Tyrone Davis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tyrone Davis
Davis, 1970.
Background information
Birth name	Tyrone D. Fettson or Tyrone D. Branch
Also known as	Tyrone the Wonder Boy
Born	(1937-10-03)October 3, 1937 Greenville, Mississippi, U.S.
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	February 9, 2005(2005-02-09) (aged 67) Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Blues soul R&B Chicago soul
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1968–2003
Labels	Dakar Columbia Highrise Ocean Front Future Ichiban Malaco
Associated acts	Johnnie Taylor Willie Clayton Marvin Sease Jackie Wilson Bobby Womack Al Green Curtis Mayfield Joe Tex Teddy Pendergrass Isaac Hayes

Tyrone Davis (born Tyrone D. Fettson or Tyrone D. Branch; October 3, 1937 – February 9, 2005) was a famous American blues and soul singer. He had many hit songs over more than 20 years. Davis reached number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart three times. His top hits were "Can I Change My Mind" (1968), "Turn Back the Hands of Time" (1970), and "Turning Point" (1975).

The Story of Tyrone Davis

Tyrone Fettson was born in Greenville, Mississippi, United States. His parents were Willie Branch and Ora Lee Jones. Some people thought he was born in May 1938. However, records from his funeral show he was born in October 1937.

He moved to Saginaw, Michigan, with his father. Later, in 1959, he moved to Chicago. He worked as a helper for blues singer Freddie King. Tyrone started singing in local clubs. There, a music executive named Harold Burrage discovered him.

His first songs were released under the name "Tyrone the Wonder Boy." These songs did not become popular. In 1968, a successful Chicago music producer, Carl Davis, signed him. Carl Davis was starting a new record label called Dakar Records. He suggested that Tyrone change his last name to Davis, and Tyrone agreed.

His first song for Dakar was "A Woman Needs to Be Loved." But the other side of the record, "Can I Change My Mind," became popular on the radio. Tyrone changed his singing style for this song. He used a softer, more gentle voice. The song quickly became a huge hit. It stayed at number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart for three weeks. It also reached number 5 on the main pop chart. Over one million copies were sold, earning it a gold record.

His biggest hit came in early 1970. The song was "Turn Back The Hands Of Time." It also reached number 1 on the R&B chart. It went up to number 3 on the pop chart. Jack Daniels and Bonnie Thompson wrote this song. It also sold over one million copies. The Recording Industry Association of America gave it a gold record in May 1970.

Tyrone Davis released about 25 songs during his seven years with Dakar. Most of these songs were big hits on the R&B charts. Willie Henderson produced many of them. He reached the top spot again with "Turning Point" in 1975.

Soon after, Davis moved to a major record label, Columbia. He recorded seven albums over the next five years. He worked with producer Leo Graham and arranger James Mack. They had also worked on "Turning Point." His big hits with Columbia included "Give It Up" (number 2), "This I Swear" (number 6), and "In the Mood" (number 6). MTV called him the "king of romantic Chicago soul." Many female soul fans loved him because he seemed sensitive and classy.

In 1982, he changed to a new independent label called Highrise. He had another big hit, "Are You Serious." It reached number 3 on the R&B chart and number 57 on the pop chart. Leo Graham produced this song, and L.V. Johnson wrote it. Highrise closed the next year. Davis then moved to a small label in Los Angeles called Ocean Front. This label did not have much power to promote his songs. One of his best songs, "Let Me Be Your Pacifier," was released there.

In 1991, Davis joined the Atlanta label, Ichiban Records. He recorded three albums there, including the song "Mom's Apple Pie." In 1994, Davis recorded one album for Bellmark/Life Records. Tyrone Davis was no longer a major chart artist, but he was still popular for live shows. In 1996, he signed with Malaco Records. This southern-based blues label recorded several albums with him. In 2004, he performed "Turn Back the Hands of Time" on a TV special about 1970s soul music.

In September 2004, Tyrone Davis became very ill. He passed away in a Chicago hospital on February 9, 2005. He was 67 years old.

Tyrone Davis's Music

Here are the albums and songs Tyrone Davis released.

Albums He Made

Hit Songs

See also

In Spanish: Tyrone Davis para niños