ABSTRACT
American blues, gospel, and soul singer; and dancer; born in Augusta, Georgia. He began professional performance as a singer in a vocal quartet, the Famous Flames, with which he continued to work for 10 years. In 1958, he released a rhythm and blues hit, “Please, Please, Please” (Federal #12258; #6), and another, “Try Me” (Federal #12337), his first number one R&B hit, and the best-selling R&B single of the year. Thereafter, he worked in many styles, bringing together
an acrobatic dance routine with energetic musical idioms drawn from African and Caribbean roots.
