Friday, December 6, 2024

The Great 70s Soul Singer Joe Simon Has Died at Age 85, Had Hits with “Drowning in a Sea of Love,” “Power of Love”

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The great 1970s soul singer Joe Simon has died at age 85. He had a bunch of R&B chart hits but his breakthrough hits in pop were the classics “Drowning in a Sea of Love” and “Power of Love.”

Simon’s buttery voice powered those hit singles to the top of the charts. I had the pleasure of meeting him in the 90s after he’d become a full time preacher. He was a lovely guy and leaves a huge legacy. Here’s a link to his obit from Billboard

Rest in peace, Joe. You were just great.

Betty Lavette wrote on Facebook: “I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of rhythm & blues legend, Joe Simon. In the last several years, he had become a minister. While I don’t know him in that capacity, I do know him from the many recordings that he made. One of my best and most popular songs, was a song written by, as well as recorded by, him:Your Turn To Cry. I have not spoken to him in years, but just before I moved to NJ, I got a call from him, asking me to sing either with him, or at his church. Some gospel song-I can’t remember which one. Though I don’t do church, I was so happy and flattered to hear from him. He was one of the NICEST guys that I ever met in show business. RIP.”

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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