Oliver Cheatham, best known for the 1983 dance hit “Get Down Saturday Night,” has died at age 65.
The Detroit-born Cheatham found more success over his career working in the UK than he did in the US. He began as the singer in a group called Sins of Satan, before landing a solo recording contract in the early 80s. He scored big in both countries with “Saturday Night,” working with fellow Detroiter Al Hudson. He continued to record over the remainder of the decade, landing on the charts with “SOS,” “Celebrate (Our Love)” and “Turn Out the Lights,” (a duet with Jocelyn Brown).
Cheatham spent much of the 90s working as a background singer for several artists, and released his final album, Stand for Love, in 2002. Cheatham’s success in the UK led him to later relocate there.
Cheatham’s signature hit, “Get Down Saturday Night,” continued to have a life for years after its release. It was included in the Grand Theft Auto video game and was sampled for Daft Punk’s song “Voyager.”
He will be missed.
Here is an interview with Oliver from November 2013:
Thanks to Gary V. of Disco, Soul, Gold for letting us know about this event.
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