Singer, Songwriter. He will perhaps be best remembered for penning the song "Chain of Fools" which achieved gold status for Aretha Franklin in 1967. Born Donald Randolph, his father a Baptist minister died when Don was eight years old. After his family moved to Washington DC, he began performing in a Gospel ensemble called "The Cherry Keys." He moved on to a doo-wop group called "The Rainbows." Along with former "Rainbows" bandmate John Berry, Covay penned and recorded with his group "The Goodtimers" the song "Pony Time" in 1960. Chubby Checker's version topped the Pop-Charts in 1961. Covay co-penned and recorded the single "Mercy, Mercy" (1964) and one-year later (1965), the Rolling Stones yielded their version with more successful results. Among the many other artists he wrote for include Gladys Knight and the Pips, Jerry Butler, Connie Francis and Wilson Pickett. He suffered a stroke in 1992, but recovered sufficiently to resume his recording career in 2000.
Singer, Songwriter. He will perhaps be best remembered for penning the song "Chain of Fools" which achieved gold status for Aretha Franklin in 1967. Born Donald Randolph, his father a Baptist minister died when Don was eight years old. After his family moved to Washington DC, he began performing in a Gospel ensemble called "The Cherry Keys." He moved on to a doo-wop group called "The Rainbows." Along with former "Rainbows" bandmate John Berry, Covay penned and recorded with his group "The Goodtimers" the song "Pony Time" in 1960. Chubby Checker's version topped the Pop-Charts in 1961. Covay co-penned and recorded the single "Mercy, Mercy" (1964) and one-year later (1965), the Rolling Stones yielded their version with more successful results. Among the many other artists he wrote for include Gladys Knight and the Pips, Jerry Butler, Connie Francis and Wilson Pickett. He suffered a stroke in 1992, but recovered sufficiently to resume his recording career in 2000.
Bio by: C.S.
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