Donny Hathaway

Donny Hathaway (October 1, 1945 in Chicago - January 13, 1979 in New York City) was an African-American soul musician best known for his duets with Roberta Flack. He grew up in St. Louis and played piano

Donny Hathaway (October 1, 1945 in Chicago - January 13, 1979 in New York City) was an African-American soul musician best known for his duets with Roberta Flack. He grew up in St. Louis and played piano, earning a fine arts scholarship to Howard University in 1964. He was offered jobs in the music industry before graduating, and left school after only three years.

He worked as songwriter, session musician and producer for The Staple Singers, Jerry Butler and Aretha Franklin, as well as with Curtis Mayfield. His debut solo single was "I Thank You Baby", a duet with June Conquest, followed by the influential (though only a minor hit) "The Ghetto, Pt. 1". His debut LP was Everything Is Everything (1970), which was critically acclaimed. His second album, Donny Hathaway, was a major hit and was followed by an acclaimed album of duets with label mate Roberta Flack which included a hit version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" and the self penned "Where Is The Love". Hathaway also began working on soundtracks but his output would slow down in the mid 70s as depression set in. In the late 70s Hathaway renewed his collaboration with Flack spawning the hit "The Closer I Get to You" (1978). More recording was set to follow with the duo, but Hathaway was found dead in an apparent suicide in 1979.