Tony LeMans (Paisley Park Soul/Funk Singer)

The talented singer and songwriter signed to Prince’s Paisley Park Records whose promising career was tragically cut short, known for his self-titled 1989 debut album.

Tony LeMans (born Antony L. Fortier, July 14, 1963 – June 24, 1992) was an American R&B, funk, and pop singer/songwriter from California. He released one album on Paisley Park Records during the label’s expansion period in the late 1980s.

EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNINGS

PRINCE CONNECTION Prince personally signed Tony LeMans to Paisley Park Records. Although Prince did not produce or play on the album, his support and the Paisley Park imprint gave LeMans visibility. The self-titled album blended contemporary R&B, funk, and pop. Tony was part of the broader Paisley Park family during a time when Prince was signing a diverse roster of artists.

KEY RELEASES Tony LeMans (self-titled) Released: October 10, 1989 Label: Paisley Park / Reprise / Warner Bros. Notable Tracks:

• “Higher Than High”

• “Cookie Crumbles”

• “Forever More”

The album peaked at #58 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. Guests on the project included influences from Sly Stone and George Clinton’s musical circles.

STAGE WORK & LATER CAREER Tony performed live, including a New Year’s Eve show in San Francisco. His career was tragically cut short when he died in a motorcycle accident in Malibu, California, on June 24, 1992 — the day before he was scheduled to marry Deborah Matthews (sister of Vanity).

WHY THEY MATTER TO THE PRINCE UNIVERSE Tony LeMans represents one of the promising but lesser-known signings to Paisley Park Records during its most active period. His album is a solid example of the label’s late-’80s R&B direction. His story is often remembered with sadness by Prince fans due to his early death and close connection to the Paisley Park family (including his planned marriage to Vanity’s sister).

SOURCES Prince Vault, Wikipedia, Discogs, Last.fm, Moving the River blog.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.