About Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway ( October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979) was an African-American soul musician best known for his duets with Roberta Flack. Born in Chicago, he grew up in St. Louis and played piano, earning a fine arts scholarship to Howard University in 1964. He was offered jobs in the music industry before graduating, and left school after only three years.
He worked as songwriter, session musician and producer for The Staple Singers, Jerry Butler and Aretha Franklin, as well as with Curtis Mayfield. His debut solo single was "I Thank You Baby", a duet with June Conquest, followed by the influential (though only a minor hit) "The Ghetto, Pt. 1". His debut LP was Everything Is Everything ( 1970), which was critically acclaimed. His second album, Donny Hathaway, was a major hit and was followed by an acclaimed album of duets with label mate Roberta Flack which included a hit version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" and the self penned "Where Is The Love". Hathaway also began working on soundtracks but his output would slow down in the mid 70s as depression set in. In the late 70s Hathaway renewed his collaboration with Flack spawning the hit "The Closer I Get to You" ( 1978). More recording was set to follow with the duo, but Hathaway was found dead in an apparent suicide in 1979. He was discovered on the sidewalk below the 15th floor window of his room in a New York City hotel.