(September 19, 1931-April 9, 1988)
Born in Lugoff, South Carolina
Birth name was Benjamin Franklin Peay
Recorded 'It's Just a Matter of Time,' 'Thank You Pretty Baby,' 'Kiddio,' 'So Many Ways,' 'Think Twice,' 'The Boll Weevil Song,' 'Lie to Me,' 'Hotel Happiness' and 'Rainy Night in Georgia'
Recorded the duets 'Baby (You've Got What It Takes)' and 'A Rockin' Good Way' with Dinah Washington
Died in Queens of pneumonia brought on by spinal meningitis complications at age 56

He labored as a milkman before journeying to New York City to seek his fame.
He went through over a half dozen record labels.
His first record company made him change his name for no particular reason.
He was out of demand when Beatlemania swept the nation (until 1970).
He tried the disco craze, failed, then slipped into the oldies circuit.

His gospel music roots helped him make the jump to pop and R&B .
He wrote hit songs for soul legends Nat King Cole, Clyde McPhatter and Roy Hamilton.
He wanted to record more songs with Dinah Washington before she tragically died in 1963 of an overdose at age 39.
He has eight Top 10 single hits and 17 Top 10 R&B hits, including seven that reached number one.
His last million selling record, 1970's 'Rainy Night in Georgia' (written by Tony Joe White) is listed as one of Rolling Stone magazine's '500 Greatest Songs of All Time.'
With his deep, smoky, seductive baritone voice he was his generation's version of Barry White.

Credit: Scar Tactics

http://www.amiannoying.com/view.aspx?ID=22441

E-mail Link to Friend | Report updates or corrections for this profile

For 2009, as of last week, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 87 Votes: 34.48% Annoying

• Black Men Loved by Whites
• Crooners
• Gel Heads
• I Died in 1988 (Ranked: 56)
• I Had Pneumonia
• I Sing About a Penny
• I Sing About Angels
• I Sing About Coffee
• Look at My Album Cover
• Male Pipe Smokers
• MCA's 20th Century Master Artists
• Mustaches
• My Death was Overshadowed by Someone Else (Ranked: 59)
• My Name is H20
• Oops, I Recorded a Disco Song
• Profiles 22251-22500 (Ranked: 22441)
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - 401-500 [Performers] (Ranked: 498)
• Scar Tactics' Profiles [Series 07]
• Weights and Measure Names