Debbie Gibson Biography

Deborah Ann Gibson, credited as Debbie Gibson (born August 31, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American singer-songwriter who was a teen idol in her youth. At 16 Gibson was the youngest person to write, produce, and perform a number 1 hit single with her song "Foolish Beat". She appeared repeatedly on the covers of teen magazines such as Tiger Beat.

Although she used the name "Debbie" in her teens, she has always preferred and now uses the name "Deborah" professionally.

Gibson has gone on to numerous starring roles on Broadway and musicals, as well as independent film and television work. She has written two musicals, and is working to launch them into production. She continues to record, and reached the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart during 2006 in a duet with Jordan Knight titled "Say Goodbye".

Gibson was born in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in the Long Island suburb of Merrick, New York.

At the age of five, she began performing in a community theater with sisters Karen (elder) and Denise (younger); Deborah also wrote her first song. When she was eight, Deborah sang at the children's chorus in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York; there she met Plácido Domingo and other such singers. When she was 12, Gibson was already performing in Broadway...but as an actress.

When Gibson turned 16, she was signed to a recording contract by Atlantic Records, and soon she had a # 1 hit, with her single Foolish Beat. Three other singles from her debut LP Out Of The Blue also cracked the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 100: Only in My Dreams, Out Of The Blue, and Shake Your Love.

By the time Out Of The Blue was established as a hit album, she and Tiffany, with her remake of I Think We're Alone Now, fought for the top position as teen queen of the United States. She also had considerable success in the UK, as well as Japan and southeast Asia, with stadium tours.

Gibson was the first to have a single "Lost In Your Eyes" and her second album "Electric Youth" chart # 1 simultaneously.

After her popularity as a pop singer waned, she returned to Broadway in 1992, playing Eponine in Les Misérables. She then went to London, where she played Sandra Dee in the West End production of Grease. The single of You're the One That I Want, co-sung with Craig McLachlan, from the Original Cast Recording reached #13 on the UK charts in 1993.

On returning to the States, she appeared in the Broadway version, but this time she played Rizzo. She played Fanny Brice in the Funny Girl touring production. She participated in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast (as Belle), and Gypsy at The Papermill Playhouse (as Gypsy Rose Lee). She participated in a national tour with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, where she played the part of The Narrator, and as Cinderella in the national tour of the play of the same name. In October 2002, she began work in the play Chicago in Boston. In 2003, she played Sally Bowles in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, alongside Neil Patrick Harris as The Emcee.

In 1995, she signed with EMI's SBK Records division and recorded what would be her only album for the label, Think With Your Heart. This album is an Adult Contemporary heavy album consisting of piano ballads and keyboard ballads. Only a pair Dance Pop songs, Dontcha Want Me Now and Too Fancy serve as the faster moments on the album. The album's producer, Niko Bolas (usually Neil Young's co-producer), was also producing the reunion album for veteran punk band The Circle Jerks, and invited Gibson to a recording session for that band's album. She subsequently ended up singing background vocals on the song I Wanna Destroy You as well as appearing at and participating in the Circle Jerks' performance at legendary punk venue CBGB's, wearing one of the band's t-shirts and sharing a microphone with frontman Keith Morris. Footage of this appearance has been uploaded to youtube.com.

After parting company with EMI, Gibson formed her own record label, Golden Egg Records, to release her original material. Her sixth album, Deborah, marked her full return to dance-pop albeit with a more mature approach. Deborah includes the lead single Only Words. Only Words (Dance Edit) became a Top 40 Hot Dance Music/Club Play hit. The album's other single is the ballad, Naturally. Deborah received rave reviews from fans and remains one of her most respected works.

In 2001, Deborah released her seventh album on her record label titled M.Y.O.B. It features the three singles, the sensual pop song, What You Want, the Latin infused Dance-pop song, Your Secret and the bass heavy M.Y.O.B. Highlights from the album include the sultry Latin favoured Smooth Jazz song, In Blue, her vintage style ballad, Wishing You Were Here, Jaded, and a remix of M.Y.O.B.

In 2005, Gibson co-wrote and recorded a song titled Someone You Love with the O'Neill Brothers. With the O'Neill Brothers, Gibson also released an updated, acoustic version of her former #1 hit Lost In Your Eyes.

Controversially for some of her fans who were more comfortable with her earlier wholesome image, the March 2005 issue of Playboy featured a nude pictorial with Gibson, the publication of which also coincided with the release of her single, naked.

In January 2006, she joined the cast of Skating with Celebrities on FOX, partnered with former Canadian World Champion figure skater Kurt Browning. She was voted out in the third episode.

Her popularity in this niche market is growing. She tours and has become a popular attraction at Gay Pride concerts. Her 2006 single, Say Goodbye, featuring dance-pop artist, Jordan Knight, has made a good impression on the Adult Contemporary and Hot AC radio stations, becoming the third-most added new single on the format during summer 2006. It debuted at # 35 on the AC chart in August, and has since climbed to # 24 Oct. 2006.

Out of the Blue (1987) (BB 200) #7 US, #26 UK