Music Addikts

I think, “Pretty Boy” would be the first word that comes to mind when you see a picture of Richard “Dimples” Fields.  Pretty though he was, he talent was worth noting.  He was famous for his songs, “If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Another,” and “She’s Got Papers On Me.”  So, what’s up with the name, “Dimples.” According to sources, Fields was nicknamed that by a female “admirer” who said he was always smiling.

In the early 70s, Fields purchase his own cabaret in San Fran, the Cold Duck Music Lounge, and frequently headlined there, becoming a popular act in the area.

Fields would record for several more years, various albums and songs with clever titles, definitely catching some interest. Unfortunately, in 2000 at the age of 58, Richard “Dimples” Fields died of a massive stroke.  His music may not have made the record books, but he is a character to remember. And as life sometimes goes, “If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Another…”

They say the great one start early and for Lyn Collins, this was certainly the case. At the age of 14, this soul singer was rockin’ the mic, hailing from Ailene, Texas via Lexington, Kentucky.  Ms. Collins had the skills to back-up the great James Brown and toured with him, as part of his James Brown Revues.  These revues were some of the most extravagant productions in American pop music.

So, popular in fact that Lyn was able to build her own career, releasing her most popular song Think (About It) in 1972, a hit from her album of the same name. The song has since been sampled by several artists, with a large majority of the song used in Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s club hit “It Takes Two.”

Later in her life, Lyn made a comeback and generated enough interest in her work to re-release her albums, Think (About It) and Check Me Out, If You Don’t Know Me by Now overseas.

At the age of 56, Lyn Collins passed away from a cardia arrhythmia. Get a glimpse of Lyn’s beautiful voice in the video below, “Never Gonna Give You Up.”

Once again, a lady that holds her own with the boys…Renee Diggs was the lead vocalist for the group “Starpoint,” a R&B group that found popularity in the mid-80s. 

The group’s big hit, “Object of My Desire” took them around the world on their Restless tour.  During the tour, Renee was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Despite her diagnosis, Renee continued touring and went on to record 3 more albums with the group and a solo album, “Oasis” of her own.

On August 15th, 2005, Renee passed away from heart related complications.  Today, we remember Renee, Starpoint and their hit single, ”Object of My Desire.” Find out more about Renee and Starpoint on their Myspace page and web page.  

700. That’s the number of song accomplished songerwriter and producer Van McCoy has to his credit. Raised in Washington DC, Van, like many other musical greats got his start in the church, playing piano and singing in the choir. At age 12, Van along with his older brother (Norman) and 2 other friends fromed a doo-wop group called the Starlighters. 

Music was a part of him, so much so, he sacrified his relationship with fiance, Kendra Spottswood, to pursue his career with Columbia Records in 1961.  Van was a constant fixture behind the scenes of some of the best known acts of the 60s & 70s. He produced and wrote  for artists such as Gladys Knight, Melba Moore and David Ruffin (of the Temptations). 

Despite his success with other artists, McCoy’s attempt at his own instrumental LP project, Disco Baby, didn’t go over as well.  McCoy did score a big hit with the single, “The Hustle,” still played on dance floors and disco clubs today. 

McCoy died of a heart attached in 1979, but tToday we remember him and do “The Hustle” in his honor.

To learn more about Van McCoy and his music, check out his webpage.