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.