O.V. Wright Biography
Overton Vertis Wright, 9 October 1939, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, d. 16 November 1980, USA. One of deep soul's most impressive stylists, O.V. Wright's first recordings were in the gospel tradition and it was while a member of the Harmony Echoes that he became acquainted with Roosevelt Jamison. This aspiring songwriter penned the singer's secular debut, "That's How Strong My Love Is", an impassioned ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. Signed to Don Robey's Back Beat label, Wright's plaintive delivery excelled on slow material, as two imploring R&B hits, "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (1965) and "Eight Men, Four Women" (1967), testified. Wright's next single, "Heartaches, Heartaches" (1967), confirmed a working relationship with producer Willie Mitchell, but despite excellent collaborations in "Ace Of Spades" (1970), "A Nickel And A Nail" (1971) and "I'd Rather Be (Blind, Crippled And Crazy)" (1973), the singer was unable to reach a wider audience. Imprisoned for narcotics offences during the mid-70s, he re-emerged on the Hi Records in 1975, but intense recordings here, including "Rhymes" (1976) and "I Feel Love Growin'" (1978), met a similar fate. Hard living and a continuing drug problem weakened his health and in 1980, O.V. Wright died from a heart attack. For many he remains one of southern soul's most authoritative and individual artists.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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