Ralph Tavares
Ralph Edward Vierra Tavares (December 10, 1941 – December 8, 2021) was an American singer, and the oldest Tavares brother.
Biography
[edit]In 1973, Ralph's family group consisting of his younger brothers (Pooch, Chubby, Butch, and Tiny[1]) changed their name to Tavares. The oldest Tavares brother to sing in the group, he was also the only brother who was not known by a nickname. The group won one Grammy award and charted at the top in the US four times.[2][3] Ralph had fought in the Vietnam War for a few years in the 60s, serving in Fort Campbell in Kentucky, but did not re–enlist,[4] and rejoined the group a few years before fame.[5]
Ralph left the group in 1984 (the first brother to leave), retired from singing, and spent more than thirty years working as a court officer in Massachusetts, retiring in 2015.[1][6][7] Just before retiring, he worked in the courtroom for the 2015 murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.[8] Ralph returned to Tavares in 2014, thirty years after leaving, and was original Tavares lineup was complete.[9][10] He eventually returned full time after Pooch suffered a stroke and retired.[11]
On December 8, 2021, two days before his 80th birthday, Tavares passed away.[1][8] He was survived by his wife of fifty four years,[4] Karen and four children.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Roy, Linda. "New Bedford native Ralph Tavares of musical group Tavares dies at 79". New Bedford Standard-Times. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ "Tavares - Awards : AllMusic". web.archive.org. 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ "Ralph Tavares | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ a b "Ralph Tavares, Obituary - South Dartmouth, MA". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ a b "Elder brother of Tavares group remembered – The Bay State Banner". baystatebanner.com. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Friedlander, Matt. "Ralph Tavares of the popular 1970s R&B/disco group Tavares dies at age 79". Wisconsin's Big Cheese 107.9. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ NEWS, NBC 10 (2021-12-08). "Ralph Tavares of New Bedford R&B group passes away". WJAR. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Press, Associated (2021-12-10). "Ralph Tavares, Eldest Brother of R&B Quintet Tavares, Dies at 79". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Life, Northern (2016-08-10). "Exclusive interview Ralph Tavares - Soul Survivors • Northern Life". Northern Life Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ DEVITT, PHIL. "For Tavares, a reunion 30 years in the making". New Bedford Standard-Times. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Spillane, Jack (2021-12-10). "Ralph Tavares and his brothers always made New Bedford proud". The New Bedford Light. Retrieved 2024-12-21.