Singer Gerald Levert dead at 40

CLEVELAND, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- R&B superstar Gerald Levert, who achieved solo success and was a member of the group Levert, died at 40 of a heart attack at his home in Cleveland, Ohio.

"All of us at Atlantic are shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death," read a statement from Atlantic Records, which Levert worked with since 1986. "He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer," reported E! Online.

The Ohio native was first known as the frontman of the trio LeVert, which he founded with his brother Sean and friend Marc Gordon. In recent years, he often performed with his father, Eddie LeVert, a founding member of the 70s R&B group The O'Jays.

The band's biggest hits included "Casanova," "Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop (Goes My Mind)," and "ABC-123."

LeVert collected a Grammy nod, six gold albums and two Soul Train Music Awards.