Don Covay

Don Covay (born Donald Randolph, March 24, 1938 – January 30, 2015) was an American R&B, rock and roll and soul singer and songwriter most active in the 1950s and 1960s. He received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994.

Donald Randolph was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. His father a Baptist preacher died when Don was eight. Covay resettled in Washington D.C. during the early 1950s and initially sang in the Cherry Keys, his family's gospel quartet. He crossed over to secular music with the Rainbows, a formative group which also included Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart. Covay's solo career began in 1957 as part of the Little Richard Revue.