Desi Castro

Description

Desi was born in Derby where his father; the reggae DJ – ‘Sir Castro’ first introduced him to the joy of music. Together with his four brothers, his sister and under the guidance of his parents they would compose, sing, dance for hours on end thinking they where the U.K. version of the Jackson 5, with himself as the Michael of the group, and how he relished in the role. His passion for music has never left him and those formative years have stood him in good stead, so much so that his career has enabled him to travel the world, and he has been fortunate enough to have worked alongside some of the worlds greatest recording artistes.

He was living in Sheffield working with the remnants of the group ‘ABC’ when he replied to an advert in ‘Smash Hits’ and was amazed to hear from ‘Paul Weller’ who invited him to record some of the songs that he had sent him. Whilst working in ‘The Respond studios’, Weller asked Desi if he would like to sing backing vocals with ‘The Style Council’ which lead to national TV appearances on the ‘The Tube’ & ‘The Switch’. The blue touch paper was well and truly lit and he soon found himself being head-hunted by the Sheffield group ‘Floy Joy’ who wanted him as their lead singer. He was then soon signed to ‘Virgin Records’ and co-wrote the album ‘Weak In The Presence Of Beauty’; later a top 10 hit for ‘Alison Moyet’. The album was produced by ‘Don Was’ of ‘Was Not Was’ in Detroit where Desi had the pleasure of working with the legendary; Aretha Franklin – The Four Tops – The Staple Singers. Before ‘Floy Joy’ had run it’s course, Don told him that there was a job for him in his band, and true to his word after the group disbanded he moved to L.A. and recorded the album ‘Wot Up Dog’ from which the hit single ‘Walk The Dinosaur’ came. With over 50 of his own songs written in his spare time, he came back to the U.K. to form the band ‘Everyday People’ who were soon signed to ‘EMI’. Back in the U.S.A. recording the album ”You Wash I’ll Dry’ which was produced by ‘Stuart Levine’ – producer of ‘Simply Red’.
He got to work with ‘Hugh Masekela’ and wrote songs with ‘Paul Riser’ and ‘Lamont Dozier’, ironically the same guys who 20 years earlier had been teaching ‘Michael Jackson’ his trade. Having completed the album, and on a promotional tour he travelled extensively throughout Europe and had 3 top 10 hits in Germany, playing to crowds of over 80 thousand supporting artistes such as; Lisa Stansfield – Will Downing – and The Brand New Heavies.

Nowadays you can see him performing his own songs and classic covers by; Nat King Cole, Bob Marley, Will Young at a variety of venues throughout the U.K. and beyond. A collection of 20 songs entitled ‘The Soul Sensation’ is always available and features songs by: George Michael, UB40, and also his ever popular acapella version of ‘Ben E Kings – Stand By me’.

His Repertoire includes:-