Sam Dees -

Sam Dees is an American soul singer, songwriter, producer, and keyboardist who cut ten singles between 1968 and his 1975 album The Show Must Go On. Dees wrote R&B hits for Larry Graham (“One in a Million You”), Gladys Knight & the Pips (“Save the Overtime (For Me)”), Loleatta Holloway (“Cry to Me”), L.T.D. (“Where Did We Go Wrong”), and Atlantic Starr (“Send for Me”). In 1981, Aretha Franklin charted with the Dees-penned “Love All the Hurt Away,” a duet with George Benson.

Background

Sam Dees was born December 17, 1945, in Birmingham, Alabama, as one of thirteen children. He entered local singing contests as a child and formed the Bossanovians at age nine. Dees wrote poetry and songs from age ten and performed outside Birmingham as a teenager.

Dees developed his early repertoire in advance of his move to Nashville, where he linked with producer William Crump. The two began a songwriting partnership that led to sessions for SSS International.

Discography:

Albums

The Show Must Go On (1975)
Secret Admirer (1988)
Second to None (archival, 1995)
The Heritage of a Black Man (archival, 1998)

Singles

“I Need You Girl” (b/w “Lonely for You Baby”) — SSS International, February 1968
“It’s All Right (It’s All Wrong)” (b/w “Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On”) — Lo Lo, August 1969
“Easier to Say Than Do” (b/w “Soul Sister”) — Lo Lo, March 1970
“Can You Be a One Man Woman” (b/w “Put You Back in Your Place”) — Chess, 1971
“Love Starvation” (b/w “Maryanna”) — Chess, 1971
“I’m So Very Glad” (b/w “Claim Jumpin’”) — Clintone, November 1972
“I’m So Very Glad” (b/w “Just Out of My Reach”) — Atlantic, July 1973
“So Tied Up” (b/w “Signed Miss Heroin”) — Atlantic, November 1973
“Worn Out Broken Heart” (b/w “Come Back Strong”) — Atlantic, September 1974
“The Show Must Go On” (b/w “Child of the Streets”) — Atlantic, January 1975