A member of the legendary R&B group Force MDs passed away earlier this week.
The group’s official page announced the death of Jessie Lee Daniels, 57, on January 4 via Instagram.
“TO ONE HELL OF A ENTERTAINER “JESSIE D” OF LEGENDARY FORCE MDS. HE ATE, SLEEP AND BREATHE MUSIC EVERYDAY. PLEASE PUT A HEART UP FOR HIM. HE WAS LOVED!!!!!!!!!! TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FANS TODAY WE LOST A REAL TALENT. OUR CONDOLENCES GOES OUT TO HIS SIBLINGS, KIDS AND THE FORCE MDS….”
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Known as Jessie D, the crooner sang lead on two of the Force MDs biggest hits– “Tender Love” and “Love Is A House.”
The ensemble hailed from Staten Island and formed in 1981. Force MDs consisted of a group of brothers — Stevie D, Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy, Rodney “Khalil” Lundy, with their uncle, Daniels.
Later, two more men, “Trisco” Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson, joined the group.
The group secured a record label in 1984. Their first album, “Love Letters,” produced their first hit on the R&B charts– “Tender Love,” written by super-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
The single was such a success that it was featured in the 1985 cult classic film Krush Groove which starred Sheila E., Blair Underwood, and Run D.M.C.
Two years later, the Force MDs returned to the R&B charts with “Love Is A House.” It topped the charts at #1.
Unfortunately, the group’s popularity faded. In the 90s, three bandmates passed away. Nelson suffered a fatal heart attack in 1995; former collaborator DJ Dr. Rock died natural causes in 1996; and in 1998, Antoine succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Trisco passed away in 2016 from cancer. In 2017, the group reassembled with its remaining living members — Jessie, Stevie, and Rodney — releasing an album titled “Our Favorite Joints.”
News of Jessie’s passing quickly spread across social media. Fans and celebrities alike reacted to the singer’s death.
🙏🏾👑🙏🏾🌎 #JessieD 💙
#SIP #ForceMDs pic.twitter.com/fgQmvRWF6m— Greg Walker (@icongw) January 5, 2022
We lost another Legend. Jessie of the @ForceMDs A good friend and incredible performer. Life is Precious 🙏 Rest easy… pic.twitter.com/ECtNnWU6pf
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 5, 2022
This morning we say a sad goodbye to Jesse Lee Daniels, co-founder of the pioneering group The Force MDs. What an impact they had on music! https://t.co/hAsgS8ttqu pic.twitter.com/jYOpjEm2F7
— soultracks (@soultrackscom) January 5, 2022
RIP to Jessie D from the Hip Hop/R&B group, Force MDs 🌹
Jessie was an amazing performer in the music industry. His vocals were so sweet and magnetizing that it caused you to dance with the beat 💯
Hip Hop has received another angel 🕊 @ForceMDs pic.twitter.com/pPn08GF0P0
— The Universal Hip Hop Museum (@uhhmuseum) January 5, 2022
My favorite member of the Force MDs. 🕯 https://t.co/nWFeD3q30r
— DJ Soul Sister (@djsoulsister) January 6, 2022
A cause of death has yet to be determined.
