Lee Garrett
Lee Garrett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mississippi, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soul, |
 |
Lee Garrett (born June 30, 1943, in Mississippi) is an American rhythm and blues singer-songwriter, most famous for co-writing the song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". He had a hit in 1976 with "You're My Everything".
Background
Garrett is a Mississippi born singer, composer and radio D.J., and a graduate of the Missouri School for the Blind.[1][2]
He wrote several songs with Stevie Wonder, including the Jermaine Jackson song "Let's Get Serious" and The Spinners "It's a Shame".
In 1976, his solo track "You're My Everything" reached number 15 in the UK Singles Chart. Without any further chart presence, he became a one-hit wonder.[3]
Over the years, Garrett and Wonder have mended their relationship. During his 2007 tour, during a performance on August 30, Wonder paid tribute to Garrett by singing a medley of songs they co-created, and also introduced Garrett to the audience by acknowledging his presence at the show, and thanking him for years of friendship and support.
Garrett resides in the Portland, Oregon area (in Beaverton, a city just west of Portland) and continues to perform throughout the United States. He is currently involved in the Ray Charles Tribute, which is a group of Northwest based musicians along with a 1950s style rock and roll and 1960s style R&B group called the Boomerband.
Career
1960s
By November 1964, his single "Linda Sue" was released on the Van Dyk label.[4] In 1965, the August 21 issue ofr Billboard mentioned his single on the World Artists label, "I Need Somebody" as a Hot 100 prediction.[5] In 1967, Garrett had a single “I can’t break the habit” released on the Harthon label, cat no. 137.[6][7] By August that year, Garrett who had the "9 to Midnight" show at Philadelphia's WHAT r&b station had filled position of musical director, and would still continue his show.[8]
1970s
It was reported in the December 9, 1972 issue that Garrett having worked as an all night D.J. at WHAT-AM in Philadelphia and WLOK-AM in Memphis was seeking more work in radio.[9]
He had his hit with "You're My Everything" in May, 1976. It peaked at no. 58 in the HOT 100 chart and spending 7 weeks in the UK singles chart, it peaked at no. 15.[10][11] Also around that time, Marlena Shaw had a minor hit with "It's Better than Walking Out", a song that he and Robert Taylor had co-composed.[12]
Later years
Garrett was performing with The Boomer Band who had played Great Hall" New Years Eve 2003 at the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino in Washington state to over 900 guests.[13] By 2004, Garrett was officially the feature vocalist with the Band which had been going since 1987. The Boomettes were handling the chorus.[14] In january 2013, they played at the Clambake Jazz Festival.[15]
In 2007, Garrett formed a song writing partnership with Mir German of Miriams Well, a rock band based in Portland. German and Garrett had heard about each other from friends in Portland for some time, and were encouraged to meet to consider writing together. The partnership worked and they, along with co-writer Mark Bowden, created an album called Indians And Clowns, released in 2010. Their song catalogue is well over 60 songs to date.[when?]
Garrett toured in 2011 with Miriams Well, sharing the stage for a set of Garrett's Motown hits and more contemporary tunes as well. They appeared together at the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland in 2011.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat for the Feets | Chrysalis Records CHR 1109 | 1976 |
Singles
| Title | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Linda Sue" / "Tell the World" | Van Dyk 1606 | 1964 | |
| "I Need Somebody" / "So Far Away" | World Artists WA 1061 | 1965 | |
| " I'm So Glad Part 1" / " I'm So Glad Part 2" | Harthon H-141 | 1966 | |
| "I Can't Break The Habit" / " Baby, Please Don't Go" | Harthon LG-137 | 1966 | |
| "I Can't Break The Habit" / " Baby, Please Don't Go" | Harthon H-137 | 1974 | |
| "Heart Be Still" / "Broken Down D.J." | Chrysalis CHS 2101 | 1976 | UK |
| "You're My Everything" / "Love Enough For Two" | Chrysalis CHS 2112 | 1976 | |
| "See The Love On Your Face" / "Searching" | American First Record Corporation AFRC-1492 | 1981 | |
| "Do The Funky 4 Corners" / "Do The Funky 4 Corners" (instrumental) | Rising-Soul | RS-104-D | [16][17] |
References
- ^ Stevie Wonder: The Rhythms of Wonder by Sharon Davis - Page 66
- ^ Billboard, August 19, 1967 - Page 38 Vox Jox
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 222. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Billboard, November 14, 1964 - Page 16 RHYTHM & BLUES, R&B D'J. ROUNDUP
- ^ Billboard, August 21, 1965 - Page 18 CHART Spotlights-Predicted to reach the HOT 100 Chart
- ^ HitHistory - RBC-Songliste (ab 1960), Lee Garrett Can'T Break The Habit HARTHON 137 1967 Kenny Gamble Aug-11
- ^ Popsike - Northern Soul 45 LEE GARRETT I Can't Break The Habit HARTHON HEAR
- ^ Billboard, August 19, 1967 - Page 38 Vox Jox
- ^ Billboard, December 9, 1972 - Page 20 Vox Jox
- ^ Music VF.com - Songs written by Lee Garrett , Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Lee Garrett
- ^ Official Charts - LEE GARRETT, SINGLES
- ^ Music VF.com - Songs written by Lee Garrett , Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Marlena Shaw
- ^ CISION PRWeb, FEBRUARY 19, 2004 - Boomer Band Rock's, Boomer Band Rock's The Quinault Beach Resort & Casino in Washington state.
- ^ CISION PRWeb, FEBRUARY 24, 2004 - Boomer Band Breaks In
- ^ The World, Jan 10, 2013 - Jazz, Clambake Jazz Festival holds preview event by Beth Burback
- ^ 45Cat - Lee Garrett - Discography USA
- ^ Discogs - Lee Garrett, Discography, Singles & EPs
External links
- Lee Garrett at AllMusic
- Lee Garrett biography on the Boomerband website
- Lee Garrett on Soul Walking site
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