article by Althea Legaspi via rollingstone.com
Cuba Gooding, Sr., the lead singer for soul group the Main Ingredient and father of actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., has died, Billboard reports. He was 72.
Gooding was found dead in his car on Thursday in Woodland Hills, CA, according to TMZ. Gooding Sr. had served as a backing singer on some recordings for the Main Ingredient before stepping into the lead role in 1971, following the death of former lead singer Donald McPherson. The group garnered several gold singles, including their highest-charting hit, 1972’s “Everybody Plays the Fool,” “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely,” “Happiness is Just Around the Bend” and “Rolling Down a Mountainside.”
Gooding signed with Motown Records in 1977 as a solo artist, where he released two albums. His debut, The 1st Album, housed his charting single “Mind Pleaser.” In 1979, he re-teamed with the Main Ingredient and worked with them through the Eighties. In 1983 Gooding recorded a remake of “Happiness is Just Around the Bend,” which became a dance hit.
Gooding also scored a hit in 2012 with “This Christmas.” He had four children with his wife Shirley Gooding: actors Cuba Gooding, Jr., Omar Gooding and April Gooding, and musician Tommy Gooding.
Source: Cuba Gooding, Sr., Main Ingredient Singer, Dead at 72 – Rolling Stone
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
I was devastated to hear that Cuba Sr. had passed away. The exuberance that Junior shows in his acting, when he got the Oscar, etc. came directly from his dad. You had to have seen him and his boys in concert back in the day – Arie Crown, Park West, etc. etc. He was great and my deepest sympathies go out to his family. Go find the cut ‘Euphrates River’ on YT, and so many more album cuts. An awesome brother, gone too soon. Did they ever get a Grammy?
Cuba was a friend and I convinced him and the Main Ingredient to reunite after 18 years at my showcase, The Hollywood Music Showcase at the Roxbury on Sunset. Rest on Cuba.