Complete List Of Switch Band Members

Feature Photo: John Siegenthaler, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

From a demo tape recorded in Columbus, Ohio, an R&B funk band emerged in the late 1970s that would capture the Motown sound through strategic vocal versatility and instrumental prowess. Switch was formed in Mansfield, Ohio in December 1976 by Gregory Williams, who recruited members from Grand Rapids, Michigan and Akron, Ohio. The band got its name from its ability to alternate between different lead vocalists and instruments during performances and recordings. After their demo caught the attention of Jermaine Jackson and Hazel Gordy Jackson, the daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., Switch was signed to the Gordy subsidiary of Motown Records within weeks.

Switch released five studio albums on the Gordy label between 1978 and 1981, with their self-titled debut album arriving in 1978. The album featured their first top 10 R&B single, “There’ll Never Be”,” which became their biggest mainstream success, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additional albums included Switch II in 1979, This Is My Dream and Reaching For Tomorrow in 1980, and Switch V in 1981. While the band maintained a consistent presence on R&B charts through the late 1970s with songs including “I Wanna Be Closer”,” “We Like to Party”,” “I Call Your Name”,” “Best Beat in Town”,” and “Love Over and Over Again,”” they did not achieve significant crossover success on the pop singles chart. Songs were written primarily by Gregory Williams, Bobby DeBarge, and Jody Sims, often in collaboration with Jermaine Jackson.

After members departed to pursue other endeavors, Switch evolved with new vocalists and musicians, signing with Total Experience Records in 1982 and recording a final album titled Am I Still Your Boyfriend? in 1984 before breaking up that year. The group reformed in 1985 with Gregory Williams and new members, though achieving limited commercial success. Switch has reunited multiple times in recent years, reuniting original members with new vocalists. Motown released a greatest hits compilation album in 1991, and the band remains represented through compilation releases on the 20th Century Masters series.

Gregory Williams

Gregory Williams founded Switch in December 1976 in Mansfield, Ohio, serving as the band’s leader, primary songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Williams originated from Akron, Ohio before relocating to form the band. He performed vocals, keyboards, and trumpet on all Switch recordings from their 1978 debut through the present day, contributing songwriting to the band’s major releases. During the original Gordy Records era from 1978 to 1981, Williams was instrumental in crafting the band’s sound across Switch, Switch II, This Is My Dream, Reaching For Tomorrow, and Switch V. He continued with the group through the 1982 recording of Am I Still Your Boyfriend? on Total Experience Records. Williams served as the sole original member to continue through every phase of the band’s existence, including the 1985 reformation and subsequent reunions. In recent years, he reunited the band with both original members and newer vocalists, maintaining Switch’s presence in contemporary music.

Eddie Fluellen

Eddie Fluellen joined Switch in 1977 as a founding member from Akron, Ohio, performing keyboards, trombone, and vocals. Fluellen was a key instrumentalist on the band’s original lineup and appeared on all five Gordy label albums released between 1978 and 1981, beginning with the self-titled Switch debut. He continued with the group through the 1982 sessions for Am I Still Your Boyfriend? on Total Experience Records, remaining with Switch until 1984. Beyond his work with Switch, Fluellen had an extensive career in funk and soul music, eventually serving as the musical director for the Stone City Band, a notable position that demonstrated his respected status within the R&B and funk community. Fluellen remained an original member involved in the band’s later reunion efforts. He passed away on April 14, 2025.

Phillip Ingram

Phillip Ingram joined Switch in 1976 as one of the original founding members, performing vocals, keyboards, and percussion. Ingram was an Akron, Ohio native and the brother of acclaimed R&B vocalist James Ingram. He performed on the band’s first five Gordy Records studio albums from 1978 through 1981, including Switch, Switch II, This Is My Dream, Reaching For Tomorrow, and Switch V. In 1981, Ingram departed Switch to pursue a solo career, establishing himself as an individual artist in the R&B and soul music genres. Decades later, he rejoined the reunited version of Switch in 2003, performing with the band in their contemporary reunion lineup that includes vocalist Akili Nickson and drummer Tefere Hazy. His return to the group marked a reconnection with his foundational work in the mid-to-late 1970s funk and soul scene.

Bobby DeBarge

Bobby DeBarge was recruited into Switch in 1977, serving as a vocalist and performing piano and keyboards in addition to drums. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, DeBarge contributed significantly to the band’s songwriting alongside Gregory Williams and Jody Sims, crafting several of the band’s most successful tracks. DeBarge appeared on Switch’s four studio albums released between 1978 and 1980, performing on Switch, Switch II, This Is My Dream, and Reaching For Tomorrow. He left Switch in 1981, shortly after which he and his brother Tommy DeBarge exited the group to mentor their younger siblings in the formation of the family group DeBarge, which would achieve greater mainstream success than Switch. Bobby DeBarge died on August 16, 1995 in Grand Rapids, Michigan from AIDS-related complications at the age of 39. His songwriting contributions to Switch remain part of the band’s legacy, and his family’s musical achievements through DeBarge represented one of the most successful offshoots of the original Switch lineup.

Tommy DeBarge

Tommy DeBarge co-founded Switch in 1976 alongside Gregory Williams and other original members, performing vocals and bass guitar. From Grand Rapids, Michigan, DeBarge was a fundamental part of the band’s classic lineup and appeared on all original Gordy Records albums released between 1978 and 1981, including Switch, Switch II, This Is My Dream, Reaching For Tomorrow, and Switch V. His bass guitar work and vocal contributions were central to the band’s sound throughout this period. In 1981, DeBarge departed from Switch to mentor his younger siblings in the formation of the group DeBarge, which became significantly more successful commercially than Switch. Tommy DeBarge passed away on October 21, 2021 at the age of 64, having maintained a presence in R&B and funk music circles through his various musical endeavors following his departure from Switch.

Jody Sims

Jody Sims joined Switch as a founding member in 1976, originally from Steubenville, Ohio, and performed vocals and drums. Sims was one of the primary songwriters for Switch alongside Gregory Williams and Bobby DeBarge, contributing to the band’s most recognizable tracks. He appeared on all five original Gordy Records studio albums from 1978 through 1981, performing on Switch, Switch II, This Is My Dream, Reaching For Tomorrow, and Switch V. Sims’s tenure with the band extended beyond the original Gordy era, as he remained with Switch through the transition to Total Experience Records, appearing on the 1984 album Am I Still Your Boyfriend? before the band’s initial breakup. His consistent presence across the band’s entire original run made him one of the most integral members of the classic Switch sound and songwriting team.

Michael McGloiry

Michael McGloiry served as an original session guitarist for Switch, joining the band in 1978 as they recorded their self-titled debut album on Gordy Records. McGloiry continued as the band’s guitarist through the subsequent Gordy releases, contributing to Switch II, This Is My Dream, Reaching For Tomorrow, and Switch V. His guitar work remained part of Switch’s instrumental foundation through the band’s run on the Gordy label. McGloiry has maintained his association with the band through contemporary years, reuniting with Switch in their recent reformation as part of the lineup featuring original members Gregory Williams and Eddie Fluellen alongside new vocalists. His longevity with the band spans from the original late 1970s sessions through the present day reunions, making him one of the few musicians connected to both the band’s classic era and its modern iterations.

Attala Giles

Attala Giles joined Switch in 1981, performing guitar, bass, and keyboards as the band transitioned beyond its original lineup. Giles appeared on the albums This Is My Dream, Reaching For Tomorrow, Switch V, and Am I Still Your Boyfriend?, serving as a versatile multi-instrumentalist during the band’s final years on Gordy Records and subsequent recording for Total Experience Records. He remained with the group through the 1984 breakup, having contributed to the band’s later period when personnel changes were occurring due to members departing for solo careers or other pursuits.

Renard Gallo

Renard Gallo joined Switch in 1982 as the band shifted toward a new configuration of vocalists and musicians. Gallo performed vocals and percussion on the 1984 album Am I Still Your Boyfriend?, which was recorded under the Total Experience Records label. He was part of the late-era Switch lineup that attempted to maintain the band’s presence before the initial breakup in 1984.

Gonzales Ozen

Gonzales Ozen became a member of Switch in 1982, performing vocals and percussion during the band’s final recording period. Ozen appeared on Am I Still Your Boyfriend? in 1984, contributing to the band’s last studio release before the initial disbandment. He was part of the restructured Switch lineup that emerged after original members had departed for individual careers and other projects.

Christopher Hawkins

Christopher Hawkins served as a lead vocalist for Switch during the 1985 reformation, performing with the group from 1985 through 1987. This version of Switch featured Gregory Williams alongside new members Anthony Watters on guitar and vocals, Howie Carbaugh on drums, and Charles Meyers on bass and vocals. The 1985 reformation represented an attempt to revive the band with a fresh lineup, though Hawkins and his fellow musicians achieved limited commercial traction during their tenure.

Anthony Watters

Anthony Watters was recruited for the 1985 reformation of Switch, performing guitar and vocals from 1985 through 1987. Watters was part of the group’s attempt to rebuild its presence in the mid-1980s alongside lead vocalist Christopher Hawkins, drummer Howie Carbaugh, and bassist Charles Meyers. Though this lineup did not achieve significant commercial success, Watters’s contributions represented the band’s effort to establish a new identity separate from its original 1970s roster.

Howie Carbaugh

Howie Carbaugh performed drums for Switch during the 1985 reformation period from 1985 through 1987. Carbaugh was part of the restructured lineup that included Gregory Williams, lead vocalist Christopher Hawkins, guitarist Anthony Watters, and bassist Charles Meyers. During this configuration, the band attempted to re-establish itself in contemporary music, though the revival achieved limited mainstream attention.

Charles Meyers

Charles Meyers served as the bass guitarist and backup vocalist for Switch’s 1985 reformation, remaining with the group from 1985 through 1987. Meyers was part of the new configuration that featured Gregory Williams, lead vocalist Christopher Hawkins, guitarist Anthony Watters, and drummer Howie Carbaugh. His tenure during this period represented the band’s effort to continue performing and recording after the initial breakup in 1984.

Akili Nickson

Akili Nickson emerged as the lead vocalist for the reunited version of Switch beginning in 2003. Nickson has performed with the band in its contemporary reunion lineup, which includes original founder Gregory Williams on vocals and keyboards, original members Eddie Fluellen on keyboards and trombone, and Phillip Ingram who rejoined the band after decades away. Nickson’s role as lead vocalist for the modern iteration of Switch represents the band’s ongoing efforts to maintain an active presence, blending new vocalists with original members from the classic era.

Tefere Hazy

Tefere Hazy serves as the drummer for the reunited Switch lineup beginning in 2003. Hazy has performed with the contemporary version of the band alongside original founder Gregory Williams, original members Eddie Fluellen and Phillip Ingram, and lead vocalist Akili Nickson. His role represents the band’s modern reunion configuration that bridges the classic original era with contemporary performances.

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