David Oliver (January 8, 1942 – June 6, 1982) was a soul singer best known for the quiet storm single, “Ms” as well as his composition “Friends & Strangers“, which was covered by Ronnie Laws in 1977.
Born January 8, 1942, in Orange County, Florida, to Jamaican parents, David Oliver did not begin singing until high school at the age of 15.
All through high school and college, he sang in various groups. After a stint in the Air Force, he re-located to Los Angeles in 1967 and joined a group called Five Days & Three Nights. They were discussing a contract with Motown Records, but after negotiations fell through, the group disbanded.
By 1972, Oliver would go on to record background vocals on Redbone‘s Already Here album and he then sang with Mighty Joe Hicks’s band during the mid-70s. He was signed to Mercury Records in 1977, recording four albums all produced by Wayne Henderson, of The Crusaders.
In 1978, the song “Ms”, from his first album, reached number 13 on the R&B Singles chart, but one of his best self-penned songs was “I Wanna Write You a Love Song” on his follow-up LP. In 1980, he recorded a song by Cecil Womack, “Love TKO“, that was missed by record buyers at the time of release, but later became a major hit for Teddy Pendergrass.
Originally released in 1977 as “Jamerican Man” with later pressings changing to the self-titled “David Oliver”. Charting at number eighteen on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The single “Ms.” would chart at number thirteen Soul Singles chart in 1978. This album would also contain the original version of “Friends & Strangers” that would be Ronnie Laws album of the same name in 1977.
David Oliver died in the Orange County, Florida city of Winter Park on June 6, 1982, reportedly from a seizure at the age of 40.
Credits
Released: 1977
Recorded: 1977
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul
© 1982
Label - Mercury Records
All through high school and college, he sang in various groups. After a stint in the Air Force, he re-located to Los Angeles in 1967 and joined a group called Five Days & Three Nights. They were discussing a contract with Motown Records, but after negotiations fell through, the group disbanded.
By 1972, Oliver would go on to record background vocals on Redbone‘s Already Here album and he then sang with Mighty Joe Hicks’s band during the mid-70s. He was signed to Mercury Records in 1977, recording four albums all produced by Wayne Henderson, of The Crusaders.
In 1978, the song “Ms”, from his first album, reached number 13 on the R&B Singles chart, but one of his best self-penned songs was “I Wanna Write You a Love Song” on his follow-up LP. In 1980, he recorded a song by Cecil Womack, “Love TKO“, that was missed by record buyers at the time of release, but later became a major hit for Teddy Pendergrass.
Originally released in 1977 as “Jamerican Man” with later pressings changing to the self-titled “David Oliver”. Charting at number eighteen on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The single “Ms.” would chart at number thirteen Soul Singles chart in 1978. This album would also contain the original version of “Friends & Strangers” that would be Ronnie Laws album of the same name in 1977.
David Oliver died in the Orange County, Florida city of Winter Park on June 6, 1982, reportedly from a seizure at the age of 40.
- “What Kinda Woman” (Wayne Henderson, David Oliver) (4:59)
- “Love So Strong” (David Oliver, Ruth Robinson) (3:31)
- “Ms.” (David Oliver, Ruth Robinson) (5:20)
- “Friends & Strangers” (David Oliver, Ruth Robinson, William Jeffreys) (4:59)
- “Let’s Make Happiness” (David Oliver, Ruth Robinson, Wayne Henderson) (4:37)
- “Munchies” (David Oliver, Lawrence Smith) (5:08)
- “You And I” (Donny Beck) (5:00)
- “Playin’ At Bein’ A Winner” (David Oliver, Ruth Robinson) (4:35)
Credits
- Arranged By – William Jeffreys
- Engineer – Reginald Dozier
- Producer – Wayne Henderson
Released: 1977
Recorded: 1977
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul
© 1982
Label - Mercury Records
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