Born Robert Dupuis in Brooklyn, New York on December 23, 1946, Robbie Dupree is a a singer-songwriter whose smooth blend of pop, soul, and R&B made him a defining voice of the early 1980s blue-eyed soul movement. He is best known for the singles “Steal Away” and “Hot Rod Hearts,” both of which were taken from his 1980 self-titled debut album. Robbie Dupree emerged from the New York music scene after several years of working as a sideman and songwriter. He came to prominence in 1980 with the release of his album Robbie Dupree, which paired sophisticated songwriting with polished, radio-ready production. The single “Steal Away” became an international hit, reaching number 6 on Billboard’s Top 100 Singles chart. The song also landed in the Top 40 in Canada and Australia. Robbie Dupree’s next single, “Hot Rod Hearts,” was another hit and reached number 15 on the Billboard singles chart. In 1981, he released the single “Brooklyn Girls,” which was taken from his sophomore album Street Corner Heroes. That single proved to be his last chart hit, and while Robbie Dupree continued to perform and release albums – including Carried Away (1989), Smoke and Mirrors (1995), and Robbie Dupree and David Sancious (2003), a collaboration with the former member of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band. Robbie Dupree continues to be a respected artist and is often categorized as one of the early pioneers of what is now known as ‘Yacht Rock.’
