by Ron Wynn
Perhaps the lone artist who got her start on The Gong Show and remained credible, Cheryl Lynn's searing, often captivating voice and great range were showcased on some marvelous dance hits in the late '70s and early '80s. She signed with Columbia in 1978, and her debut LP Cheryl Lynn featured the anthem "Got To Be Real," which topped the R&B charts and reached number 12 pop. The follow-up, "Star Love," was a Top 20 R&B hit, and Lynn kept things going with "Shake It Up Tonight" in 1981, another Top 10 R&B smash. She teamed brillantly with Luther Vandross for a remake of "If This World Were Mine" in 1982, yet another Top 10 hit, and then Lynn topped the R&B charts in 1983 with "Encore." She stayed on Columbia until 1987, then moved to Manhattan, where the 1987 single "If You Were Mine" made it to number 11. She also did background vocals with Lenny Williams.