Van McCoy: 1940 - 1979

Van McCoy - Disco Baby.  The more I read about Van McCoy - the more impressed I am with his talents.  Such as - he took the theme from the hit TV show Star Trek and funked it up.  Click on post title for a clip of that.  Last winter, she and I saw the Armstrong/Ellington tribute concert by the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, featuring (then) music director and first trumpet Jon Faddis.  Faddis has trumpet credits on The Real McCoy (above right).  Born Van Allen Clinton McCoy (January 6, 1940 – July 6, 1979), "hit for the cycle," meaning he was a musician, producer, arranger, songwriter, and conductor.  Quincy Jones level?  Maybe not - but in those very few years - he was prolific.  Best known for his writing "The Hustle", the ubiquitous disco hit.  I read that Van owns over 700 song copyrights.  He has also produced records and songs for Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Stylistics, Aretha Franklin, Brenda & The Tabulations, David Ruffin, Peaches & Herb, and many others.