R&B singer Gerald Levert passes away

Gerald Levert, the fiery R&B singer and son of O'Jays vocalist Eddie Levert, died Friday. He was 40.

Levert's label, Atlantic Records, confirmed that Levert died at his home in Cleveland, Ohio.

"All of us at Atlantic are shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death. He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer," the label said in a statement.

The cause of death was not immediately known, and Levert's family released a statement asking for privacy.

"As everybody knows, Gerald was a man who loved and breathed music. To his family and friends he was a man of strong character, who had an infectious personality and a zest for life. For his fans, his greatest love was touching the hearts and souls of all people through his music," the statement said.

Patti LaBelle, who had worked and recorded with Levert, said he "was like a son" to her.

"He was such a great entertainer. It's not for real to me that he is gone ... Nobody was prepared for this."

LaBelle said she hopes to sing at Levert's funeral.

Member of supergroup LSG

The father of four children, Levert sold millions of albums and had numerous R&B hits over his two-decade career.

He rose to prominence in 1986 as a member of the R&B trio LeVert, which included his brother, Sean, and childhood friend Marc Gordon. The group recorded the hits (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind, Casanova and Baby I'm Ready.

Levert took his powerful voice solo with the 1991 album Private Line, which included a hit duet with his father, Baby Hold on to Me. Hisdad also recorded the successful album Father & Son with him.

In 1997, Levert joined R&B singers Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill to form the supergroup LSG. On the strength of the hit song My Body, the trio's self-titled debut album sold more than two million copies.

Levert's most recent album was the 2005 solo effort Voices.