Ronnie Dyson was a talented soul and R&B singer and actor who had a promising career in the 1960s and 1970s. He was best known for his role in the Broadway musical Hair, and his hit songs such as “(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can’t I Touch You?” and “The More You Do It (The More I Like It Done to Me)”. However, his life was cut short by a heart failure at the age of 40. What was the cause of his death and how did it affect his fans and peers? Here is a brief overview of his life and legacy.
Early Life and Career
Ronnie Dyson was born on June 5, 1950 in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he sang in church choirs. At 18 years of age, he won a lead role in the Broadway production of Hair, debuting in New York in 1968. He became an iconic voice of the 1960s with the lead vocal in the show’s anthem of the hippie era, “Aquarius”. He also made a cameo appearance in the 1979 film version of Hair, singing “3-5-0-0” with another Hair alumnus, Melba Moore. According to Wikipedia, he also appeared in the 1969 film Putney Swope.
After Hair, Dyson pursued his stage career with a role in Salvation in 1970. His recording of a song from the Salvation score, “(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can’t I Touch You?”, successfully launched his record career, breaking into the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eight in 1970. The follow-up, “I Don’t Wanna Cry”, was also a US R&B hit, climbing to number nine.
Success and Struggles
In 1971, his cover, “When You Get Right Down to It”, was a more dramatic version of a song that had been a hit the previous year for the Delfonics; it reached number 34 on the UK Singles Chart in December. His record company, Columbia Records, sent him to Philadelphia in 1973 to be produced by Thom Bell, one of the premier producers of the day, for several tracks. Bell’s highly orchestrated style suited Dyson with hits including “One Man Band (Plays All Alone)”, which reached number 28 on the Hot 100 and number 15 on the R&B chart, and “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely”, peaking at number 60 on the Hot 100 and number 29 on R&B.
Dyson remained with Columbia working with top-line producers for another three albums, The More You Do It (1976), Love in All Flavors (1977) and If the Shoe Fits (1979). The title track of the first of the three resulted in one of the singer’s biggest-selling records, reaching number six on the R&B chart. It was produced by Charles “Chuck” Jackson (half brother of Jesse Jackson and no relation to the more famous singer of the same name) and Marvin Yancy, who had been responsible for successfully launching the career of Natalie Cole with a series of hits.
However, Dyson also faced some challenges in his personal and professional life. He struggled with drug addiction and depression, which affected his health and performance. He also had difficulties finding a stable relationship and fathered two children out of wedlock. He moved to Cotillion Records in the ’80s, but didn’t have much success there. He also tried to revive his stage career with roles in The Wiz and Dreamgirls, but failed to make an impact.
Death and Legacy
Dyson died on November 10, 1990 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania due to heart failure; he was only 40 years old. According to Mental Itch, his death was a shock to many of his fans and peers who admired his talent and charisma. He left behind a legacy of soulful songs that touched many hearts and influenced many artists. His voice was described by one critic as “different from all other falsettos” and “embodied in a talent that was destined to become the supreme superstar of the 1970s”. His songs have been covered by artists such as Johnny Mathis, Reuben Wilson, Billy Paul, Barrington Levy, John Holt and Freddie McGregor.
Ronnie Dyson may have left us too soon, but his music lives on as a testament to his passion and talent. He will always be remembered as one of the brightest stars of soul and R&B music.
