Cheryl Lynn Bio
Cheryl Lynn (born Lynda Cheryl Smith; March 11, 1957) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress best known for her R&B, soul, pop, and disco recordings from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. She first gained national attention with the 1978 single “Got to Be Real,” which she co-wrote and which climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. Over a career that has stretched across more than four decades, Lynn has built a reputation as a distinctive voice in dance and soul music, with her signature song eventually earning induction into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
Early Life and Background
Cheryl Lynn was born Lynda Cheryl Smith on March 11, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, United States. She grew up in the city and was raised in a household where music played an important role in daily life. As a young girl, Lynn began singing in her local church choir, an experience that helped shape her vocal style and introduced her to gospel and soul traditions.
Her church performances gave her the confidence to step onto larger stages. While still a teenager, Lynn appeared on an episode of the syndicated talent show The Gong Show in June 1976, performing Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.” The appearance introduced her to a wider audience and led to her first professional opportunities in the music industry.
Path to Singing
Soon after her appearance on The Gong Show, Lynn was hired as a backing vocalist for the national touring company of the musical drama The Wiz. She eventually earned the role of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and performed the part during the show’s six-month national tour. The experience gave her months of stage practice and exposure to a professional production environment.
Her growing profile caught the attention of label executives. Ahmed Ertegun of Atlantic Records arranged an initial meeting, but a scheduling conflict meant the conversation did not take place. The result was that Lynn signed with Columbia Records, setting the stage for her breakthrough as a recording artist in 1978.
Cheryl Lynn Career
Early Career (1976–1978)
Lynn’s recorded career began in 1978 with the release of “Got to Be Real,” a song she co-wrote with keyboardist David Paich, a member of the band Toto, and David Foster. The single became her breakthrough hit, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. The track’s success prompted Columbia Records to release her self-titled debut album, Cheryl Lynn, which was produced by David Paich and Marty Paich. The album sold more than a million copies and reached No. 5 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and No. 23 on the Billboard 200.
During this same period, Lynn contributed the female backing vocal to Toto’s single “Georgy Porgy.” The collaboration became Toto’s only R&B hit, peaking at No. 18 on the R&B chart, and helped connect Lynn to a broader rock and pop audience.
Breakthrough (1979–1986)
Lynn’s second Columbia album, In Love, was developed with songwriters Judy Wieder and John Footman. The single “I’ve Got Faith in You” performed moderately on the R&B chart, while “Keep It Hot” became a club favorite. In 1981, Ray Parker Jr. produced her third album, In the Night, which featured the dance and R&B single “Shake It Up Tonight.”
In 1982, Luther Vandross produced her fourth album, Instant Love, which included the duet “If This World Were Mine” with Vandross, a cover of a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell song. Her fifth album, Preppie, included the single “Encore,” written and produced by the Minneapolis duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which became her second No. 1 single on the R&B charts. During this era, Lynn also recorded soundtracks for feature films, including Michael Bolton’s “At Last You’re Mine” for the 1985 film Heavenly Bodies and “Steppin’ Into the Night” for the 1986 film Armed and Dangerous, the latter produced by Maurice White.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cheryl Lynn’s signature work remains the 1978 album Cheryl Lynn and its lead single “Got to Be Real,” both of which established her as a leading R&B and dance artist of her era. The song was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005, recognizing its lasting impact on dance music. Her catalogue of Columbia Records albums, along with her 1989 top 10 single “Every Time I Try to Say Goodbye,” has continued to influence contemporary R&B artists, including Mary J. Blige, who covered “Got to Be Real” alongside Will Smith.
Cheryl Lynn Award Nominations
Cheryl Lynn’s catalogue of R&B, soul, and dance recordings from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s earned her recognition across radio formats and the dance music community. Her 1978 debut single “Got to Be Real” reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, and her single “Encore” later matched that peak, reflecting the consistent chart success that supported her standing within the genre.
Cheryl Lynn Awards Won
Cheryl Lynn was honored with induction into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005, recognizing the lasting influence of her 1978 single “Got to Be Real” on dance music culture. Her debut album, Cheryl Lynn, sold more than a million copies, underscoring the commercial impact of her early work. These recognitions have cemented her reputation as one of the most distinctive voices of the disco and R&B eras.
Cheryl Lynn Family
Cheryl Lynn was born Lynda Cheryl Smith to a family based in Los Angeles, California. Public information about her parents, siblings, and extended family remains limited, and she has generally kept her personal and family life private throughout her decades-long career in the music industry.
Personal Life
Cheryl Lynn has spent much of her life based in Los Angeles, the city where she was born and raised. Throughout her career she has largely avoided the spotlight outside of her music, focusing on her work as a singer, songwriter, and actress. She has occasionally performed at charity events in her hometown of Los Angeles, reflecting her continued ties to the community that shaped her early life.