Biography
19 November 1939, USA, d. 10 September 2004, USA. In his youth Lewis travelled extensively, leading to doubts about his place of birth. Some sources suggest this was Nashville, Tennessee, although Itta Bena, Mississippi, seems more likely. While still young, he settled in Los Angeles where he became interested in making a career in music, in particular developing a talent for writing lyrics. He made records for various small labels, enjoying modest success for Era Records with ‘Wait Until Spring’ and ‘What Can I Do Now’. In the mid-60s he joined Bill Pinkney, Gerhart Thrasher and Bobby Hollis in the Drifters. Later in the 60s, he teamed up with Ray Charles to record a duet, ‘If It Wasn’t For Bad Luck’. Lewis’ relationship with Charles was very successful and in 1969 he was co-composer and arranger for Charles’ Grammy Award-nominated Doing His Thing. Lewis also recorded several 45s for Charles’ Tangerine Records and...
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