Overview

William Jermaine Stewart (September 7, 1957 – March 17, 1997) was an American singer and recording artist who emerged in the 1980s pop and R&B scene. He is most widely remembered for the 1986 single "We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off", a danceable, radio-friendly song that also carried a message of restraint during a period of heightened public concern about sexual health.

Early life and beginnings

Stewart was born in Columbus, Ohio and spent formative years in the Midwest after his family relocated. In 1972 he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he became involved in the local performance scene. He began his career working as a dancer and backing vocalist, gaining experience onstage and in studio settings before stepping forward as a solo artist.

Musical style and career

Stewart’s recordings combined elements of R&B, pop and dance music typical of the mid-1980s: synthesized production, upbeat grooves and an emphasis on hooks. He was noted for a smooth, somewhat high-register singing voice that suited melodic, dance-oriented arrangements. His signature single received widespread airplay and became a defining track of his career, while other releases achieved moderate recognition in clubs and on pop radio.

Selected recordings

  • We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off (1986) — his best-known single with a memorable chorus and upbeat production
  • The Word Is Out and other 1980s singles — early releases that introduced his pop-R&B style to listeners

Although he did not maintain constant mainstream chart dominance after his mid-decade success, Stewart continued to record and perform, leaving a concise catalog that reflects the era’s sound and club culture.

Legacy and later life

Jermaine Stewart’s work is often recalled as part of the 1980s dance-pop and R&B landscape. His stage presence and fashion-forward image complemented his recordings and helped him stand out among contemporaries. Stewart died of AIDS in Homewood, Illinois in 1997; since then his best-known songs have continued to appear on period retrospectives and playlists that celebrate 1980s pop music.