Founding Fathers: Jesse Belvin

Jesse Belvin - Goodnight My Love (Jamie Records, 1956)

Mostly known for writing the Penguins‘ hit, “Earth Angel,” Jesse Belvin was an influential singer and songwriter during his abbreviated career.

Born in Arkansas in 1933 and transplanted in LA by the time he was five, Jesse Belvin bounced from doo-wop group to doo-wop group at the beginning of his career until he teamed with saxophonist Marvin Phillips to score a 1953 hit, “Dream Girl,” as Jesse and Marvin.

After years of legal wrangling, he was finally given credit for co-writing his hit “Goodnight My Love” and the Penguins’ “Earth Angel.”

With another hit single, “Guess Who” on the charts and an album ready for release, Belvin’s career came to a tragic end in 1960. Having just performed at the first integrated concert in the history of Little Rock, Arkansas, a scene charged with volatility and anger, Belvin and his wife, Jo Anne, were driving out of the city when they were struck head-on by another car and killed instantly. Belvin had received a number of death threats before the concert so there was some speculation that his car had been tampered with that night. But nothing was every proven.

Known as “Mr. Easy” for his smooth R&B style, Belvin was a major influence on singers like Sam Cooke. He was 27 when he died.