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This week in history: R&B singer Lee Dorsey died [1]

['Shannon Stecker', 'More Shannon Stecker', 'Verite News']

Date: 2023-12-01

Irving Lee Dorsey, a popular R&B singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s, died on Dec. 2, 1986. Dorsey collaborated with artists such as James Brown, the Beatles and Fats Domino.

Born in New Orleans, Dorsey served in the Navy during World War II and was an undefeated lightweight boxer who went by the name Kid Chocolate.

In 1955, Dorsey became an automobile repairman who focused on body and fender work. He was working in an auto shop in New Orleans when he was discovered by talent scout Reynauld Richard.

Dorsey recorded his first song, “Rock Pretty Baby,” in 1957 and shortly after recorded the song, “Lottie Mo,“ which featured legendary New Orleans musician and producer Allen Toussaint on piano.

“To see him in those greasy clothes with a voice coming out like that, full of joy and smiles; it was really interesting. We hit it off right away,” Toussaint said in a 1986 Associated Press article about Dorsey.

Toussaint would also work with Dorsey on several other songs including the 1961 record, “Ya Ya,” which reached No.1 on the R&B charts and No.7 on the Hot 100 pop chart. The song, Dorsey’s first gold record, was later adapted by British singer Petula Clark, making the song an international hit.

The singer went on to record more hit singles including “Ride Your Pony,” and “Do-Re Mi.” Dorsey’s song, “Working in a Coal Mine,” became his second gold record and his hit, “Night People,” was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 10 best recordings of 1977. That same year he was hit by a car and suffered two broken legs. It was reported that he performed at the 1980 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival from a wheelchair.

Throughout his career, Dorsey continued to work in an auto shop in between recording and touring gigs.

His songs were covered by several musicians including John Lennon, Ike and Tina Turner and Harry Connick Jr. His music has also been sampled by a number of hip-hop artists such as De La Soul, Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Dorsey died in New Orleans on Dec 2, 1986 from complications from emphysema. He was 59.

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If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @VeriteNewsNola on Facebook @VeriteNewsNola on Twitter. If you have any other questions, contact managing editor Tim Morris. This week in history: R&B singer Lee Dorsey died <h1>This week in history: R&B singer Lee Dorsey died</h1> by Shannon Stecker, Verite News December 1, 2023 Irving Lee Dorsey, a popular R&B singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s, died on<a href="https://64parishes.org/entry/lee-dorsey"> Dec. 2, 1986</a>. Dorsey collaborated with<a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-04-me-960-story.html"> artists</a> such as James Brown, the Beatles and Fats Domino. Born in New Orleans, Dorsey served in the Navy during World War II and was an undefeated lightweight boxer who went by the name<a href="https://64parishes.org/entry/lee-dorsey"> Kid Chocolate</a>. In 1955, Dorsey became an automobile repairman who focused on<a href="https://64parishes.org/entry/lee-dorsey"> body and fender work</a>. He was working in an auto shop in New Orleans when he was discovered by talent scout Reynauld Richard. Dorsey recorded his first song, “Rock Pretty Baby,” in<a href="https://64parishes.org/entry/lee-dorsey"> 1957</a> and shortly after recorded the song, “Lottie Mo,“ which featured legendary New Orleans musician and producer <a href="https://allen-toussaint.com/">Allen Toussaint</a> on piano. "To see him in those greasy clothes with a voice coming out like that, full of joy and smiles; it was really interesting. We hit it off right away,” Toussaint said in a <a href="https://doc-08-2g-apps-viewer.googleusercontent.com/viewer/secure/pdf/6ms3nk9g30udtbdaekdbsbm8lf9rad5s/3qh9rgi4girg8ktlmcbfgomluo5lsjgk/1701289575000/gmail/06201832223177746207/ACFrOgByE9-XjVK4hOd8h0Wcw1xWt0vOdaZcJD-WZbWB_5XXrWAY5oW-lrOItY27qPWt-z6blh6negcZV1WdePfawnax2bbehYZTppG0ksjk3aogTwCvXNAxtoT2k7qXbw66OSFJYUsC1IJSPjdA?print=true&nonce=k3nc3aaml4pva&user=06201832223177746207&hash=ojrvve2s9fq9v9mgmsicsu8pr0mmdb63">1986 Associated Press</a> article about Dorsey. Toussaint would also work with Dorsey on several other songs including the 1961 record, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLhTZJ4mjfg">Ya Ya</a>,” which <a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/03/RB-star-Lee-Dorsey-dies-at-59/9928533970000/">reached No.1</a> on the R&B charts and No.7 on the Hot 100 pop chart. The song, Dorsey’s <a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/03/RB-star-Lee-Dorsey-dies-at-59/9928533970000/">first gold record</a>, was later adapted by British singer <a href="https://youtu.be/gI3s2EWZYzs?si=8g25cHIUyPG4kejC">Petula Clark</a>, making the song an international hit. The singer went on to record more<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1156935/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm"> hit singles</a> including “Ride Your Pony,” and “Do-Re Mi.” Dorsey’s song, “<a href="https://youtu.be/qbW8qJ98IPc?si=VrZ6nIeuoJ7AI4E0">Working in a Coal Mine</a>,” became his second gold record and his hit, “Night People,” was<a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-04-me-960-story.html"> chosen by Time magazine</a> as one of the 10 best recordings of 1977. That same year he was hit by a car and suffered two broken legs. It was reported that he <a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/03/RB-star-Lee-Dorsey-dies-at-59/9928533970000/">performed</a> at the 1980 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival from a wheelchair. Throughout his career, Dorsey continued to work in an auto shop in between recording and touring gigs. His songs <a href="https://64parishes.org/entry/lee-dorsey">were covered</a> by several musicians including John Lennon, Ike and Tina Turner and Harry Connick Jr. His music has also been sampled by a number of hip-hop artists such as De La Soul, Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan. Dorsey died in New Orleans on<a href="https://64parishes.org/entry/lee-dorsey"> Dec 2, 1986</a> from complications from emphysema. He was 59. This <a target="_blank" href="https://veritenews.org/2023/12/01/this-week-in-history-rb-singer-lee-dorsey-died/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://veritenews.org">Verite News</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-Verite-icon.png?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://veritenews.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=11024" style="width:1px;height:1px;"> Copy to Clipboard

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