Died On This Date (October 26, 2010) James Phelps / Gospel Great
themusicsover James Phelps
DOB Unknown – October 26, 2010
James Phelps was a pioneering Gospel and R&B singer who, over the course of his long career worked with Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, and Otis Redding. Phelps entered into show business while still in his teens, when he moved from Shreveport to Chicago and began singing in local Gospel groups. After dabbling in rock ‘n roll and R&B a bit, Phelps returned to Gospel for the rest of his professional life. In 1965, he scored an R&B hit with “Love is a Five Letter Word.” James Phelps was 87 when he passed away on October 26, 2010. He died from complications of diabetes.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
Norman Johnson, known professionally as General Johnson, was as Grammy-winning songwriter, as well as a producer and the lead singer of popular late ’60s/early ’70s soul group, Chairmen of the Board. Johnson was just 16 when he made his first recordings for the storied Atlantic Records. In those early days he fronted his own group, the Humdingers, and shortly thereafter, the Showmen. It was with the latter that Johnson first started cracking the R&B singles chart with such records as “39-21-40 Shape.” After a short and less fruitful run as a solo artist, Johnson formed the Chairmen of the Board. The year was 1967, and it was with that group that he went on to release such hits as “(You’ve Got Me) Dangling On a String,” “Pay the Piper,” and “Give Me Just a Little More Time,” which sold in excess of one million copies. In 1970, Johnson won a Grammy as the songwriter of the mega hit “Patches” as recorded by Clarence Carter. 
Solomon Burke was a beloved and influential singer-songwriter who built a sizable following due to his powerful gospel, soul, and blues voice. Burke ‘s first adult profession was a preacher, and went on to become a popular gospel radio host and then a singer. Signed to the prestigious Atlantic Records in 1960, went on to release several critically acclaimed secular records, his most famous perhaps was “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” which was covered by the likes of the Rolling Stones, 
Papa Dee Allen was a pianist, vibist and soprano saxophonist who is best remembered as a percussionist for American R&B/Funk/Rock band, War. The band was immensely popular thanks to such classic staples as “Low Rider,” “Cisco Kid” and “Spill The Wine.” Allen wrote one of the bands other big hits, “The World Is A Ghetto.” While performing with the band in concert, Papa Dee collapsed and never recovered. He was 57 when he passed away.