Daryl Coley, American gospel singer, Died at 60

  Music

Daryl Lynn Coley was born on October 30, 1955, and died on March 16, 2016.

He was an American Christian singer.

At the age of 14, he was a member of the nationally acclaimed ensemble Helen Stephens And The Voices Of Christ.

Daryl Coley started performing with Edwin Hawkins in the Edwin Hawkins Singers and then worked with James Cleveland, Tramaine Hawkins, Sylvester, Pete Escovedo and others.

His albums of his include Just Daryl, He’s Right On Time: Live From Los Angeles, When The Music Stops and others.

Ultimately he began performing with Edwin Hawkins in the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

Coley played keyboards for The Hawkins Family from 1977 until he left to collaborate with James Cleveland in 1983.

Then, he served as musical director for Tramaine Hawkins when she launched her solo career.

Eventually, Daryl Coley branched out in secular circles, singing in jazz clubs, working with artists like Sylvester, Pete Escovedo, and others.

Further on in his career, he collaborated with jazz artists such as Nancy Wilson and Rodney Franklin, and pop artists such as Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire fame.

Daryl released his solo debut album, Just Daryl, originally released in 1986 on First Epistle/Plumline Records, in 1986.

That particular album was nominated for a Grammy award and was later re-released in 2006.

Following the success of “Just Daryl”, he moved to gospel stardom, releasing critically acclaimed albums highlighting his jazz-infused vocal stylings.

During 1990, he released the song ‘He’s Right On Time: Live From Los Angeles with Sparrow Records, climbing to the #3 spot on the gospel charts.

‘When The Music Stops’ was another album he released in 1992, reached #1 on the gospel charts.

During 1991, when his albums released under Sparrow Records were gaining national success, Coley fell sick, experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Following a visit to his doctor (more than two weeks later), he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, which caused him temporary blindness.

He had struggled with diabetes.

Daryl Coley passed away at 60 yrs old.