Trivia

His final chart hit was "Count the Days" in 1979. He spent the next 20 years touring clubs and lounges.

His family moved to San Bernardino in 1958, he found work as a mail carrier, office clerk and janitor.

By the time he was 12, he had his own spiritual singing quartet.

Survived by his wife, Patricia; his son, Tony; daughters Alene Harris and Sharon Burley; a brother, Eddie Wilson; sisters Lottie Ross, Ruby Conyers and Maebell Cole; and 13 grandchildren.

In 1966 Johnny Rivers signed him to his Soul City record label.

When he got out of the Navy, he played Los Angeles nightclubs. He sang with R&B groups the Jewels and the Rollers, and played drums with the Souls.

He toured with Johnny Harris and the Statesmen for four years; then joined the Navy, where he sang in the enlisted men's chorus.