Charlie Adell was a record promoter who specialized in R&B during his run which began when in the 1950s, Brunswick Records hired him to work records by Jackie Wilson, among others. During the ’60s, Adell moved over to the legendary Stax Records where he worked with such acts as the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes. Later, he went to work for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at their Philadelphia International label, promoting the likes of the O’Jays and Wilson Pickett. Charlie Adell passed away on August 9, 2008 at the age of 84.
Perhaps best known for his hit performance of “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right,” Luther Ingram was also an accomplished songwriter. He co-wrote the Staple Singers’ hit “Respect Yourself.” Ingram spent most of his young life in Illinois where he began writing songs and took a stab as a performer. He later moved to New York City where he reportedly roomed for a brief time with another struggling unknown by the name of Jimi Hendrix. Luther spent the rest of is career writing numerous chart topping hits for the likes of Barbara Mandrell, Joe Cocker and yes, Bruce Willis. In his final years, Ingram suffered from kidney disease, partial blindness and diabetes, finally succumbing to heart failure on March 19, 2007 at the age of 69.
Donny Hathaway was a soul singer and musician who is best remembered for his duets with former college classmate, Roberta Flack. The two recorded a series of hits throughout the ’70s. That catalog includes “The Closer I Get to You,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Where is the Love” which scored the pair a #1 single as well as a Grammy in 1973. Hathaway released several hit albums of his own as well. He began his career as a studio musician and songwriter in Chicago where he collaborated with the likes of Aretha Franklin and the Staple Singers. He soon became the house producer for Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Records. As a songwriter, one of Hathaway’s best known compositions is “This Christmas,” a song he co-wrote and has since become a holiday standard, having been recorded by Diana Ross, *NSYNC, Gloria Estefan, and many more. It has been reported that Hathaway suffered from serious depression and likely, paranoid schizophrenia which lead to numerous hospital stays and heavy medication. On January 13, 1979, Donny Hathaway was found dead on the sidewalk 15 floors beneath his New York City hotel room. There was no sign of foul play so his death was ruled a suicide.
Delaney Bramlett was one of popular music’s greatest unsung heroes. During a career that spanned four decades, he either produced, played with, or wrote songs for a who’s who of rock music. As a producer, Bramlett collaborated with the likes of Eric Clapton, the Staple Singers and Etta James. His songs have been recorded by Sonic Youth, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, and Usher. His “Never Ending Song Of Love” has been covered by over 100 artists. It was Bramlett who taught George Harrison how to play the slide guitar, eventually leading to a jam that evolved into “My Sweet Lord.” Over the course of his career, he collaborated with an astonishing list of musicians that included Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Joe Cocker, and Jimi Hendrix to name just a few. The most remarkable thing about his career however, is that ABBA made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while he hasn’t. On December 27, 2008, 69-year-old Delaney Bramlett died from complications of gall bladder surgery.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
Roebuck “Pops” Staples
December 28, 1914 – December 19, 2000
Pops Staples was the leader and father of renowned gospel and R&B group, the Staple Singers. His daughters Mavis, Cleotha and Yvonne, as well as son Pervis, all performed alongside him in the group. Staples grew up in Mississippi, where he was influenced by listening to or playing with local bluesmen like Robert Johnson, Son House and Charley Patton. He formed the Staple Singers in the late ’40s and began making records with them in early ’50s. One of their earliest songs, “This May Be The Last Time” became a hit for the Rolling Stones in later years. By the ’60s, the group were recording for Stax Records and churning out more pop-leaning hits like “Respect Yourself” and their biggest single, “I’ll Take You There.” During the ’80s, Staples performed as a solo act, mostly going back to his blues roots. His Father, Father album of 1995 won him a Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy, and in 1999, the Staple Singers were inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Pops Staples was 85 when he died on December 19, 2000 from head injuries sustained in a fall.
Perhaps best known for his hit performance of “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right,” Luther Ingram was also an accomplished songwriter. He co-wrote the Staple Singers’ hit “Respect Yourself.” Ingram spent most of his young life in Illinois where he began writing songs and took a stab as a performer. He later moved to New York City where he reportedly roomed for a brief time with another struggling unknown by the name of 
Donny Hathaway was a soul singer and musician who is best remembered for his duets with former college classmate, Roberta Flack. The two recorded a series of hits throughout the ’70s. That catalog includes “The Closer I Get to You,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Where is the Love” which scored the pair a #1 single as well as a Grammy in 1973. Hathaway released several hit albums of his own as well. He began his career as a studio musician and songwriter in Chicago where he collaborated with the likes of Aretha Franklin and the Staple Singers. He soon became the house producer for 
Delaney Bramlett was one of popular music’s greatest unsung heroes. During a career that spanned four decades, he either produced, played with, or wrote songs for a who’s who of rock music. As a producer, Bramlett collaborated with the likes of Eric Clapton, the Staple Singers and 
Pops Staples was the leader and father of renowned gospel and R&B group, the Staple Singers. His daughters Mavis, Cleotha and Yvonne, as well as son Pervis, all performed alongside him in the group. Staples grew up in Mississippi, where he was influenced by listening to or playing with local bluesmen like 