The Biography of Norwood Young

L.A. City Beat Magazine inducted him “The King of Hancock Park!” Norwood Young doesn’t just live up to this title, he thrives within its Hollywood socialite status. A longtime veteran of the entertainment business, he started singing at 6, the R&B singer signed his first record deal at 16 with various UK hit songs.  He got his first “big” break in America on the original television singing competition, “Star Search.” He later became owner of the extremely lucrative nightspot a’Club Collage’ in  Koln Germany, saw the world as a singer on both concert stages as one-time lead singer of the R&B/Jazz band Pieces of a Dream on its gold-selling single, “What Can I Do” and Broadway theatre stages. Norwood also played Jimmy “Thunder” Early in “Dreamgirls” off-Broadway and was a regular in the reality TV series “High Maintenance 90210” on the E!-Channel, also in America.

At the age of 16, Norwood attended Notre Dame High School (a catholic school) in Lawrenceville N.J. in the Unites States. He attended school with an upperclassman, American Star, by the name of Star Jones!  That same year, Norwood was offered a record deal with Philly World Records. He begged his father, (recently diseased) to allow him to transfer to the public school system. Because they offered a “work –study” program. This program allowed students with high academic levels to report to school each morning, and then be allowed to leave for the day, to “work, “study,” and train in their field. Norwood’s father, and then manager, allowed Norwood to attend the new school, Ewing High.  Each day he would catch the local train from New Jersey in route to Philly World Records in Philadelphia. This is where Norwood says “I know I paid my dues!” He spent the year recording under the name “Norwood B.” This was the period when it was hip for an artist lasts name to be an initial!  Norwood recorded his first dance single “You’re on the one, “You’re On The Money.” Norwood soon after signed his first album deal with major label, MCA/Magnolia records, where he recorded an album titled “I Can’t Let You Go!” This album garnered major critical acclaim and was quite successful in the UK. Songs like the remake of , “Time Be My Lover,”( a classic by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes) and “Shoulda Been US Together,” turned Norwood into a UK celebrity, and are considered R&B classics! This album toured Norwood all over Europe, Japan, and even Lima Peru where fans loved the music of “Norwood B.” 

When Norwood returned to the states, his father took him to an audition for the leading role of James Thunder Early in the off Broadway production of “Dreamgirls.” Norwood got the part!
Shortly thereafter, Norwood got the role opposite amazing singer D’atra Hicks as the “pony-tailed preacher” in  the off Broadway smash hit musical “Momma I want to Sing, Part.2”, next  Norwood landed a part in the chorus of Broadway’s, “Don’t Get God Started”. In this production, Norwood’s fellow chorus members were, Patricia Heaton of “Everybody Loves Raymond” fame, who is now also Norwood’s neighbor in Los Angeles. Also in the chorus was Grammy award winning gospel singer Donny Mcklurkin. The stars of the show were gospel legends, B.B. Winans and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. Soon after the show closed, Norwood received an offer to tour Germany, starring in a rock version of Bizet’s “Carmen.” While in Germany, Norwood “sat in” and performed at the very famous “China Club”. He was invited to stay for a few months, and performed nightly at the renowned “hot spot!”

Norwood loved Germany and the people so much, that he decided to open a nightclub of his own! “Club Collage.” This would prove to be a smart and lucrative investment for the young singer. The club was a success ,with standing room only ! However, after a year, Norwood could was unable to obtain a German visa, nor could he find a German sponsor who met the qualifications of obtaining a German concession, (liquor license) Therefore, Norwood was forced to close the club. He then decided to move to New York.
He received a phone call from a friend, Dwayne Alexander, an executive at EMI records. He informed Norwood that he was in need of someone to replace the lead singer for the legendary jazz group “Pieces of a Dream,” however, there was a catch! The album had to be completed in just nine days! Based on a formidable solo contract with EMI records, Norwood agreed, and became the lead singer of the group “Pieces of a Dream, featuring, Norwood”   They recorded the album “Bout Dat Time,” where Norwood received his first gold record for the hit “What Can I Do?” Norwood later went on to record “Young Man, Older Woman” with Grammy nominee Millie Jackson. The song became the premise of the touring musical of the same name.

Later that year, Norwood was offered a role teaming up again with up with his friend, D’atra Hicks, and starred in a musical called “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” The show closed in Los Angeles, where Norwood decided to make his home! He purchased a home in ritzy Hancock Park. Controversy plagued the historic home decorated with seventeen naked David Statues on his the front lawn. Norwood would spend the next seven years fighting for his freedom of expression as uptight neighbors tried to get him to get him to take the statues down or better yet move out!  Today the infamous Youngwood Court Estate is both a landmark and tourist attraction. During all the drama surrounding the house, Norwood recorded a song and directed a video called “Stand up For Something”, which visually and lyrically re-enacts the whole encounter! (See video page at www.norwoodyoung.com)

Norwood Young has just completed his long–awaited CD titled “Getting Back To My Me,” scheduled to release August 28, 2011 The team of producers and songwriters includeNorwood, and Adam Blackstone (Maroon 5, Kanye West) and features duets with the legendary Jenniffer Holliday, and soul music star Alyson Williams. Norwood’s music is sexy, sultry and intoxicating. Many compare his style and charisma to that of the late Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye.

In an additional venture, Norwood has penned a torrid autobiography also titled, “Getting Back to My Me: The Chronicles of Norwood Young” (self-published via Norwood Publishing, in-stores November 1, 2011), this humble yet ever-fabulous personality seeks to set the record straight about his twisted past with the hope of helping others speak up about their pain to ensure their healing.

From the outside peeping in, Norwood’s life looked to be the envy of all who aspire to grand days and erotic nights of style and sparkle. However, unbeknownst to the voyeurs, thick, choking coats of silver spoon-ladled varnish coated the inner core of Young’s life – a sick serial of forced childhood  sexual transgression, drug and alcohol abuse, loneliness, self-mutilation via multiple plastic surgeries…and shame. In his “Writing this book was such a cleansing and freeing experience,” Young states. “Revealing my truths forced me to not only hold others accountable for what they’d done to me, but to also hold my self accountable for my actions in order to move forward to garner the life I desired.”

With a heart for the less fortunate, in 2005 Norwood founded “Feed His People.” a non-profit organization to feed the hungry visit www.wefeedhispeople.org, The “Feed his People” anthem was recorded by Norwood and friend , American idol runner up, “Trynce, ” and is the final track on the “Just Norwood” CD.  Norwood has also appeared weekly on television, starring in E! Network Televisions new hit reality series “High Maintenance 90210” and is currently featured in Eyeworks networks reality show “Dutch Hollywood Wives,” in the Netherlands.