When Force MD’s took the R&B industry by storm, they had everybody singing “Tender love, love so tender, holding me close to you, baby I surr-en-der…” and then they hit us again with the 80’s smashes, “Love Is A House,” “Here I Go Again,” and “Tears.” They were like the the updated, new jack swing, doo-wop group of the 80’s. Remember how folks would play their tapes until the tape popped? The Force MD’s music used to set the late night mellow mood radio shows off just right too.
Their songs were playing everywhere- on BET, Soul Train, every urban radio station across the country, and they were on top of the world during that era! Then things suddenly were starting to change behind the scenes and ultimately three members died at very young ages.
We knew them as the clean cut group that was made up of brothers Stevie D. and Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy, their uncle Jessie Lee Daniels, and their two friends, “Trisco” Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson, whose talents were bred from singing on corners in Times Square and on ferries in Staten Island, NY. That is who they were, but what we didn’t know was that they had some struggles and internal battles they were dealing with right in front of our eyes.
3 Members Died Within A 5 Year Span
At the height of their success, Jessie D., the dude who used to do the Michael Jackson impersonations, started getting heavily involved with drugs and his addiction continued to progress, ultimately getting him booted from the group and landing him in prison. Trisco started to develop an addiction to drugs and alcohol and also later battled cancer. After a while, folks weren’t really buying many Force MD records anymore and then things took a very tragic turn for the worst- 3 members of the group passed away within a five year span and another one sadly died decades later.
Lead singer, Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy (pictured above, center) passed away from Lou Gehrigs disease (also known as ALS). Charles “Mercury” Nelson (pictured above, far right) died from a heart attack in 1995. Dr. Rock (not pictured) was a member that many people didn’t get to know because he was a DJ who partnered with the group in the very early stages of their success, but he left soon after Force MD’s first album dropped. Dr. Rock passed away suddenly from natural causes in 1998. Trisco Pearson sadly lost his battle with Stage 4 cancer on Sept. 16, 2016.
Through it all- losing friends, a brother, and watching his friend, Trisco, and uncle, Jessie D. get overpowered by their addictions and poor life choices- is enough to make the remaining member, Stevie D., lose control. He didn’t though, and today he and his brother, Rodney “Khalil” Lundy, have rejoined forces. “Khalil” is also another original member of the Force MD’s, whom most of us didn’t get a chance to know because he split from the group before they signed their first major record deal with Tommy Boy back in the day. Stevie D and Khalil later reunited with Jessie D., who is now out of prison and focused on doing what he does best- singing and yes, every now and then still doing those MJ impressions for their fans. They are still performing regularly and can still hit those harmonies just as flawless as they did back in the day.
They have gone through more than enough turmoil to last them a lifetime but they never gave up and they’re still writing their legacy because it’s not ever just yet. They clearly have a passion for music and true passion will always overpower any adversities and tragedies life may through your way. Looking forward to hearing more from these cats real soon.
President Obama Loves The Force M.D.s
In a 2009 interview President Obama revealed that the Force M.D.s, among other artists, were included in his Air Force One iPod playlist. Who would’ve ever imagined we’d have a President who actually knows who Force MD’s are?!! The president’s got soul! LOL.
