Joe Simon

Biography

Joe Simon was born in Simmesport, Louisiana, with sources citing either September 2, 1943, or September 7, 1936, as his birthdate. Raised in a Baptist church, Simon began his musical journey singing gospel before his family relocated to Oakland, California, in the late 1950s. There, he joined the Golden West Gospel Singers, who eventually transitioned to secular music as The Golden Tones, releasing their first single in 1959. Simon’s solo career began in earnest after encouragement from Hush Records, leading to his first national hit, 'My Adorable One,' in 1964.

Simon’s career took off after signing with Nashville producer John Richbourg for Sound Stage 7 Records, where he developed a distinctive Southern soul style with country influences. He achieved major success in the late 1960s and 1970s, scoring hits like 'The Chokin’ Kind' (1969), 'Power of Love,' and 'Drowning in the Sea of Love,' the latter two recorded in Philadelphia with the famed MFSB session musicians. Over his career, Simon amassed 50 charting songs, including three number one R&B singles, and became known for his emotive vocal delivery and crossover appeal.

In 1988, at the height of his success, Simon retired from secular music to become a minister, founding his own ministries and dedicating the rest of his life to preaching. He refused to perform his R&B hits after this transition, focusing instead on his faith and community work. Joe Simon passed away on December 13, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois, leaving a legacy as one of soul music’s most respected and influential voices.

Fun Facts

• Joe Simon was sometimes billed as 'The Mouth of the South' during his career.
• He was one of the first R&B artists to record a version of 'Misty Blue,' a song later made famous by Dorothy Moore.
• Simon walked away from a lucrative music career at its peak to become a full-time minister, refusing to perform his secular hits thereafter.
• His retirement from R&B was so abrupt that he once stopped a concert mid-show, refunded the audience, and announced he could no longer sing those songs.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Richbourg (John R.) - Producer and mentor who guided Simon's early solo career and helped shape his sound at Sound Stage 7 Records. (Produced hits like 'The Chokin’ Kind', 'My Adorable One') [1966–early 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) - Philadelphia studio collective who provided instrumental backing on Simon’s major hits. ('Power of Love', 'Drowning in the Sea of Love') [1971–1972]
• Bert DeCoteaux - Arranger who worked on Simon’s hit 'Your Time to Cry'. ('Your Time to Cry')

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary soul and R&B artists - Simon’s Southern soul style and crossover success influenced later generations of soul and R&B performers, particularly in blending gospel, country, and pop elements. (General influence on 1970s–1980s soul/R&B) [1970s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Drowning in the Sea of Love (Drowning in the Sea of Love)
2. Before the Night Is Over (Easy to Love / A Bad Case of Love)
3. The Chokin' Kind (The Chokin' Kind)
4. Theme from Cleopatra Jones
5. Power of Love (Soul for the Dancefloor)
6. Get Down, Get Down (Get Down)
7. It Be's That Way Sometimes (Get Down)
8. Your Time to Cry
9. Step by Step (The Power of Joe Simon)
10. (You Keep Me) Hanging On (No Sad Songs)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia