From OC Weekly:
Songwriter, artist and producer Gene McDaniels passed away today, his friend Ann Ruckert announced on her blog.
McDaniels was famous for his 1961 hit “A Hundred Pounds of Clay,” which reached No. 3 in the charts in 1961. He also recorded “Tower of Strength,” “Chip Chip” and “Point of No Return.”
According to Ruckert, McDaniels’ composition jazz-soul protest song “Compared to What,” made famous by Les McCann and Eddie Harris in 1968, has appeared in eight major films, including Ice Storm starring Sigourney Weaver, and Casino starring Robert DiNero. It was recorded last year by John Legend with The Roots. Hardcore punk band OFF! also has a stellar cover of that song.
As a music producer, McDaniels worked with A&M, MGM, BMG, CBS Sony, Capitol, Motown and many independent labels. Ruckert said that “Roberta Flack recorded more Gene McDaniels tunes than any other artist.” In 1974, Roberta Flack reached No. 1 with “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” penned by McDaniels, which won a Grammy Award.
• Eugene McDaniels: http://genemcdaniels.com
