Influential R&B singer Don Covay dies

R&B singer and guitarist Don Covay has died aged 76. Covay was known for writing the song ‘Chain Of Fools’ performed by Aretha Franklin in 1967 as well as his own hits ‘Mercy, Mercy’, ‘See Saw’ which he co-wrote with Steve Cropper and ’Sookie Sookie.’

Covay was warm up singer for Little Richard on tour in the 1950s and also a member of the collective The Soul Clan with Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Ben E King and Arthur Conley. The Rhythm & Blues Foundation honoured him as a musical pioneer in 1994 and in 2000 he collaborated with Rolling Stones guitarists Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards on his last album ‘Ad Lib’.

He was born in South Carolina, the son of a Baptist preacher, and died on January 31 in New York City after suffering a stroke.