UB In Memoriam: Singer/Songwriter Sam Salter

“I was floored,” stated LaFace co-founder L.A. Reid in 1997, recalling the day Sam‘s demo tape first reached his ears. “He’s a great singer. I mean, we live in an era where you don’t necessarily have to be, but he is!”

Sam Salter‘s smooth, classic R&B style was readily evident on “After 12 Before 6,” his debut single. Co-written by Salter, it tells the story of a man trying to balance a career and a relationship.

The second of seven children, Sam developed his gospel-tinged vocals as a child in Los Angeles, singing at the Faithful Church Of God In Christ. By the time he got to high school, he’d dived headfirst into the R&B world, finally winning the school’s talent show his senior year, after losing in three previous tries.

Sam Salter counted Stevie Wonder and LaFace‘s co-founder Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds among his inspirations. “They are very sincere in what they do,” he said. “They put their all into every song. And I’m a fan of longevity. They’ve been able to sustain it, [and] that’s what I want to do.”

Part of Sam‘s magic was rooted in Reseda High School, where he learned after his participation in annual talent shows. Two years in a row he lost; his third year he won second place. But his senior year, his rendition of H-Town’s “Knockin’ the Boots” won first place and Sam Salter’s tenacity paid off in the pricely amount of $30 his cash prize for winning the top slot.

That determination also placed him on the fast track to LaFace Records when his demo reached the desk of Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who quickly signed the melodious, man-child balladeer and packed him off to Atlanta. “Sam Salter is the epitome of soul,” stated Reid. “He is truly a song’s friend. His voice is so rich and his emotion is so pure. Salter is the finest vocalist that I’ve ever worked with.”

In agreeance was Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. “It’s been quite some time since we’ve experienced a vocalist as diverse and charismatic as Sam Salter. He has a style and talent that has long been missed in the music world. He can sing a ballad with smooth vocals that leave you with a mellow feeling. When I grow up I wanna sing just like Sam.”

Sam Salter‘s follow-up album was shelved by LaFace, due to a merger. In 2010, he released three new singles and in 2011 he released the new single, “To Be Loved.”

Over the years he collaborated with El DeBarge, Charlie Wilson, Babyface, Destiny’s Child, Tyrese, Frankie J and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas.

Sam also made his stage play debut in Palmer Williams Jr.’s “What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs” starring Shirley Murdock. He appeared in another stage play in 2009 by Donald Gray, “There’s a Stranger in My House” starring Vivica A. Fox.