El DeBarge is mourning the passing of his brother, Tommy DeBarge, who transitioned to his heavenly home on Thursday (October 21).
Tommy, who was co-founder and bassist of the 1970s R&B band, Switch, passed away at 64.
The Motown Records band was best known for the hits “There’ll Never Be” and “I Wanna Be Closer.”
Earlier this year, Tommy survived a bout with COVID-19 and he also battled both kidney and liver disease.
El DeBarge took to social media to pay tribute to his brother writing:
And so it is that on October 21, 2021, I had to say farewell to one of the greatest bass guitarists this world has ever known, and I am grieved as I confirm to you that my brother, Thomas Keith DeBarge, passed away.
My dear brother Tommy finally made his transition after a lengthy illness. Tommy was a loving, gentle soul and a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and one of the best brothers anyone could ever ask for.
His legacy will live on in the hearts of all those who love him so much and in the beautiful music he created with our brother Bobby, as well as that of his musical peers in the famous R&B group Switch!
Both my brothers Bobby and Tommy DeBarge are together now safely in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ, though our hearts are still heavy as it will require some time to deal with the fact that he is gone and just missing him so much.
I want to say on behalf of the whole DeBarge family we really appreciate all your prayers especially for our mother, Etterlene DeBarge, whose faith in God’s heavenly promises is unwavering ????????????
See his original post below.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to the DeBarge family.
