Levert sang sexy R&B ballads

NEW YORK – Gerald Levert, the fiery singer of passionate R&B love songs and the son of O’Jays singer Eddie Levert, died Friday. He was 40.

His label, Atlantic Records, confirmed that Levert died at his home in Cleveland, Ohio.

“All of us at Atlantic are shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death. He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer,” the statement read.

Levert first gained fame back in 1986, as a member of the R&B trio LeVert. They quickly racked up hits like “(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind,” “Casanova,” and “Baby I’m Ready.”