Don Covay

An R&B and soul songwriting great, Don Covay compositions have been recorded by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight to Wilson Pickett, and many others. Early appearances alongside Marvin Gaye, Billy Stewart, and Little Richard preceded the moderate success of his 1960 single "Pony Time." He began to hit his stride in 1964 with "Mercy Mercy," "Sookie Sookie," and "See Saw," and had tunes recorded by Gene Chandler and Aretha Franklin. Covay did both blues and soul numbers for the Janus and Mercury labels in the '70s. His most electrifying number was 1973's "I Was Checkin' Out While She Was Checkin' In," which made it to number six. ~ Ron Wynn