Curtis Edwin Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 28, 1939 Yuma, Arizona, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 2015 (aged 75) Yuma, Arizona, U.S. |
| Genres | Doo-wop, Rock'n'roll,pop, Rockabilly |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1960–1968 |
Curtis Lee (October 28, 1939 – January 8, 2015) was an American singer of the early 1960s, who twice was one of the beneficiaries of 1961 productions by Phil Spector.[1] These were "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" (US #7) and "Under the Moon of Love" (U.S. #46).[2]
Career
Born in Yuma, Arizona, Lee began his recording career in 1959. He traveled to New York in 1960 to cut a demo for Dunes Records.[1] He wrote some songs with Tommy Boyce, in this period.[1] Lee's first three singles were "Special Love", "Pledge of Love", and "Pretty Little Angel Eyes".[1] In the UK, "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" was a minor hit record, peaking at No. 47 in 1961.[3] "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" has been covered by Zombina and the Skeletones and Showaddywaddy.
Without Spector's influence, Lee's hits dried up. He went into the construction industry with his father in 1969. He died from cancer on January 8, 2015 in Yuma, Arizona, aged 75.[4]
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US[5] | Label | ||
| 1959 | "With All My Heart (I Love You)" | - | Warrior |
| "Pure Love" | - | ||
| 1961 | "Pledge Of Love" | 110 | Dunes |
| "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" | 7 | ||
| "Under The Moon Of Love" | 46 | ||
| 1962 | "Just Another Fool" | 110 | |
| 1966 | "Is She In Your Town" | - | Mira |
References
- ^ a b c d Bruce Eder. "Curtis Lee biodata". AllMusic.com. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Lentz, H.M. (2016). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2015. Lentz's Performing Arts Obituaries. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-4766-2553-9. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 316. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Staff. "Homebuilder, singer Curtis Lee dies at 75". Yuma Sun. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Top Pop Singles 1955–2008 (12th ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-180-2.