Died On This Date (September 27, 2012) R. B. Greaves / Had Hit With “Take A Letter Maria”

Ronald “R.B.” Greaves
November 28, 1943 – September 27, 2012

R.B. Greaves was an American singer whose biggest hit came in 1969 with “Take A Letter Maria.”  Born on an American Air Force base in Guyana – and a cousin of Sam Cooke, Greaves grew up on an Indian Reservation back in the US.  To further his career, Greaves eventually moved to England where he performed under the name of Sonny Childe in his band, the TNTs.  During the late ’60s, he wrote “Take A Letter Maria” which was initially recorded by both Stevie Wonder and Tom Jones.  In 1969, Greaves recorded it under his own name and released it on Atco Records.  The song shot to #2 on the Billboard singles chart and went on to sell well over two million copies by the end of 1970.  Greaves followed that with a series of covers that also charted. That list includes “Always Something There To Remind Me” and “Whiter Shade Of Pale.”  R.B. Greaves was 68 when he passed away on September 27, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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