Douglas Burnett Gibbs is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and session musician, who had a hit on the Billboard soul chart in 1972 with "I'll Always Have You There". He had also done work with Little Richard, Billy Preston and Chuck Jackson. A song he co-composed with Ralph Johnson has been sampled by Jay-Z for his hit "Song Cry".
Doug Gibbs | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Douglas Burnett Gibbs |
| Genres | Soul |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 1970s |
| Labels | Oak |
Career
editGibbs had various roles on the Ray Ruff produced Christian rock opera album Truth of Truths, which was released on the Oak label in 1971.[1] Also that year Billy Preston's album, I Wrote a Simple Song was released. He was one of the background vocalists.[2]
In 1972, his single "I'll Always Have You There" bw "Cloudy Day" was released on Oak OR-108. Both sides were co-written by himself and Bruce Fisher. The producer was Ernie Freeman.[3] In the September 2, 1972 issue of Billboard Magazine, it was reported that his single was getting heavy airplay in Chicago and San Francisco.[4] On September 9, it had entered the chart at #37.[5] Now at its fifth week in the Billboard charts, the song finally peaked at #25 on October 7, 1972.[6][7] It entered the Cashbox R&B Top 60 at 45 on September 23.[8] On October 14, it was at #32, just behind "One Life to Live" by The Manhattans.[9] He appeared on Soul Train in an episode that aired on November 11, 1972. Other guests on the show were Friends of Distinction, The Persuaders and actor William Marshall.[10]
He contributed to Chuck Jackson's Through All Times album which was released on ABC in 1973. As well as background vocals, he co-wrote "Through All Times" with Bob Siller.[11] The same year, Genie Brown's album A Woman Alone was released on the Dunhill label. Two of his compositions, "Wrapped In Love" and "You And Me" appeared on the album.[12][13]
Gibbs contributed heavily to Bobby Glenn's 1976 album Shout It Out which was released on Koala KST-5004 in 1976. In addition to co-producing and co-arranging the album, he composed "Morning Song" and co-composed six others. he also played piano, electric piano, and clavinet on the recordings.[14] Years later, a song from the album "Sounds Like a Love Song", which he and Ralph Johnson wrote,[15] would be sampled by Jay-Z for his hit "Song Cry".[16]
Discography
edit| Act | Title | Label | Year | Format | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Gibbs | "I'll Always Have You There" / "Cloudy Day" | Oak OR-108 | 1972 | 45 RPM single | [19] |
| Douglas Gibbs Feat. Michael James Hilley |
"I Am Here" | Chitty Chitty Music Dobugi Records (190394911348) |
2016 | Digital single | [20][21] |
Television and film
edit| Title | Episode | Role | Director | Date | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Train | Season 2, Episode 10 The Friends of Distinction The Persuaders, Doug Gibbs |
Himself | Don Buccola | 1972 | |
| Unsung | Billy Preston | Himself | Anthony Storm | 2011 | As Douglas Gibbs[22] |
| Precious | Songwriter "My Good Lovin" |
Lee Daniels | 2009 | As Douglas Gibbs[23] |
References
edit- ^ Discogs - Various – Truth Of Truths
- ^ Discogs - Billy Preston – I Wrote A Simple Song
- ^ 45Cat - Doug Gibbs - Discography
- ^ Billboard, September 2, 1972 - Page 32 & 36 SOUL SAUCE
- ^ Billboard, September 9, 1972 - Page 16 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles
- ^ Billboard, October 7, 1972 - Page 25 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles
- ^ Billboard - DOUG GIBBS, Chart History
- ^ Cashbox, September 23, 1972 - Page 32 CashBox R&B TOP 60
- ^ Cashbox, October 14, 1972 - Page 37 CashBox R&B TOP 60
- ^ TV.com - Soul Train Season 2 Episode 10, Friends of Distinction / The Persuaders / Doug Gibbs
- ^ Discogs - Chuck Jackson – Through All Times
- ^ Discogs - Genie Brown – A Woman Alone
- ^ AllMusic - Genie Brown, A Woman Alone , Track Listing
- ^ Discogs - Bobby Glenn – Shout It Out
- ^ Discogs - Bobby Glenn – Shout It Out
- ^ AllMusic - Jay Z, The Blueprint, Track Listing, Song Cry
- ^ Word from the Mother: Language and African Americans, By Geneva Smitherman - - "Song Cry"
- ^ Mantra.com - Chitty Chitty Music Publishers
- ^ 45Cat - Doug Gibbs - Discography
- ^ itunes.apple.com - I Am Here (feat. Michael James Hilley) - Single
- ^ CD Baby - Douglas Gibbs > I Am Here
- ^ Imdb - Soul Train (1971– ), The Friends of Distinction/The Persuaders/Doug Gibbs
- ^ Imdb - Douglas Gibbs, Filmography