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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMcDANIELS, Gene(Eugene Booker McDaniels, 12 February 1935, Kansas City KS; d 29 July 2011, Kittery Point ME) Pop singer and songwriter who grew up in Omaha NE. Classically trained with a gospel background, he had a four-octave vocal range. He graduated from Omaha U, attended Conservatory of Music; had pop success on Liberty with songs written by pop teams Goffin/King, Pomus/Shuman, Bacharach/David etc, produced by Tommy Garrett: quasi-spiritual 'A Hundred Pounds Of Clay' was top three hit '61; five more top 40 entries '61-2 included 'Tower Of Strength', 'Chip Chip' (both top ten). Appearance in UK film It's Trad Dad '62 (an early Richard Lester epic aka Ring-A-Ding Rhythm, with Kenny Ball, Chris Barber, Acker Bilk etc) added to his brief fame. When black consciousness was required he reverted to Eugene, recorded soulish social commentary for Atlantic early '70s, including LPs Headless Horseman Of The Apocalypse and Outlaw. He was absent from the charts after the 1960s but his singing had been influential, and he continued successful as asongwriter: his 'Compared To What' was a hit for pianist/singer Les McCann in 1970; Roberta Flack had a no. 1 '74 with his 'Feel Like Makin' Love'. |