cassius Clay's script to help him along. [...] He began working on the shuffle about a month ago. 'My trainer (Lee Black) showed it to me,' grinned Roman, who is somewhat of a showboat, but a likeable one.
  11. ↑ Matthews, Wallace (May 11, 1990). "A Tyson Mistake?". Newsday (Suffolk Edition). p. 147. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. 'About two weeks before the Tyson fight, I lost all desire to fight because of all the [confusion],' Holmes said. 'I just went in for the payday. Even during the fight, I had to cuss Richie out because instead of working with me, he was arguing with [co-trainer] Lee Black.
  12. ↑ Williams, Jean (August 9, 1980). "Counterpoint: Savoy Tees Sheets by Gospel Acts". Billboard. p. 16. ProQuest 1286384185. Larry Blackmon, lead singer with the group Cameo, has purchased the contract of Sanford Ricks, a young welterweight fighter from East Orange, NJ. Brickman's father, Lee Black, is a boxing trainer who happens to train Ricks, reportedly the number one ranked East Coast junior welterweight. Black is said to have urged his son to become a professional fighter, but Blackmon opted to pursue a career as a singer. 'Fighting and music are both forms of entertainment,' says Blackmon.
  13. ↑ "Blackmon gets fighter's contract". The Skanner. August 6, 1980. p. 10. ProQuest 370544703. After forming his own band and selling more than two million records, Larry Blackmon of Cameo has finally done something to make his old man happy. Larry's father is Lee Black, boxing trainer. His long-time dream of going into business with his son was delayed by Larry's success as a music producer and performer. But with the appearance of a young boxer named Sanford Ricks Lee's dream was realized and father and son are now co-managing the fighter's career. [...] Photo (BLACKMON GETS RICKS CONTRACT-- Chocolate City/Casablanca recording artist, Larry Blackmon, recently purchased the contract of number one ranked East Coast junior welter weight, Sanford Ricks. Ricks will be trained by Blackmon's father, Lee Black. The young contender is pictured here working out to get into champion shape. Left to right: Lee Black (holding the sand position), and Cameo's leader, Larry Blackmon, anxiously looking on.
  14. ↑ Canadian Press (September 29, 1944). "'Dump disco!' is natural cry, says Cameo". Detroit Free Press. p. 13. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Phil Palmer, Vancouver, B.C., won a technical knockout over Lee Black, New York, when Black failed answer the bell for the third round of a scheduled six-round boxing bout Thursday night. Palmer weighed 140, Black 145.
  15. ↑ Allmusic biography
  16. ↑ "Remember 'Cameo's lead singer Larry Blackmon? His son looks like him but chose different career". Amo Mama. June 28, 2018.
  17. ↑ Cameo (March 18, 2024) "A note from Larry Blackmon". Facebook. Retrieved August 13, 2026.