b. David Lee Oliver, 8th January 1942, Orange County, Florida, U.S.A.
d. 6th June 1982, Orange County, Florida, U.S.A.
David Oliver, the son of Jamaican parents, was born and grew up in Florida.
He had a minor hit with 'MS' on Mercury Records.
David began singing seriously when he was a high school student of 15.
He sung in the school choir with the sopranos because of his naturally high vocal register.
Though born and raised in Florida, Oliver made regular trips to Jamaica to keep in touch with his roots.
He sang with vocal groups throughout high school and college and was inspired by major artists like the Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.
After college, David joined the Air Force to keep from being drafted by the Army, he stayed five years and was a regular at the services' talent shows.
After his tour-of-duty he moved to Los Angeles in 1967 and joined a racially mixed group called Five Days & Three Nights whose members consisted of other Jamaican migrants to California.
They had a big brassy sound like Chicago, Tower of Power, and Blood, Sweat & Tears, however, contract negotiations with Motown Records fell through and they disbanded.
After an eight-month association with Redbone ended in 1972 (he recorded 'Already Here' with the band), Oliver went solo and worked clubs from L.A. to San Francisco.
Five years later David got discouraged and took a regular office job in San Francisco.
The office venture didn't last long, he hooked with another big band type group, then joined the Mighty Joe Hicks Band as a singer and stayed until 1975.
Mighty Joe recorded the self-titled Mighty Joe Hicks on Stax's Enterprise label in 1973.
Oliver moved to Jamaica for a year, then renewed an association with Forest Hamilton who got him the Mighty Joe Hicks gig and recorded four albums for the Mercury label.
The single 'MS' became a large urban soul hit and Oliver toured with the R & B major stars.
jamerican man 1977 / mind magic 1978
rain fire 1979 / here's to you 1980
Everything was going well until David died on the 6th June 1982 in Orange County, Florida, U.S.A., a mere five years from the date of his first solo release, silencing a vastly underrated voice.
One point of interest to London fans, is the track, later made famous by Ronnie Laws and Dave Gruisin, 'Friends and Strangers', made it's first appearance on 'Jamerican Man'.
Gruisins version was utilised to great effect by Robbie Vincent on his weekday Radio London talkshows.
Albums:
Jamerican Man (Mercury 1977)
Mind Magic (Mercury 1978)
Rain Fire (Mercury 1979)
Here's To You (Mercury 1980)
