David Oliver (singer)

David Oliver (January 8, 1942 – June 6, 1982) was a soul singer best known for the quiet storm single "Ms" as well as his composition "Friends & Strangers", which was covered by Ronnie Laws in 1977. He also recorded the first version of the Cecil Womack song "Love TKO", releasing it as an album track on Here's To You in 1980.

Biography

Born January 8, 1942, in Orange County, Florida, to Jamaican parents, David Oliver did not begin singing until high school at the age of 15. All through high school and college he sang in various groups. After a stint in the Air Force he relocated to Los Angeles in 1967 and joined a group called Five Days & Three Nights. There were offered a contract with Motown Records but after contract negotiations fell through they disbanded. By 1972, Oliver would go on to record background vocals on Redbone's Already Here album. Signed to the Mercury Records in 1977, Oliver recorded four albums with Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders on production. In 1978 the song "Ms" reached number thirteen on the Soul Singles charts, but one of his most beautiful songs was "I Wanna Write You a Love Song". In 1980 he would cut a song by Cecil Womack, "Love TKO", that was missed by most record buyers at the time of release but later became a massive hit for Teddy Pendergrass.^[1]

Death

David Oliver died in Orange County, Florida, on June 6, 1982, at the age of 40.

Discography

• Jamerican Man - Mercury Records, 1977
• Mind Magic - Mercury Records, 1978
• Rain Fire - Mercury Records, 1979
• Here's To You - Mercury Records, 1980

External links

• David Oliver at Discogs
• David Oliver at All Music
• David Oliver at Soulwalking
• "Liner Notes – David Oliver", No Skips No Scratches, November 29, 2010.

References