The Deele was formed in 1981 and originally comprised local Cincinnati musicians
drummer Antonio "L.A." Reid,
bassist Kevin "Kayo" Roberson,
vocalist/
percussionist Darnell "Dee" Bristol,
lead vocalist Carlos "Satin" Greene,
guitarist/
keyboardist Stanley "Stick" Burke, Reid, Roberson, and Walters had been members of a previous Cincinnati-based band,
Pure Essence. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, hailing from Indianapolis, would join later in 1981, and Walters left the band before they began recording their debut album,
Street Beat. The group would record three albums in total during the 1980s, scoring several
hit singles. and became a
top ten hit) for Reid's girlfriend, and eventual wife
Pebbles. During this period, they also wrote and produced
The Whispers' "
Rock Steady". At the beginning of the 1990s, Reid and Edmonds would become successful
record producers. to record the album,
An Invitation to Love. This album found the group adopting a more
new jack swing-based sound and incorporating rap into many of their songs. Failing to make a dent in the charts, the group broke up later that same year.
Reunion In March 2016, all members of the classic Deele lineup, including Babyface and L.A. Reid, reunited to perform at a
BET Honors event where Reid was recognized. This performance led to a more permanent reformation in the summer and plans to tour and record. == In popular culture ==