Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was the lead singer for the musical group "The Main Ingredient" and to the following generation as the father of an Oscar-winning actor, Cuba Gooding, Jr. In 1971 he took over as lead singer in The Main Ingredient replacing Donald McPherson, who died of leukemia. The group had had a a string of moderate soul hits, the best of which was "Spinning Around." As the new lead singer, the group scored what would be its signature hit, "Everybody Plays a Fool," in 1972, it shot to the top of the Pop and Soul charts. The group landed another major crossover hit in 1974 with a remake of Ronnie Dyson's "Just Don't Wanna Be Lonely" and hit the Soul top 10 with "Happiness is Just Around the Bend." In 1977, he went solo and recorded solo albums. He landed a minor hit with “Mind Pleaser,” before reuniting with the group in 1980, he also recorded an unusual cover of the classic "I Only Have Eyes For You." The group came together in several forms and continued to record separately, but by the mid 80's their hitmaking days as an act were over. So again he went solo, occasionally recording, but at the lower end of the R&B charts. As a top actor and Oscar winning performances, his son Cuba Gooding, Jr. gave a boost to the senior Gooding’s touring career, he delivered and provided his new audience with always tasty old school soul and a voice that sounded terrific. He continued to perform in multi-artist soul acts well into this decade. He was 72 when he was found unresponsive in his car.
Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was the lead singer for the musical group "The Main Ingredient" and to the following generation as the father of an Oscar-winning actor, Cuba Gooding, Jr. In 1971 he took over as lead singer in The Main Ingredient replacing Donald McPherson, who died of leukemia. The group had had a a string of moderate soul hits, the best of which was "Spinning Around." As the new lead singer, the group scored what would be its signature hit, "Everybody Plays a Fool," in 1972, it shot to the top of the Pop and Soul charts. The group landed another major crossover hit in 1974 with a remake of Ronnie Dyson's "Just Don't Wanna Be Lonely" and hit the Soul top 10 with "Happiness is Just Around the Bend." In 1977, he went solo and recorded solo albums. He landed a minor hit with “Mind Pleaser,” before reuniting with the group in 1980, he also recorded an unusual cover of the classic "I Only Have Eyes For You." The group came together in several forms and continued to record separately, but by the mid 80's their hitmaking days as an act were over. So again he went solo, occasionally recording, but at the lower end of the R&B charts. As a top actor and Oscar winning performances, his son Cuba Gooding, Jr. gave a boost to the senior Gooding’s touring career, he delivered and provided his new audience with always tasty old school soul and a voice that sounded terrific. He continued to perform in multi-artist soul acts well into this decade. He was 72 when he was found unresponsive in his car.
Bio by: Babe
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