Died On This Date (February 23, 2017) Leon Ware / Successful R&B Songwriter & Producer
themusicsover Leon Ware
February 16, 1940 – February 23, 2017
Leon Ware was an American singer, songwriter and producer who was celebrated for the many hits he crafted for others. Born in Detroit, Ware began writing professionally in 1967. Later that year, the first recording note of a song he co-wrote was released; “Got To Have You Back,” by the Isley Brothers. A couple of years later, he hooked up with Ike & Tina Turner to co-write six songs on their album, Nuff Said. What followed was nearly four decades of hit songs for the likes of Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Quincy Jones, and Marvin Gaye. In Gaye’s case, every song on his I Want You album was penned or co-penned by Ware who also produced the landmark album. It sold over a million copies and is considered a must-have for any album collection. Ware also recorded nearly a dozen albums of his own, the most successful being 1979’s Inside Is Love, and the most recent, 2008’s Moon Ride. Leon Ware was 77 when he died of prostate cancer on February 23, 2017.
What You Should Own
Maurice White was the founder and co-lead singer of the highly influential R&B band, Earth, Wind & Fire. Formed in Chicago in 1969, the band went on to sell over 100 million albums, making them one of the most successful bands of the 20th century. For over four decades, the group dazzled audiences around the world thanks in part to their dynamic horn section and energetic live shows. White was born in Memphis, Tennessee and gravitated toward music at an early age along with childhood friend, Booker T Jones. As a teenager, White moved to Chicago where he found work as a session drummer for the legendary label, Chess Records. He played on numerous records by the likes of 
Odell Brown was a jazz organist who is best remembered for penning the 
Minnie Riperton was the five-octave voice behind one of soul music’s greatest ballads, “Loving You.” After studying music as a child, Riperton began her career while still in high school when she joined a Chicago group, the Gems, who then signed to Chess and released a few records. At around this time, Riperton was also singing back up on recordings by the likes of 
