CLEVELAND -- The public memorial service for R&B singer Gerald Levert will be held at noon Friday at the Cleveland Convention Center Music Hall in downtown Cleveland.

The doors will open to the public at 11 a.m.

The family will have a private service.

Levert, 40, died at his Newbury home Friday. A family member found him.

Levert was the son of Eddie Levert, a founding member of The O'Jays, a longtime R&B group.

Over his two-decade music career, Levert sold millions of albums and had numerous R&B hits.

Levert first gained fame in 1986 as a member of the R&B trio LeVert, which also included his brother, Sean, and childhood friend Marc Gordon. They quickly racked up hits like "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind," "Casanova," and "Baby I'm Ready."

He began his solo recording career in 1991 with the album "Private Line," which included a hit duet with his dad, "Baby Hold on to Me."

Preliminary reports indicate that Levert had mild to moderate heart disease, but an official cause of death has not been determined.

A statement on Levert's Web site read, "We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Gerald Levert. The family asks that you keep Gerald in your prayers, hearts and minds. He will truly be missed."

Levert had three children.

In lieu of flowers, the Levert family is asking that donations be made to the R&B Foundation. Checks should be written in the name of the R&B Foundation and forwarded to Andy Gibson c/o Trevel Productions, Inc., 13816 Cedar Road, University Heights, OH 44118.