Caron Melina Wheeler (born 19 January 1963) is a British singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the founding members of Brown Sugar. She was also one of the founding members of the female backing vocalist group Afrodiziak. She officially rose to fame in the late 1980s as the lead singer of R&B group Soul II Soul. Managed by her bandmate, Jazzie B, the group became one of London's best-selling groups in the 1990s. Their debut album, Club Classics Vol. One (1989), which established them as a global success worldwide, earned two Grammy Awards and featured the UK and Billboard number-one singles "Keep Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)".
Following her exit from the group in 1990, she released her debut solo album, UK Blak (1990), which contained hits "Livin' in the Light", "UK Blak", and "Don't Quit". She continued her solo career with the release of her second album, Beach of the War Goddess (1993). Wheeler reunited with Soul II Soul in 1994, but left in 1995 due to creative differences. Throughout her career, she has performed on and off with Soul II Soul but officially rejoined them in 2013.
Described as a pioneer of the British soul scene, her musical repertoire is often characterized by themes of love, relationships, and empowerment, as well as black history. Her dynamic on-stage performances have led many critics to consider her one of the most effective singers in popular music. Throughout a career spanning 40 years, she has sold over 6 million records collectively as a solo artist and as a member of Soul II Soul. In June 2012, Wheeler was honoured with the Heritage Award from Performing Right Society along with the members of Soul II Soul.
Career
1976–1983: Brown Sugar
thumb|250px|left|Carol Simms, Caron Wheeler, Pauline Catlin
Wheeler was born in England to Jamaican parents, and raised briefly in Jamaica. When Caron was in high school, she and childhood friend Pauline Catlin began performing together for fun. Inspired by female groups The Shirelles and The Ronettes whom they hoped to emulate, they began performing together professionally. In 1976, Wheeler and Catlin eventually entered and won a singing competition at the Bali Hai nightclub in London. Catlin and Wheeler later added Carol Simms and the women began performing as Brown Sugar.
In 1977, Brown Sugar released their major label debut song "I'm in Love with a Dreadlocks". The song was a massive hit with sound system owners and reggae lovers and went on to reach the top spot in the British reggae charts. The duo only performed as session vocalists for other singers, most notably for Elvis Costello on his album Punch the Clock in 1983. Afrodiziak later toured as backing vocalists for Elvis Costello during his UK tour in 1983. After the tour, they became a group by adding singer Naomi Thompson. The group would go on to contribute background vocals for many artists including Heaven 17, Special AKA, Howard Jones, Japan, Aswad, Sam Brown, and Julia Fordham. The duo also backed The Jam on their last ever TV performance on The Tube in 1982. In 1988, Wheeler withdrew from the group. The album's lead single, "Livin' in the Light", became Caron's first number-one single as a solo artist in the US. The album also featured the singles "UK Blak", "Blue (Is the Colour of Pain)", and "Don't Quit", which also charted on UK singles chart.
In 1992, Wheeler returned to the studio and began recording her second album.
In 1995, Wheeler recorded "Just the Two of Us" as a duet with Japanese singer Toshinobu Kubota for his album Sunshine, Moonlight. The song peaked at number 30 on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart. In 1996, a remix of "Keep Movin'" was released and charted at number 31 on the UK singles chart.
1997–2004: Music production
In 1997, Wheeler provided guest vocals on the song "You're Mine" for Eric Gadd's album The Right Way.
In 2013, Wheeler officially returned to Soul II Soul and began touring again with the group as the lead vocalist. During her interview with Jools Holland, Wheeler stated that she would be recording new music with Soul II Soul.
In 2016, Soul II Soul released a single "A New Day", featuring Louie Vega, which is credited to Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B. In 2017, Wheeler made an appearance on her former Soul II Soul colleague Simon Law's album Look to the Sky on the lead single "Morning Love".
Wheeler was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to music.
Personal life
Wheeler attended Kingsdale Foundation School in south London in the late 70s.
In 2004, Wheeler gave birth to her daughter Asha Star.
Discography
- UK Blak (1990)
- Beach of the War Goddess (1993)
Awards and nominations
Competitive
;American Music Awards
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|rowspan="2"|
|"Keep on Movin'"
|Favorite Soul/R&B Single
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|"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)"
|Favorite Dance Single
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;Brit Awards
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|rowspan="1"|1990
|"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)"
|Best British Single
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;Grammy Awards
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|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="1"|"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)"
|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
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|rowspan="1"|"African Dance"
|Best R&B Instrumental Performance
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;Juno Awards
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|rowspan="1"| 1991
|"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)"
|Best International Single of the Year
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;Soul Train Music Awards
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| rowspan="2"| 1990
| rowspan="2"| "Keep on Movin'"
| Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year
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| Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Single, Group, Band, or Duo
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Honorary
;Lovers Rock Gala Awards
- 2009: Lifetime Achievement Award
;PRS for Music Heritage Awards
- 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award (with Soul II Soul)
See also
- List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
- Kingsdale Foundation School