Bernard Fullen, Jr.  (aka) Mr. B 

 

     Born September 20, 1952, in North Kingstown, RI. He has been married for  24 years to Teruyo Fullen.

 

   He started singing at the tender age of 8 years old. It was amazing that he exhibited his talent primarily as most youth at this age would do. He started singing in the church choir. After church services were over, he would sing (doo woops) with people such as: Tiny Tavares, of the Group Tavares, Ben Powers, from the TV show Good Times and  Mr. Manny Barros, who was his inspiration and mentor.

 

    Jeffrey Osborne and he were stable mates. They both crafted their  skills in Manny's mother's basement, later tagged Alice's basement, where many of the youth practiced.  There they   learned to sing and dance their version of the hits of Motown.  He sung with many different groups for years afterwards. 

 

     He grew up like most kids listening to the Old School artists such as: "The Temptations"; "Jackie Wilson"; "The 4 Tops"; The Impressions"; "The Miracles" and not to forget, the Godfather of soul "Mr. James Brown."  Music was exciting and meaningful during that era.  Thoughout the 70's there were drugs, free group sex, the protesting of the war, and the Black Panther Party. Unfortuantely, he was off to drop out and drop into the movement.

 

     Unlike Tiny Tavares, Ben Powers, and Jeffrey Osborne, who went onto fame, he lost his zeal and passion to sing.  He was caught up into the times and happenings and just stopped singing and started shouting "More Power to the People".  An afro-centric movement and voice of power instead of praise.  

 

      From ages 21 to 55, he never song a note. He was perhaps trying to preserve his voice.  But instead he had abandoned his craft and did not do any  public appearances.     It was his dear friend Manny Barros who inspired him to visit the passion and to sing once again again publicly.  Music has always been his passion and his first love. It was a pleasure to embrace his friends  presence once again.

 

    In 2010, he was invited to join the group "The Denny Terrio Dance Party" with  the legendary Denny Terrio who was the dancer who taught the actor John Travolta how to dance in the movie Saturday Night Fever.  He became one of the lead vocalists for the group, and it felt good to sing a note. 

 

    One year later, he received a telephone call from Lloyd Parks who is the only surviving original member of the group, "Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes."  He was then invited to become the lead vocalist for the legendary "Lloyd Parks and His New Bluenotes."  He humbly accepted the offer and still remains the lead vocalist today.  

 

    He also performs tribute concerts to "Mr. Teddy Pendergrass" upon request.