PEBBLES- MERCEDES BOY

Born Perri McKissack in Oakland, CA, on November 6, 1966, the singer got her start in the early '80s as a backup singer for percussionist/band leader Bill Summers and the funk outfit Con Funk Shun, helping co-pen one of the latter band's hits, "Body Lovers." By the end of the decade, however, McKissack was ready to go out on her own, going by the name Pebbles and signing a recording contract with MCA. Her self-titled 1988 debut album featured contributions from both Babyface and Michael Sembello (as well as renowned producer L.A. Reid, who Pebbles would eventually marry), and spawned a pair of Top Five hits, "Girlfriend" and "Mercedes Boy," pushing the album to platinum status.

PEBBLES- MERCEDES BOY