Sherrick

He was born F Lamonte-Smith;[1] or Lamotte Smith[2][3] in 1957 in Sacramento, California, United States.

Sherrick was given his professional break by producer Raynoma Gordy Singleton (née Mayberry), former wife of Motown founder Berry Gordy.[2] Sherrick was the lead singer of the Motown group, Kagny, who recorded a song for the Motown movie, The Last Dragon.[2]

He signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1987, co-producing an album with Michael Stokes and with Ray Singleton as an executive producer. The album, titled Sherrick, included "Just Call" which reached number 8 in the US Billboard R&B chart. A version of the Originals' major hit of the late 1960s, "Baby I'm for Real" also charted, peaking at number 53. He also had two entries in the UK Singles Chart in 1987.[1] These were "Just Call" (number 23) and "Let's Be Lovers Tonight" (number 63).[1] In addition, his album, Sherrick reached number 27 in the UK Albums Chart the same year.[1]

Sherrick attended rehab sessions while finishing up the album Just Call (1987). He decided to do a promotional tour across the USA where his album and singles' success was limited, to garner interest. However, he went on 'cocaine-finding missions' in every city on the itinerary for the tour not having returned and missing subsequent engagements. It became clear that he had an issue with cocaine addiction after he eventually returned. He worked on what was to become his second album although its production ended prematurely after he took thousands of dollars in advance money. His second album was never completed causing Raynoma Gordy Singleton to absolve herself from further assistance in its production. It caused her to write a chapter in her book entitled The Untold Story: Berry, Me, and Motown. Sherrick disappeared from public eye a year later in 1988 and didn't re-appear until 11 years later in 1999.[4]

In 1999, he stated that he was "drug-free and working on new material". However his proposed comeback ended tragically, when he died in Los Angeles, California, on January 22, 1999, at the age of 41. He died of unknown causes. He is survived by his widow Lynne Conner-Smith and three children, Kiriandra, Paris and Chance Smith.[2]

In January 2021, Wendy Williams alleged Sherrick date raped her when she was a radio jock in Washington, D.C. The alleged rape occurred in 1988 after Williams went back to Sherrick's hotel room for a night of partying and drug use.

The event is depicted in her biopic Wendy Williams: The Movie. The character named as the rapist in the movie goes by the moniker of "Rick Tony" and is played by Nykeem Provo.[5]

• Album and Singles Discography at Discogs.