Ronnie Dyson

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ronnie Dyson

---

Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = Solo_singer, Actor
Birth_name = Ronnie Dyson
Alias =
Born = June 5, 1950
Died = death date and age|1990|11|10|1950|6|5
Origin = Washington D. C., USA
Genre = soul, rhythm and blues
Occupation = Singer, Actor
Years_active = 1969 - 1990
Label = Columbia, Cotillion
Associated_acts = Clifton Dyson (brother)
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =

Ronnie Dyson (June 5 1950 — November 10 1990 [http://users.efortress.com/doc-rock/1990.html Dead Rock Stars Club details] ] ) was an American singer and actor.

Career

Born in Washington, D.C.Dyson played a leading role in the Broadway production of "Hair" debuting in New York in 1968. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:h9foxqy5ldhe~T1 All Music Guide biography] ] Dyson became an iconic voice of the 1960s with the lead vocal in the show's anthem of the hippie era "Aquarius". It is Dyson's voice leading off the song and opening the show with the famous lyric "When the Moon is in the second house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars"."

Dyson also appeared in the 1969 film, "Putney Swope".

After "Hair" Dyson pursued his stage career with a role in "Salvation" in 1970. His recording of a song from the "Salvation" score "(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?", broke into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #8 in 1970.

In 1971 "When You Get Right Down To It" (a cover version of the 1970 hit for The Delfonics) made a small indent in the USA charts . However it was a major soul hit in the UK where Dyson was feted as the next big thing.

His record company Columbia Records then sent him to Philadelphia International to be produced by Thom Bell who was one of the premier producers of the day and his highly orchestrated style suited Dyson and a series of successful records followed including "Just Don't Want To be Lonely"(1973) which reached # 29 on the Billboard R & B chart.

Dyson remained with Columbia for three albums including: 'One Man Band' (1973),'Love In All Flavors'91977) and 'If the Shoe Fits' (1979). A fourth album 'Phase 2' appeared on Cotillion in 1982.

Dyson's acting and singing career began to stall in the late 70s due to ill health caused by the misuse of drugs and it was 1982 some four years after his last hit that Dyson reappeared on the R&B chart this time on the Cotillion label. " All Over Your Face" (1983) was Dyson's last solo chart entry. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:h9foxqy5ldhe~T51 All Music Guide discography] ] His final solo recording being "See the Clown" in 1990.

Dyson died at the age of 40 from heart failure in late 1990, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A postumous release on Society Hill records appeared in 1991 when a duet with Vicki Austin 'Are We So far Apart (We Can't Talk Anymore)' dented the billboard R&B chart reaching # 79 during a five week run. [ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles 1942-2004 - Joel Whitburn - Publishers BillboardISBN 0 - 89820 160 - 890000 ]

ee also

*List of disco artists
*List of Soul Train episodes (seasons 1-9)
*List of Soul Train episodes (seasons 10-19)

References

External links

* [http://www.allbutforgottenoldies.net/ronnie-dyson.html Allbutforgottenoldies.net]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:h9foxqy5ldhe~T51 All Music Guide discography - Billboard charting singles info]