Marvin Jerome Yancy
Born: 01/01/1950 in Chicago, IL
Died: 1985
Marvin Yancy was enjoying his biggest gospel record as Reverend Marvin Yancy
with "Heavy Load" when he died suddenly. The pastor of the Fountain of
Life church on Chicago's south side, Yancy was the son of a minister and born
into a musically inclined family. His mother was a great singer. He studied at
the Chicago Baptist Institute and the Mooney Baptist Institute of Theology. When
gospel greats like James Cleveland and Jessy Dixon would come to Chicago, Yancy
would accompany them on piano. Meeting Chuck Jackson at the turn of the '70s was
the impetus to take Yancy into secular, commercial music. During an Operation
Breadbasket (now PUSH) expo, Yancy was backing legendary gospel group the
Caravans. After the show, Jackson approached Yancy about co-writing eight songs
for Aretha Franklin. Nothing happened with the songs, but it did start the
pair's collaboration. Having heard from a friend about Jerry Butler's
Songwriters Workshop, Jackson invited Yancy to it. Financed by Chappell Music,
the workshop offered Jackson and Yancy paid positions as songwriters, with the
resulting songs published by Chappell. An unusual arrangement.
The two started a group called the Independents, who scored two hits for
Wand/Scepter Records, "Just As Long As You Need Me" and the
million-selling "Leaving Me" (number one RB, May 19, 1973). Among
record company squabbles, the group broke up. Jackson and Yancy wanted to
continue writing and producing. Later, their manager Bob Schwaid was visiting
his friend, artist manager Kevin Hunter, in New York, when Hunter said that he
was looking for songs for a female singer, Natalie Cole, he'd just signed. Going
back to Chicago, Cole met with Jackson and Yancy to see if they could all work
together. The trio hit it off and began working at Curtis Mayfield's Curtom
studios at the end of 1974. Turned down by every label, Cole finally gained the
interest of Capitol Records executive Larkin Arnold through demos done with
Jackson and Yancy.
Jackson and Yancy wrote Cole's first hit, "This Will Be," at the end
of sessions done for Arnold, just as he and Cole were about to leave town. The
single went to number one RB on October 4, 1975. More number one RB singles
followed: "Inseparable," "Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different
Lady)," "I've Got Love on My Mind," and "Our Love." The
trio earned gold and platinum albums with Inseparable, Natalie, Thankful,
Unpredictable, and I Love You So. They wrote and produced hits for Ronnie Dyson,
"The More You Do It" and "Don't Be Afraid." Later, Cole and
Yancy married, had a son, and divorced.
Returning to Chicago, Yancy pastored his late father's church and recorded a
handful of gospel albums, until 1985 when he suffered a fatal heart attack at
age 34. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
Marvin Yancy married Natalie Cole sometime in the 70's the marriage later
ended in divorce.
For more info on Natalie Cole see:
http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Natalie%20Cole.html
http://www.premiernet.net/~taustin/natalie_cole.htm
http://www.musicweb.uk.net/encyclopaedia/c/C182.HTM