Died On This Date (November 8, 1974) Ivory Joe Hunter / Prolific R&B Songwriter & Singer
Ivory Joe Hunter
October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974
Ivory Joe Hunter was an early R&B singer, musician and songwriter who penned over 7000 songs, his biggest hit being 1956’s “Since I Met You, Baby.” Born in Texas, Hunter was playing the piano by his early teens. In the early ’40s, he began hosting his own radio show, and within a few years, he moved to Los Angeles to perform and record. He soon started his own record label on which he released his first record, “Blues at Sunrise.” He wrote and recorded many songs during his career, one of which, “I Almost Lost My Mind” later became a hit for Pat Boone. He also wrote songs that were recorded by Sonny James and Elvis Presley. In the mid ’50s, he moved over to the legendary Atlantic Records for which he recorded “Since I Met You, Baby,” his only Top 40 hit. During the ’60s, he found new life as a country artist, appearing on the Grand Ole Opry several times. Ivory Joe Hunter was 59 when he died of lung cancer on November 8, 1974.