Grammy-winning ‘70s disco musician from New England dies at 81
Antone "Chubby" Tavares, a member of the Grammy Award-winning group Tavares, has died. He was 81.
Tavares died at his home on the night of Nov. 29, according to a Facebook post from his son, Antone Tavares Jr. While an official cause of death was not revealed, he indicated that the musician's health had deteriorated over the past year.
"Dad and his brothers touched many people and brought Joy worldwide. They were Blessed to experience many places and things," the son wrote. A Celebration Of Life to honor him will be held at a later date. The Family appreciates your prayers during this difficult time."
Tavares was born on June 2, 1944 in Providence, Rhode Island, according to his obituary . His grandmother gave him the nickname "Chubby" because he reportedly weighed almost 11 pounds at birth, the obituary stated.
Tavares moved to New Bedford when he was 16 and started performing alongside his fellow Cape Verdean-American brothers. The group initially performed as Chubby and the Turnpikes before signing with Capitol Records under their new band name by the 1960s.
The group gained national attention with their 1973 hit "Check It Out" and became a force on both R&B and pop charts throughout the decade. The brothers scored multiple No. 1 R&B hits, including "She's Gone, "Whodunit" and "It Only Takes a Minute," which was also a top 10 hit on the Hot 100 chart.
Their signature song "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" became a dance floor staple and topped the Dance Club Songs chart in 1976. The record also peaked at No. 15 on the Hot 100 and has been certified gold by the RIAA .
In 1977, Tavares recorded the Bee Gees' "More Than a Woman" for the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, which became one of the best-selling soundtracks in music history. The group earned a Grammy Award for their contribution to the album. Years later, Tavares was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and in 2024, the city of New Bedford renamed a street where the brothers spent their youth to "Tavares Brothers Way."
In later years, Chubby Tavares pursued a solo career, releasing his 2012 album "Jealousy," 2018 album "Amazing Ride" and 2022 album "Unlikely Hero." He retired from music in 2022 citing ongoing health issues, Tavares' obituary stated. The musician's final performances with Tavares were held in May 2023 at New Bedford's Zeiterion Performing Arts Center.
His death follows the losses of brothers Pooch Tavares in April 2024 and Ralph Tavares in 2021. Brothers Butch and Tiny are still alive.
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