R&B/Rock Singer, Pianist. A talented musician from a very young age, he could sing, play the drums, and piano. Born in Washington, D.C., Stewart began singing with his mother's group, 'the Stewart Gospel Singers' as a teenager. He later changed from gospel to playing secular music when he would occasionally play with 'Don Covay and The Rainbows.' He went on and won a local talent contest by doing a rendition of George Gershwin's, "Summertime." At the contest, he was heard by Bo Diddley playing the piano and quickly offered a job as a backup singer with Diddley's group. In 1956 with Diddley's help, he was signed to Chess Records and released the song, "Billy's Blues." In 1957, he left Chess and joined Okeh Records for whom he recorded the song, "Billy's Heartaches." Between 1957 and 1962, he worked on numerous other activities including playing with Marvin Gaye and 'The Marques.' From 1962 to 1965, he recorded the songs, "Fat Boy" "Reap What You Sow" "How Nice It Is" "I Do Love You" "Secret Love" "Sitting In The Park" "Strange Feeling" "Count Me Out" and "Because I Love You." In 1966, he released the album "Unbelievable." Later, he had a hit when he re-recorded "Summertime" and it appeared on both the Top Ten and R&B charts. In 1969, he was plagued by diabetes and a weight gain, as well as a dwindling music career. In January 1970 while traveling down a road in North Carolina, his car veered off Interstate 95 and plunged into the Neuse River. Stewart and three bandmates perished in the accident.
R&B/Rock Singer, Pianist. A talented musician from a very young age, he could sing, play the drums, and piano. Born in Washington, D.C., Stewart began singing with his mother's group, 'the Stewart Gospel Singers' as a teenager. He later changed from gospel to playing secular music when he would occasionally play with 'Don Covay and The Rainbows.' He went on and won a local talent contest by doing a rendition of George Gershwin's, "Summertime." At the contest, he was heard by Bo Diddley playing the piano and quickly offered a job as a backup singer with Diddley's group. In 1956 with Diddley's help, he was signed to Chess Records and released the song, "Billy's Blues." In 1957, he left Chess and joined Okeh Records for whom he recorded the song, "Billy's Heartaches." Between 1957 and 1962, he worked on numerous other activities including playing with Marvin Gaye and 'The Marques.' From 1962 to 1965, he recorded the songs, "Fat Boy" "Reap What You Sow" "How Nice It Is" "I Do Love You" "Secret Love" "Sitting In The Park" "Strange Feeling" "Count Me Out" and "Because I Love You." In 1966, he released the album "Unbelievable." Later, he had a hit when he re-recorded "Summertime" and it appeared on both the Top Ten and R&B charts. In 1969, he was plagued by diabetes and a weight gain, as well as a dwindling music career. In January 1970 while traveling down a road in North Carolina, his car veered off Interstate 95 and plunged into the Neuse River. Stewart and three bandmates perished in the accident.
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