Antone “Chubby” Tavares, the lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning R&B group Tavares, died at his home on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. He was 81 years old.

His son, Antone Tavares Jr., announced the death on Facebook, noting that his father’s health had declined over the past year. “He passed last night at home in peace and comfort,” the younger Tavares wrote. “Dad and his brothers touched many people and brought Joy worldwide. They were Blessed to experience many places and things.”

The family plans to hold a celebration of life at a later date. The announcement asked for prayers during this difficult time.

Born on June 2, 1944, in Providence, Rhode Island, Tavares earned his nickname “Chubby” from his grandmother after reportedly weighing nearly 11 pounds at birth. He moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, at age 16, where he began performing with his brothers as part of what would become one of the most successful soul groups of the 1970s.

The Cape Verdean-American brothers — Antone, Ralph, Arthur “Pooch,” Feliciano “Butch,” and Perry Lee “Tiny” — formed the group Tavares in 1973. That same year, they scored their first hit with “Check It Out,” launching a remarkable run on both R&B and pop charts throughout the decade.

Tavares dominated the R&B charts with three number one hits and placed 12 singles in the R&B Top 10. The group also achieved eight singles on Billboard’s Top 40, showcasing their crossover appeal during an era when soul music was reshaping American popular culture.

Among their most recognizable songs was “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,” which became a dance floor staple in 1976. The group also recorded memorable versions of “It Only Takes a Minute” and “She’s Gone,” the latter originally performed by Hall and Oates.

The group’s biggest commercial achievement came in 1977 when they recorded “More Than a Woman” for the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack. The Bee Gees-penned track helped propel the album to become one of the best-selling soundtracks in music history. Tavares won a Grammy Award for their contribution to the landmark disco-era album.

The brothers’ impact extended beyond commercial success. In 2006, Tavares was inducted into the Cape Verdean Heritage Hall of Fame, the same year as their father, Feliciano “Flash” Vierra Tavares. The group received additional recognition in 2014 when they were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

In 2024, the city of New Bedford honored the siblings by renaming a street “Tavares Brothers Way,” recognizing the lasting connection between the musicians and their hometown. The ceremony celebrated how the brothers had carried New Bedford’s name around the world throughout their career.

Beyond his work with the group, Chubby Tavares pursued solo projects later in his career. He released the album “Jealousy” in 2012, marking the beginning of his individual artistic pursuits while maintaining his connection to the family band.

Tavares officially retired from music in 2022, citing ongoing health issues. His final performances with the group took place in May 2023 at New Bedford’s Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, bringing his musical journey full circle in the city where he had spent much of his youth.

The Tavares family has endured significant losses in recent years. Ralph Tavares died in 2021, followed by Arthur “Pooch” Tavares in April 2024. Chubby’s death leaves two surviving brothers, Feliciano “Butch” and Perry Lee “Tiny,” to carry on the family’s musical legacy.

The group’s influence on R&B and soul music remains undeniable. Their smooth harmonies and infectious rhythms helped define the sound of 1970s popular music, bridging the gap between traditional soul and the emerging disco movement. Songs like “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” and “More Than a Woman” continue to resonate with audiences decades after their original release.

Tavares’ roots in the Cape Verdean-American community of New Bedford and Providence shaped their musical identity. The brothers drew from their cultural heritage while creating a sound that appealed to mainstream audiences, helping to bring greater visibility to Cape Verdean-American artists in the music industry.

Throughout their career, the brothers maintained a reputation for tight vocal harmonies and energetic live performances. Their ability to shift seamlessly between ballads and uptempo dance numbers demonstrated their versatility as performers and their deep understanding of soul music’s emotional range.

The success of “Saturday Night Fever” brought Tavares international recognition, but the brothers had already established themselves as major forces in R&B before the disco explosion. Their earlier hits proved they could compete with the era’s top vocal groups, earning respect from both critics and peers in the industry.

As news of Chubby Tavares’ death spread, tributes poured in from fans and fellow musicians. Social media posts highlighted the joy his music brought to listeners across generations. The outpouring reflected the enduring affection for the singer and his brothers’ contributions to American popular music.

Chubby Tavares leaves behind a catalog of songs that defined an era and influenced countless artists who followed. His voice, which helped propel Tavares to the top of the charts throughout the 1970s, remains a testament to the power of family harmony and the enduring appeal of soul music.