b. 1962, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA. Curtis was the son of an early member of the Platters and started singing semi-professionally when aged only 13. In 1981 he was the first act signed to Pretty Pearl, a label owned by ex-New York Knickerbockers basketball star Earl ‘Earl The Pearl’ Monroe. Hairston moved to New York in 1982 when his first single, ‘Summertime’, was released. The follow-up ‘I Want You (All Tonight)’ was a big UK club hit and narrowly missed the Top 40 in 1983. The dance classic ‘I Want Your Lovin’ (Just a Little Bit)’ was his most successful release and graced the UK Top 20 in 1985 and also became one of his three minor US R&B charters. The soulful singer, who is better known in Britain than his homeland, joined Atlantic Records in 1986 and had his last UK hit that year with ‘Chillin’ Out’. He has also sung on albums by BB&Q (he was the lead on their UK Top 40 hit ‘Genie’) as well as singing backing vocals for Change.