Sam Dees
Encyclopedia
Sam Dees is a soul
singer, songwriter and producer.
Dees was born into a large family and quickly distinguished himself with his voice. At the age of 9, already champion of several singing contests, he founded his own vocal group, the "Bossanovians". As a teenager he traveled to perform and, in 1968 he recorded his first single at Nashville, Tennessee
's SSS International. He put out his next few singles on Birmingham-based Lolo Records. At the same time he was beginning to earn respect as a writer and producer. Chess Records
producer Lenny Sachs gave him an opportunity to self-produce two singles on the Chess label, which Dees recorded in a former church in Birmingham. From there he began recording for Atlantic
, which released his landmark album The Show Must Go On in 1975.
Since then, Dees recording career moved to the back burner while he wrote hits for other singers, such as "Am I Dreaming" (Atlantic Starr
), "One in a Million You" (Larry Graham
), "Save the Overtime (For Me)" (Gladys Knight
), "Love All the Hurt Away" (George Benson
and Aretha Franklin
), and "Lover for Life" (Whitney Houston
). He released a solo single titled "After All" in 1989, but it only peaked at #95 in the UK, and the accompanying album was not very successful.
Dees continues to write and produce. He released recordings on his own Pen Pad label and also recorded for Ardent Records in England - not to be confused with Ardent Records
of Memphis, Tennessee. Another English label, Kent Records
, has released early unissued recordings which earned high reviews in the European market.
Other previously unissued recordings from the early 1970s are planned for release by Selecta Records whose parent company Millbrand Music control the copyrights to many of Sam's early songs.
His song ‘Lonely for you baby’ was used and referenced in the cult British surf movie, Blue Juice
.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, songwriter and producer.
Dees was born into a large family and quickly distinguished himself with his voice. At the age of 9, already champion of several singing contests, he founded his own vocal group, the "Bossanovians". As a teenager he traveled to perform and, in 1968 he recorded his first single at Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
's SSS International. He put out his next few singles on Birmingham-based Lolo Records. At the same time he was beginning to earn respect as a writer and producer. Chess Records
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
producer Lenny Sachs gave him an opportunity to self-produce two singles on the Chess label, which Dees recorded in a former church in Birmingham. From there he began recording for Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, which released his landmark album The Show Must Go On in 1975.
Since then, Dees recording career moved to the back burner while he wrote hits for other singers, such as "Am I Dreaming" (Atlantic Starr
Atlantic Starr
Atlantic Starr was a 1980s R&B band. Among their biggest hits were "Always" and "Secret Lovers."- History :The group was started in 1976 in White Plains, New York by trumpeter Duke Jones , drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist Joseph Phillips, and three...
), "One in a Million You" (Larry Graham
Larry Graham
Larry Graham, Jr. is an African American bass guitar player, both with the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone, and as the founder and frontman of Graham Central Station...
), "Save the Overtime (For Me)" (Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
), "Love All the Hurt Away" (George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
and Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
), and "Lover for Life" (Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
). He released a solo single titled "After All" in 1989, but it only peaked at #95 in the UK, and the accompanying album was not very successful.
Dees continues to write and produce. He released recordings on his own Pen Pad label and also recorded for Ardent Records in England - not to be confused with Ardent Records
Ardent Records
Ardent Records, often shortened to "Ardent," is a Memphis record label founded by John Fry in 1959. Ardent of the 1960s and 1970s featured pop music acts and was distributed by Stax Records from 1972 until 1975. It is best remembered today for Big Star, whose first two albums, released in 1972...
of Memphis, Tennessee. Another English label, Kent Records
Kent Records
Kent Records was a Los Angeles based record label, launched in the 1960s by the Bihari brothers. It was a follow up to the bankrupted Modern Records and reissued Modern's records. It was later bought by Ace Records, England, which used the label name to release Northern Soul records.The label...
, has released early unissued recordings which earned high reviews in the European market.
Other previously unissued recordings from the early 1970s are planned for release by Selecta Records whose parent company Millbrand Music control the copyrights to many of Sam's early songs.
His song ‘Lonely for you baby’ was used and referenced in the cult British surf movie, Blue Juice
Blue Juice
Blue Juice is a 1995 British film directed by Carl Prechezer and starring Sean Pertwee, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ewan McGregor and Steven Mackintosh. It follows JC as he attempts to reconcile his surfer lifestyle and loser friends with the pressure to grow up from his girlfriend...
.
Studio albums
- The Show Must Go On (1975)
- Secret Admirer (1989)
- The Homecomings (EP) (1991)
- Cry to Me: Deep and Mellow Soul of Sam Dees (1994)
- Second to None (1995)
- Gospel Tribute (1997)
- Sam Dees (1997)
- Lovers Do (Pen Pad, 1998)
- The Heritage of a Black Man (1998)
External links
- }
- Sam Dees website (under development)