Robert Louis "Bobby" DeBarge, Jr. (March 5, 1956 – August 16, 1995) was an American musician and the lead singer of the popular 1970s Motown R&B group Switch and was noted for his impressive falsetto vocals. Later on, he served as both mentor and a co-producer of his siblings' band, DeBarge, later joining them to fill in for departing members El and Bunny. A five-year conviction on drug trafficking charges derailed his career for several years.
Robert Louis DeBarge, Jr. was born in Detroit to Etterlene (née Abney) and Robert DeBarge, Sr. Growing up in Detroit, DeBarge had an unhappy childhood that was triggered by physical abuse from his father. He also has abused his younger brother James DeBarge. At 15, DeBarge was introduced to heroin, which would become his lifelong addiction. After his parents separated and divorced in the early 1970s, Bobby DeBarge and his family relocated to Grand Rapids, where DeBarge, a talented instrumentalist and vocalist, began playing in local bands along with his younger brother Tommy.