Norwood Young is an American singer and entertainer whose career has included R&B recordings, live performances, theatre and television. He is known for serving as lead vocalist with the Philadelphia-based group Pieces of a Dream, including on the song “What Can I Do.” He has also released solo music and written about his life in the memoir Getting Back to My Me.
Young’s career has taken several turns, from early recording work and television appearances to live performances and projects outside music. He has spoken publicly about personal challenges in interviews promoting his memoir. This biography focuses on information available from music references, interviews and Young’s own professional materials. Some personal details often repeated online, including his exact birth date and age, are not consistently confirmed by reliable sources.
Norwood Young: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Norwood Young |
| Profession | Singer, recording artist and entertainer |
| Music styles | R&B, soul and gospel |
| Known for | Lead vocals with Pieces of a Dream and solo recordings |
| Notable song | “What Can I Do” with Pieces of a Dream |
| Memoir | Getting Back to My Me |
| Television appearance | E!’s reality series High Maintenance 90210 |
| Birth date and age | Not consistently confirmed in reliable public sources |
Early Interest in Music
Young’s professional biography says he began singing as a child and secured his first recording deal as a teenager. An interview with ESSENCE describes him as having started his music career early and discusses the experiences that shaped his later memoir. While some biographical websites list a specific birthday or childhood location, those details are not consistently supported by stronger sources, so this article does not state them as confirmed facts.
Young’s early path included recording under the name Norwood B. His biography says that he attended school in New Jersey and traveled to Philadelphia for recording work. The story reflects the effort required to pursue music before he had an established public profile. His later career would include both solo work and collaborations with other performers.
Career with Pieces of a Dream
One of Young’s most prominent career chapters came when he joined Pieces of a Dream as the group’s lead vocalist. Pieces of a Dream grew out of Philadelphia’s music scene and became known for a blend of jazz, soul and R&B. Young entered the group during a period when its lineup and sound were changing.
A 1989 issue of Billboard reported that the group had added Young as its new lead vocalist. He sang on “What Can I Do,” a track from the group’s album ’Bout Dat Time. Young’s professional profile describes the recording as a gold-record success. Music databases also list him among the members of Pieces of a Dream and document his recording credits.
Working with an established group gave Young access to a larger audience and a touring platform. The group’s sound brought together jazz musicianship and contemporary R&B, creating space for a lead singer to deliver both smooth melodic lines and a more expressive soul style.
Young’s association with Pieces of a Dream remains one of the clearest reference points in his biography. It is also a useful example of how performers’ careers can include a mix of group membership, guest vocals and solo projects rather than following one straight path.
Solo Recordings and Other Music Projects
Young later released music under his own name. His discography includes the 2007 album Just Norwood, as well as the 2010 release Getting Back to My Me / Audio Book. Apple Music lists additional singles, including “Imagine,” released in 2017, and “Rainy Day,” released in 2024.
In an interview with EURweb, Young discussed “Imagine” and his plans to return to recording after what he described as a long period away from releasing music. He characterized the song as a love song to the world. The interview also covered his experiences with Pieces of a Dream, theatre, television and the memoir he had written.
His recordings reflect a career that has moved between soul, R&B and gospel-associated material. AllMusic lists R&B and religious music among his styles and notes his connection to Pieces of a Dream. These catalog listings help document his work, though they do not capture every performance or independent release.
Memoir and Personal Story
Young’s memoir, Getting Back to My Me, presents his account of personal struggles and attempts to rebuild his sense of identity. In a 2011 interview with ESSENCE, he spoke about the book and described why he chose to discuss difficult experiences publicly. The interview addressed childhood sexual abuse, substance abuse and his history with cosmetic surgery.
These subjects are personal and should be described with care. The details in this article are attributed to Young’s own public interview and memoir promotion rather than presented as independently investigated findings. Young said he hoped that sharing his story could help other people dealing with trauma or recovery.
The memoir’s title reflects a theme of returning to one’s own sense of self after a period of hardship. For Young, writing became another way to communicate with audiences beyond the stage. It also gave readers context for the changes he described in his life and public image.
Theatre and Television
Young has also performed in musical theatre. His professional biography lists a role as Jimmy “Thunder” Early in an off-Broadway production of Dreamgirls. The show’s music and vocal demands offered a different setting from his work in recording studios and concert venues.
He appeared in E!’s reality series High Maintenance 90210, where the show followed his life and household. Interviews and entertainment coverage have also referenced an appearance on the television program Botched, connected to his experiences with cosmetic surgery. These appearances introduced Young to audiences who may not have known him from his music.
His television exposure was partly linked to his distinctive home in Los Angeles, which became a subject of media interest. EURweb reported that he sold the property in 2011 and quoted him reflecting on the way the house sometimes attracted more attention than his music. The story illustrates how public recognition can attach to an image or setting as much as to an artist’s recordings.
Career Overview
| Area | Examples | What it contributed |
|---|---|---|
| Group recording | Lead vocalist with Pieces of a Dream | Connected Young with a well-established Philadelphia R&B and jazz group. |
| Notable single | “What Can I Do” | A widely cited recording from his time with the group. |
| Solo music | Just Norwood; “Imagine”; “Rainy Day” | Gave him a platform for projects under his own name. |
| Theatre | Off-Broadway Dreamgirls | Expanded his performance work into musical theatre. |
| Memoir | Getting Back to My Me | Shared his personal account of trauma, recovery and self-understanding. |
| Television | High Maintenance 90210 and Botched | Introduced his personality and personal story to a broader audience. |
| Live performance | Concert and theatre appearances | Kept his work connected to audiences beyond recorded music. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Norwood Young?
Norwood Young is an American singer and entertainer known for R&B and soul music, his work with Pieces of a Dream, solo recordings and appearances in theatre and television.
What is Norwood Young known for?
He is best known for serving as lead vocalist with Pieces of a Dream, including on “What Can I Do.” He has also released solo music and written the memoir Getting Back to My Me.
Was Norwood Young in Pieces of a Dream?
Yes. Young joined the group as a lead vocalist during a later lineup. A 1989 Billboard report identifies him as the group’s new lead singer.
What is Norwood Young’s memoir about?
Getting Back to My Me is a personal memoir. In an interview with ESSENCE, Young discussed writing about difficult experiences, including childhood abuse and recovery.
Has Norwood Young appeared on television?
Yes. He appeared on E!’s reality series High Maintenance 90210 and has been referenced in coverage of Botched.
How old is Norwood Young?
His exact birth date and age are not consistently confirmed by reliable sources reviewed for this biography. Readers should be cautious with websites that publish an age without showing a trustworthy source.
Final Word
Norwood Young’s career has crossed recording, touring, theatre, television and writing. His work with Pieces of a Dream introduced him to R&B audiences, while his solo releases and memoir gave him additional ways to share his music and personal perspective.
Public information about Young is uneven: his discography and selected career milestones are documented, while some personal details are not firmly established in reliable sources. A useful biography keeps those distinctions clear and focuses on the music, performances and interviews that can be verified.