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Switch, Debarge, Motown and Me!
The autobiographical story of Switch, an R&B/funk band that found fame recording for the Gordy label of Motown in the late 1970s, releasing hit songs such as "There'll Never Be", "I Call Your Name", and "Love Over & Over Again". This book takes its readers on a musical journey following the quest of their dreams and all its details. The Switch story is an amazing shake-your head page turner that will fill eyes with tears, hearts with joy. Read along with the author and original member of this amazing band. There will never be a story like Switch, DeBarge, Motown &Me. Not ever!!
560 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2019
18 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 9, 2019
Great read
After watching the Switch UnSung series I was intrigued by their story and wanted to know more about them and after being unsuccessful with obtaining Tommy Debarge autobiography I stumbled upon this book and absolutely enjoyed the musical journey it took me as well it also gave insight on Bobby Debarge...after all that he went through my heart went out to him I absolutely recommend this book to everyone
After watching the Switch UnSung series I was intrigued by their story and wanted to know more about them and after being unsuccessful with obtaining Tommy Debarge autobiography I stumbled upon this book and absolutely enjoyed the musical journey it took me as well it also gave insight on Bobby Debarge...after all that he went through my heart went out to him I absolutely recommend this book to everyone
February 10, 2021
3⭐️s for 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐃𝐞𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞, 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 & 𝐌𝐞 by Gregory Williams.
⠀
I am a diehard supporter of the R&B groups 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 and 𝘋𝘦𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦. So when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I assumed it would be about both groups. However, that wasn’t the case. This book is not about the R&B group 𝘋𝘦𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦. Instead, it is about DeBarge as a family, with the main focus on the two eldest brothers Bobby and Tommy, who were members of the chart topping 70s group 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩.
⠀
Let me start by saying at 547 pages, this book moved way too slow for me. There were far too many details. Because the pace was so slow, I found myself getting a little bored at times. Therefore, I wanted the author to get straight to the 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩/DeBarge parts of his story. He did introduce the DeBarge family early on in the book. However, he didn’t get to the 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 part of the story until after page 300.
⠀
The common theme throughout the book is disloyalty. Gregory puts everyone that ever did him dirty on full blast! He took no prisoners. Everyone that took advantage of him during his career, got a shoutout in this book😂. He told how Motown, robbed him by never paying him any royalties. To this day Gregory has never received a dime of royalties from Motown. Even though he founded the group Switch, wrote most of their songs, played in the band, and sang and produced their albums.
⠀
But wait, it doesn’t end there, Gregory goes into great detail about how he was taken advantage of by, Berry Gordy, Jermaine Jackson, Hazel Gordy and Barry White, as well as others in the entertainment industry.
⠀
The person he shares the most about is Bobby DeBarge. Gregory writes about his relationship with Bobby from beginning to end. In my opinion Gregory shares more about Bobby than he really should have. He told things about Bobby that he didn’t even share about himself.
⠀
Overall, this memoir isn’t consistently good enough for me to give it anything more than 3⭐️s. It could also use a good edit🤦🏽♀️. There were many errors in the book.
⠀
With that said, if you are a fan of Switch, you may still want to add this book to your library. Although I only give it 3⭐️s, as a Switch supporter, I’m glad I read it.
⠀
I am a diehard supporter of the R&B groups 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 and 𝘋𝘦𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦. So when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I assumed it would be about both groups. However, that wasn’t the case. This book is not about the R&B group 𝘋𝘦𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦. Instead, it is about DeBarge as a family, with the main focus on the two eldest brothers Bobby and Tommy, who were members of the chart topping 70s group 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩.
⠀
Let me start by saying at 547 pages, this book moved way too slow for me. There were far too many details. Because the pace was so slow, I found myself getting a little bored at times. Therefore, I wanted the author to get straight to the 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩/DeBarge parts of his story. He did introduce the DeBarge family early on in the book. However, he didn’t get to the 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 part of the story until after page 300.
⠀
The common theme throughout the book is disloyalty. Gregory puts everyone that ever did him dirty on full blast! He took no prisoners. Everyone that took advantage of him during his career, got a shoutout in this book😂. He told how Motown, robbed him by never paying him any royalties. To this day Gregory has never received a dime of royalties from Motown. Even though he founded the group Switch, wrote most of their songs, played in the band, and sang and produced their albums.
⠀
But wait, it doesn’t end there, Gregory goes into great detail about how he was taken advantage of by, Berry Gordy, Jermaine Jackson, Hazel Gordy and Barry White, as well as others in the entertainment industry.
⠀
The person he shares the most about is Bobby DeBarge. Gregory writes about his relationship with Bobby from beginning to end. In my opinion Gregory shares more about Bobby than he really should have. He told things about Bobby that he didn’t even share about himself.
⠀
Overall, this memoir isn’t consistently good enough for me to give it anything more than 3⭐️s. It could also use a good edit🤦🏽♀️. There were many errors in the book.
⠀
With that said, if you are a fan of Switch, you may still want to add this book to your library. Although I only give it 3⭐️s, as a Switch supporter, I’m glad I read it.
August 13, 2020
It’s a great musical biography. It’s the kind that I like. It begins in early childhood and takes you on his journey into the teen years and adulthood. It provides a good mix of music and personal and holds nothing back even his own flaws. For me it clears up some questions and confusion that circulated for years. Was Switch an Ohio band or a Michigan band? What was the relationship with DeBarge? What role did Jermaine Jackson play in their career? It also gave me some backstage info on relationships with other bands and musicians which is always fun to read. There are some contradictions. He mentions having an associates degree. He left college to pursue his musical dream but never mentioned going back. He talked about being against drugs but each chapter he is moving on to a harder drug. The worst part of the book is the editing. It reads like a first draft. There are typos, misspellings, misplaced periods and comas throughout the book. Even worse, some paragraphs are repeated 2 or 3 pages later which is confusing. It had me thinking I had loss my place several times in the book. Other chapters details are filled in about characters who were never introduced. Those is all poor editing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2023
I loved this book. I had the opportunity to interview Greg Williams when I had a music blog site called Metronome Theory back in 2017 I did a live version of my blog as a radio program it was one of the best times of my life. I had a cohost at the time who was really trying to kill my show but that’s another story. I really enjoyed the time I had meeting the artists and interviewing them people I had admired for years. This book gives details of Mr Williams journey through life and music and those who joined him on his journey. I recommend this book to any Switch fan.
July 29, 2019
I felt as though I was really living through the pages of this story. Our magazine, Right On!, covered Switch and DeBarge throughout the 70's and beyond, so it was great to get to find out what the group members were really like. We got a taste through TV One's Unsung: Switch, but this book has more details. Written by founder, Gregory Williams, this must-read is jaw-dropping. If you watched TV One's "The Bobby DeBarge Story," then you need to read this book.
July 18, 2023
I Wish Anyone That Wants Fame Reads This
This book is a reminder no matter how talented or gifted someone is if we do not do the work to heal it can end up being an easier push into dissension I applaud Gregory Williams for always staying true to himself and pushing beyond the odds but I am so sorry the DeBarge Family never saw the fullness of their abilities realized. Fame is a drug for many which is why it is vital for you to remain balanced at all times
This book is a reminder no matter how talented or gifted someone is if we do not do the work to heal it can end up being an easier push into dissension I applaud Gregory Williams for always staying true to himself and pushing beyond the odds but I am so sorry the DeBarge Family never saw the fullness of their abilities realized. Fame is a drug for many which is why it is vital for you to remain balanced at all times
August 18, 2019
Good read
I enjoyed the book and the insight of the Motown music business. I always have a love for the music of Switch.
I enjoyed the book and the insight of the Motown music business. I always have a love for the music of Switch.
January 2, 2021
This book is an excellent read! .
Very insightful, informative and exciting! This gentleman actually discovered the super talented but troubled DeBarge clan. What a claim to fame!
Very insightful, informative and exciting! This gentleman actually discovered the super talented but troubled DeBarge clan. What a claim to fame!
May 25, 2021
If you a fan Debarge read this . it tell alot from them start singing and the end of the no group. I grow up with their music. I laugh, cry alot and said Wow. So yea a very good book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews