Friday 23 October 2015

Charlie Foxx born 23 October 1939


Charlie Foxx (October 23, 1939 – September 18, 1998) and his sister Inez Foxx (born September 9, 1942) were an African-American rhythm and blues and soul duo from Greensboro, North Carolina. Inez sang lead vocal, while Charlie sang back-up and played guitar.
 
Charlie Foxx began singing with a gospel choir as a child in the early 1950s, and was later joined by his sister Inez. In 1960 Inez traveled to New York City and recorded for Brunswick Records using the name Inez Johnston, but with little success. 
 



In early 1963, the pair introduced themselves to Henry 'Juggy' Murray, the owner of Sue Records, and sang him their arrangement of the traditional lullaby "Hush, Little Baby". The song, re-titled "Mockingbird", was released in 1963 and made the Top 10 on both the US rhythm and blues and pop charts. It was their most successful record, sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. It was later covered by artists including Aretha Franklin, James Taylor and Carly Simon, Dusty Springfield, Etta James with Taj Mahal and Toby Keith. 

The record company, keen to promote Inez Foxx as a solo singer, issued later recordings under her name alone, despite the presence of two voices on the records. Perhaps because "Mockingbird" was seen as a novelty record, the pair had difficulty following it up, although "Ask Me" and "Hurt by Love" made the lower reaches of the US charts, and "Hurt by Love" also reached the UK singles chart.  

In 1966 the pair joined Musicor Records and recorded for its subsidiary label, Dynamo. They returned to the pop charts in 1967 with "(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days", and became known for their exciting live performances. They toured extensively in Europe. (Left photo of Charlie with Mick Jagger)

Inez Foxx married songwriter and producer Luther Dixon in the late 1960s. Together they wrote, and he produced, the Platters' mid-1960s return to hit-making with the single "I Love You 1000 Times". Luther Dixon produced Inez and Charlie's 1967 Dynamo album Come By Here, but the couple later divorced. 

Inez also had some success recording on her own, beginning in 1969, but her popularity faded in the 1970s. Charlie was already working as a songwriter and record producer when they finally disbanded their act. Inez continued to record as a solo singer for Volt Records in the 1970s.
 
Charlie Foxx died from leukemia in 1998, at the age of 58. (Info from Wikipedia)
 

4 comments:

boppinbob said...

For “The Dynamo Duo – Inez & Charlie Foxx” go here:

http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/u5n15dqG/file.html

01 Count The Days
02 Come By Here
03 My Special Prayer
04 Tightrope
05 No Stranger To Love
06 Baby Take It All
07 I Stand Accused
08 Guilty
09 A Stranger I Don't Know
10 Never Love A Robin
11 I Love You 1000 Times
12 Hard To Get
13 Undecided
14 I Ain't Goin' For That
15 You Are The Man
16 Vaya Con Dios
17 Fellows In Vietnam
18 Come On In
19 Baby Drop A Dime
20 Baby Give It To Me
21 You Fixed My Heartache
22 Like Little Children
23 You Shouldn't Have Set My Soul On Fire
24 Mockingbird (with strings)

A big thank you to Jake @ Jukebox city blog for link.

Mark Nicholson said...

Do you still have this? The link appears to be dead...

boppinbob said...

Hello Mark, It took a while to find it as I did originally post it 5 years ago. Back in those days I didn't have any external hard drives and used to keep copies of albums on DVD discs, then swap / sell originals at my local record dealer for new stuff. Now I am self-isolated for another 2 months which gives me plenty of time to sort all the album titles etc in a database.
Can't wait to get back to normal and visit those charity shops for more musical treasures.
Regards, Bob

https://pixeldrain.com/u/E2YoeN5t

Mark Nicholson said...

Thanks a million, Bob... I am using my time to do the same - millions of tracks spread all over endless discs.

I love your blog - some great music on here!!!