Died On This Date (July 6, 2010) Harvey Fuqua / R&B Legend

Harvey Fuqua
July 27, 1929 – July 6, 2010

Harvey Fuqua was a much respected R&B performer, songwriter and producer who is mostly remembered for his longtime association with Motown Records. In 1951, Fuqua formed the Moonglows, a popular doo wop group who recorded such hits as “Sincerely,” “Don’t Be Afraid of Love,” and “Ten Commandments of Love.”  In 1958, Fuqua recruited a young singer, Marvin Gaye, whom he helped build his early career.  The Moonglows were eventually elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  After leaving the group, Fuqua formed his own label, the one-time home to the likes of the Spinners, Shorty Long, and Junior Walker.   By the end of the ’60s, he was working as an A&R man and producer at Motown, where he made significant contributions to the success of the label.  In later years, he produced hits for the like os Sylvester, the Weather Girls and again, Marvin Gaye.  Harvey Fuqua was 80 when he died of a heart attack on July 6, 2010.

What You Should Own

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Moonglows - The Moonglows

Died On This Date (June 29, 1969) Shorty Long / Gave Us “Devil With The Blue Dress On”

Frederick “Shorty” Long
May 20, 1940 – June 29, 1969

Shorty Long was a singer, songwriter and producer associated with the Motown family for many years.  His “Devil With The Blue Dress On” was the very first record to be released on Motown imprint, Soul Records.  A later cover of it by Mitch Ryder would become a rock n’ roll standard.  In 1968, he released  “Here Comes The Judge,” which became his biggest hit.  He was, incidentally,  the only Motown artist outside of Smokey Robinson that was permitted to produce his own records.  Shorty Long died in a Detroit River boating accident at the age of 29.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Shorty Long