Paul Davis was a singer and songwriter who had a successful career in the 1970s and 1980s. He was best known for his hit songs “I Go Crazy”, “’65 Love Affair”, and “Cool Night”. He also collaborated with other artists such as Marie Osmond and Tanya Tucker. But how did Paul Davis die? What was the cause of his death? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Paul Davis, and the legacy he left behind.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Paul Davis was born on April 21, 1948, in Meridian, Mississippi. His father was a preacher, and he grew up listening to gospel music. He started singing and playing the piano at a young age, and joined a local band called the Six Soul Survivors in the 1960s. He later moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he worked as a songwriter for Malaco Records. He wrote songs for artists such as Percy Sledge, James Carr, and Z.Z. Hill.
In 1969, he signed with Bang Records, a label founded by Bert Berns, who had produced hits for Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, and The McCoys. Davis released his first album, A Little Bit of Paul Davis, in 1970, which included a cover version of The Jarmels’ “A Little Bit of Soap”. The song reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and became his first minor hit. He continued to release albums and singles throughout the 1970s, experimenting with different genres such as blue-eyed soul, country rock, pop rock, and soft rock.
Breakthrough and Success
Davis achieved his breakthrough in 1977, when he released his fifth album, Singer of Songs — Teller of Tales. The album featured the ballad “I Go Crazy”, which became his signature song and his biggest hit. The song was a slow-burning success, taking eight months to reach its peak position of No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also stayed on the chart for 40 weeks, setting a record at the time for the longest chart run. The song was a romantic and nostalgic tune, expressing the feelings of a man who still loves his ex-girlfriend.
The album also spawned another hit, “Sweet Life”, which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was a cheerful and optimistic ode to living a happy and simple life. Davis followed up his success with another album, Paul Davis, in 1980, which contained the gospel-tinged “Do Right”, which reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was a message of encouragement and faith, urging listeners to do the right thing and trust in God.
Later Career and Country Crossover
In the early 1980s, Davis switched labels and signed with Arista Records. He released his eighth album, Cool Night, in 1981, which marked a return to his pop rock roots. The album produced three more hits, “Cool Night”, “’65 Love Affair”, and “Love or Let Me Be Lonely”. “Cool Night” was a smooth and mellow song, reflecting on a romantic night with a lover. The song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. “’65 Love Affair” was a nostalgic and upbeat song, reminiscing about a teenage romance in the 1960s. The song was his highest-charting single, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and No. 7 on the Adult Contemporary chart. “Love or Let Me Be Lonely” was a remake of a 1970 hit by The Friends of Distinction, and peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Davis also ventured into country music in the mid-1980s, collaborating with female country singers Marie Osmond and Tanya Tucker. He sang a duet with Osmond, “You’re Still New to Me”, which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1986. He also sang a duet with Tucker, “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love”, which also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1988. These were his last charting singles, as he retired from the music industry shortly after.
Death and Legacy
Davis died of a heart attack on April 22, 2008, at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi. He was 60 years old. He had suffered from diabetes and heart problems for several years, and had undergone a quadruple bypass surgery in 1986. He was survived by his wife, Caroline, and his daughter, Caroline. He was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian, Mississippi.
Davis left behind a legacy of songs that touched the hearts of millions of listeners. His songs were covered by many artists, such as Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, Paul Anka, and Barry Manilow. His songs were also featured in movies and TV shows, such as Happy Gilmore, The Break-Up, The Office, and Supernatural. He was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2002, and received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Arts Commission in 2009.
Paul Davis was a singer of songs and a teller of tales, who sang with passion and sincerity. He was a versatile and talented artist, who explored different musical styles and genres. He was a master of melodies and emotions, who created songs that were timeless and universal. He was a singer who made people go crazy with love.
