Richard Lewis Spencer facts for kids

Richard Lewis Spencer (May 1942 – 27 December 2020) was an American musician and teacher. He played the saxophone and was famous for his work with Otis Redding and the Winstons. Richard Spencer won a Grammy Award in 1969 for writing the hit song "Color Him Father", which he also sang with the Winstons.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Richard Spencer grew up in Wadesboro, North Carolina. When he was 11 and 12 years old, he studied classical piano at a special school in Charlotte, North Carolina. By age 13, he was already playing the organ and piano for a church.

In 1962, Spencer moved to Washington, D.C.. There, he played with different bands. He even recorded music with Leroy Taylor and the 4k's. They were one of the first groups to sign with Shrine Records.

Music Career Highlights

In 1969, Spencer led a group called the Winstons. They were an R&B band from Washington, D.C. Their song "Color Him Father" became a huge success. It reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. It also hit number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.

For the other side of the "Color Him Father" record, the Winstons recorded "Amen, Brother". This was a musical version of the gospel song "Amen". The drum break in "Amen, Brother" became very famous. It is now known as the Amen break. Many people call it "the most sampled song of all time." This means parts of its music have been used in countless other songs.

The "Amen Break" Story

Richard Spencer did not receive money, called royalties, when others used the "Amen break." He thought this was like plagiarism, which means using someone else's work without permission. However, in 2015, he said it wasn't the worst thing that could happen. He felt it was flattering that people wanted to use his music.

In 2015, a British DJ named Steve Theobald started a special fundraising effort. It was called a GoFundMe campaign. This campaign raised about $37,000 (US dollars) to help Spencer. This money was to make up for the royalties he had missed.

Life After Music

Spencer left the music business in 1970. He went back to college to study. He earned degrees in political science (the study of government) and labor relations (how workers and employers get along). He also studied to become a teacher.

In 2000, Spencer retired from the Washington Metro system. He then became a licensed Baptist Minister. He also taught high school in Montgomery County, Maryland. In March 2015, Richard Spencer was honored with two special awards. He received the "North Carolina Music Hall of Fame" award and the "DC Legendary Musicians Award."

Writing and Personal Life

Spencer also wrote books. In 2003, he published his first novel, The Molasses Tree: A Southern Love Story. He also co-authored another book called The Heir. Richard Spencer had one son, Richard L. Spencer III.

Death

Richard Lewis Spencer passed away on December 27, 2020. He was 78 years old.