Don Covay
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About
American R&B, rock and roll, and soul singer and songwriter most active from the 1950s to the 1970s. He was best known for the hits, "Mercy, Mercy," "See-Saw," and, "It's Better to Have (and Don't Need)."
Before Fame
He was a member of the musical group Rainbows and made his first recordings with that group in the year 1956.
Trivia
He also wrote the song, "Pony Time," which was a US number one hit for Chubby Checker, as well as "Chain of Fools," a Grammy-winning song for Aretha Franklin. He received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in the year 1994.
Family Life
His birth name is Donald James Randolph. His father, a Baptist preacher, died when he was just eight. He moved to Washington, D.C., with his mother Helen Zimmerman Randolph and his siblings in the early 1950s. His wife Yvonne Darby died in the year 1981, while his son, Donald Covay Jr., died in the year 2010. His other children are Wendy, Wanda Richardson, Ursula Parkes, and Antonio.
Associated With
His solo career began in the year 1957 as part of Little Richard's opening act.
