don covay

Biography

Donald James Randolph, known professionally as Don Covay, was born on March 24, 1936, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to a Baptist preacher who died when Covay was eight years old. His family moved to Washington, D.C., where he immersed himself in gospel, doo-wop, R&B, and soul music, starting his career in the 1950s as part of the Rainbows doo-wop group and joining Little Richard's revue in 1957 as a chauffeur and opening act, releasing his debut single 'Bip Bop Bip' under the name 'Pretty Boy.'[1][3][4]

Covay's breakthrough came as a songwriter with 'Pony Time' (co-written with John Berry), which reached No. 60 for him in 1961 before Chubby Checker took it to No. 1, followed by hits like 'Letter Full of Tears' for Gladys Knight & the Pips and 'I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You' for Solomon Burke. As a performer, he scored with 'Mercy, Mercy' in 1964 on Rosemart Records (featuring young Jimi Hendrix on guitar), reaching No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, and 'See-Saw' in 1965 co-written with Steve Cropper. His earthy, bluesy soul style shone through in the 1970s with Mercury Records hits like 'It's Better to Have (and Don't Need)' and 'Rumble in the Jungle,' alongside ventures like the Soul Clan supergroup (1968) and Jefferson Lemon Blues Band (1969-1970).[1][2][3]

Covay's legacy as a pioneering soul songwriter endures through covers by Aretha Franklin ('Chain of Fools,' Grammy winner), the Rolling Stones ('Mercy, Mercy'), Wilson Pickett, Steppenwolf, and others. He received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994, worked as an A&R executive, and passed away on January 31, 2015, after a stroke.[2][3]

Fun Facts

• Covay's 1964 hit 'Mercy, Mercy' featured a then-unknown Jimi Hendrix on guitar, helping launch Hendrix's recording career.[1][2][3]
• He organized the short-lived Soul Clan supergroup in 1968 with soul legends Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Ben E. King, and Arthur Conley.[1][3]
• 'Rumble in the Jungle' (1974) was directly inspired by the famous Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman boxing match.[1]
• Covay briefly drove for Little Richard early on and released his first single 'Bip Bop Bip' billed as 'Pretty Boy,' produced by the rock pioneer.[3]

Associated Acts

• Don Covay & the Goodtimers - eponymous
• The Jefferson Lemon Blues Band
• The Soul Clan
• The Rainbows
• The Jets

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Little Richard - Early career mentor; Covay worked as chauffeur and opening act in his revue ('Bip Bop Bip' single produced by Little Richard with the Upsetters) [1957]

Key Collaborators

• John Berry - Fellow Rainbows group member and songwriting partner ('Pony Time') [late 1950s-1961]
• Jimi Hendrix - Guitarist on Covay's recordings as part of the Goodtimers ('Mercy, Mercy') [1964]
• Steve Cropper - Co-writer and Stax Records collaborator ('See-Saw') [1965]
• Solomon Burke - Soul Clan supergroup member and song recipient (Soul Clan project; 'I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You') [1962, 1968]
• Joe Tex - Soul Clan supergroup member (Soul Clan project) [1968]
• Ben E. King - Soul Clan supergroup member (Soul Clan project) [1968]
• Arthur Conley - Soul Clan supergroup member (Soul Clan project) [1968]
• Joe Richardson - Bandmate in Jefferson Lemon Blues Band ('Black Woman'; albums 'The House of Blue Lights' and 'Different Strokes for Different Folks') [1969-1970]
• John P. Hammond - Bandmate in Jefferson Lemon Blues Band ('Black Woman'; albums 'The House of Blue Lights' and 'Different Strokes for Different Folks') [1969-1970]

Artists Influenced

• Chubby Checker - Recorded Covay's song as a major hit ('Pony Time' (US No. 1)) [1961]
• Gladys Knight & the Pips - Recorded Covay's ballad as a Top 20 hit ('Letter Full of Tears') [1962]
• Aretha Franklin - Grammy-winning cover of Covay's composition ('Chain of Fools') [1967]
• The Rolling Stones - Covered Covay's song and later had him as backing singer; Mick Jagger emulated his style ('Mercy, Mercy' on 'Out of Our Heads'; backing on 'Dirty Work') [1965, 1986]
• Wilson Pickett - Recorded Covay's songs ('I'm Gonna Cry (Cry Baby)') [1960s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #r&b, #soul