D.J. Rogers -

D.J. Rogers is an American soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles who debuted in 1973 and made eight albums through 1982, scoring a 1978 R&B hit with “Love Brought Me Back.”

Background

D.J. Rogers was born DeWayne Julius Rogers on May 9, 1948, in Los Angeles, California. He was the eldest of six children of Eula Rogers and Rev. Julius Cesar Rogers. His father served as a minister and choir director at the House of Refuge Church of God in Christ. His paternal grandmother, Theresa Margaret Rogers of Greenville, Texas, wrote plays and musicals. Rogers began singing at age three in the House of Refuge congregation. He taught himself piano without formal lessons.

Rogers toured with the Los Angeles Community Choir under director Harrison Johnson. He appeared on five Savoy albums with the ensemble and sang lead on “I Decided to Make Jesus My Choice.” Rogers also performed and recorded with Rev. James Cleveland. In 1968, XERB gospel broadcaster Sylvester “Duke” Henderson formed the Watts Community Choir and hired Rogers as music director. Rogers wrote five of nine songs for the choir’s 1970 Proverb album We Need More Love, which he produced and choral-arranged.

By 1971, Rogers left gospel work for secular music. He used his own money to cut demos at Ray Charles’ RPM International Studios with engineer David Braithwaite. Rogers secured a contract with Leon Russell and Denny Cordell at Shelter Records after the demos reached the label.

Discography: