What Happened to Howard Hewett: Career, Hiatus, and Current Status

Howard Hewett in Brief: Where Is He Now?

Howard Hewett is an American R&B and gospel vocalist best known as the lead singer of Shalamar during its classic era and for his solo hits in the 1980s and early 1990s, including "The Glow of Love," "I Can Make You Feel Good," and "If I Could Only Have That Day Back." After a high-profile exit from Shalamar in the mid-1980s and a period of reduced visibility in the 1990s, Hewett returned to performing and recording, maintaining a career in music through touring, session work, and new releases. His trajectory reflects both the volatility of celebrity and the durability of a voice that helped define a genre.

Career Overview: From Shalamar Roots to Solo Success

Howard Hewett began singing in church before moving to Los Angeles, where he joined a gospel group and studied music at California State University, Long Beach. He gained industry attention as a backing vocalist before joining Shalamar in 1979, replacing previous lead singers and becoming the recognizable voice of hits like "A Night to Remember" and "Dancing in the Sheets." His tenor range and emotive delivery set him apart. After leaving Shalamar in 1985 amid reported tensions and management disputes, he launched a solo career that yielded several charting singles and albums through the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Key Shalamar Era Highlights

Joined Shalamar in 1979 during the "Three for Love" lineup
Contributed to albums such as "Big Fun" (1979) and "The Look" (1980)
Helped define the electro-funk, boogie, and post-disco sound of the era

Early Solo Breakthroughs

First solo single "Girl You Shine" (1986) reached notable positions on R&B charts
1988 self-titled debut album established him as a solo act
1990 album "Let Me Be the One" included the hit "If I Could Only Have That Day Back"

Hiatus, Challenges, and the 1990s Comeback

In the mid-1980s, Hewett's career faced turbulence due to shifting record label priorities, management changes, and personal challenges, including a highly publicized HIV diagnosis in the early 1990s. These factors contributed to a period of reduced visibility and slowed recording activity. By the late 1990s, he reemerged with a more spiritual focus, releasing gospel-oriented material and participating in television and concert performances. This recalibration allowed him to rebuild his audience and stabilize his professional life.

Turning Points in the 1990s

Date or Period	Event	Why It Matters
1985	Left Shalamar	Marked transition to solo work and public identity beyond the group
1991	HIV diagnosis disclosed publicly	Brought health advocacy and transparency; reshaped public narrative
1994–1996	Gospel projects and selective performances	Signaled artistic and personal recalibration toward spiritual focus
Late 1990s	Reentry into mainstream music via touring and new albums	Demonstrated resilience and longevity in the R&B market

Musical Style and Influence

Howard Hewett's style blends R&B, pop, and gospel, with a smooth yet soaring vocal approach that fits within the quiet storm and crossover radio formats of the early 1980s. His work in Shalamar helped popularize syncopated basslines, digital production, and emotive call-and-response patterns. Although his solo peak was relatively brief, the clarity of his tone and phrasing influenced subsequent generations of R&B singers. His willingness to pivot toward inspirational music later in his career also set a precedent for artists navigating health and identity in the public eye.

Personal Life and Health Journey

Howard Hewett has been open about living with HIV since the early 1990s, using his platform to discuss testing, treatment, and destigmatization. He has spoken about the importance of medication adherence and routine care. While specific health details are private, his public advocacy contributed to broader conversations about responsibility, disclosure, and longevity in the music industry. Hewett has also balanced personal milestones, including marriage and family, while managing a career that demands significant travel and performance.

Legacy and Current Endeavors

Today, Howard Hewett remains active through periodic concerts, gospel projects, and features in R&B retrospective programming. His catalog is frequently streamed, and his songs remain staples on classic radio stations. New recordings have been sparse, but his influence persists in the vocal approaches and production styles of contemporary artists. By aligning his artistry with purpose-driven work, Hewett has sustained relevance far beyond the trends of his earliest hits.

Quick Reference: Career Milestones at a Glance

Attribute	Verified Detail	Source Type
Birth Name	Howard Hewett	Public records
Primary Role	Lead vocalist of Shalamar (1979–1985), solo artist	Music history sources
Breakthrough Hit	"The Glow of Love" (1980) with Shalamar	Chart data
Key Solo Singles	"I Can Make You Feel Good," "If I Could Only Have That Day Back"	Chart performance
Hiatus Period	~1990–1996, with reduced public activity	Biographical reporting
Public Health Disclosure	HIV status made public in early 1990s	Interviews and advocacy records
Current Status	Active in touring, gospel, and legacy R&B events	Recent performance schedules

Common Questions

Did Howard Hewett leave Shalamar voluntarily?

He departed in 1985 during a period of label and management changes, with tensions reported in media at the time. The transition ultimately led to a solo path and a redefinition of his public role.

Is Howard Hewett still performing?

Yes. Hewett continues to perform at concerts, festivals, and R&B tribute events, with select gospel appearances that reflect his personal and artistic evolution.

How did his health journey affect his music?

The HIV diagnosis in the early 1990s prompted shifts toward more spiritual and inspirational themes. This recalibration opened doors to gospel projects and altered the trajectory of his mainstream output without erasing his R&B legacy.