RIP David Lasley who died at age 74. Read more about the death of David Lasley. Learn about the cause of death David Lasley. WasDavid Lasleys fatal death a suicide? We explore the true facts. (2023)

David Lasley is confirmed dead at the age of 74.

If you treat everyone like David Lasley did, you will also be remembered fondly.

⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️⚱️

'The world will miss David💔

What did David Lasley do?

David was best known as a American singer-songwriter.

How did David Lasley die?

David Lasley's death was likely due to unknown.

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David Lasley
Birth name	David Eldon Lasley
Born	August 20, 1947 (age74) Sault Ste. Marie Michigan
Genres	Pop soul pop rock rock jazz blues rock folk rock folk Americana
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician actor
Labels	RCA, EMI
Associated acts	James Taylor Bonnie Raitt Chic Anita Baker Boz Scaggs Bette Midler Arif Mardin

David Eldon Lasley (born August 20, 1947) is an American recording artist, singer and songwriter best known for his contributions as a background singer for such artists as Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Luther Vandross, Chic, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Boz Scaggs and for songs he has written for artists including Bonnie Raitt, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Maxine Nightingale, Rita Coolidge, Crystal Gayle, and Luther Vandross, and his solo albums and albums with his 70s vocal group Rosie.

In 1980, David Lasley was signed by David Geffen to Geffen Records. At the time he was one of the chief staff writers at Irving Almo Music.

Contents

1 Early life

2 Career

2.1 Detroit, Fortune Records

2.2 Hair, Broadway

2.3 Rosie

2.4 Work with Luther Vandross

2.5 Work with James Taylor

2.6 Solo artist recordings

3 Discography

3.1 Solo discography

3.1.1 Singles

3.1.2 Albums

3.2 Selected songwriting credits

3.3 Selected credits

4 Filmography

5 References

6 External links

Early life

Lasley was born in Michigan, the son of Bernice and Roy Lasley. He grew up on a farm north of Grand Rapids.Lasley sang with his family in church and in his teens, put together an a cappella singing group called "The Utopias" with his sister Julie and Joan Hughes, and achieving some success in the Detroit area. As reported by Roger Bass in Billboard, The Utopias released their first recording “Girls Are Against Me” on the LaSalle label, distributed by Solid Hitbounds Productions.

Career

Performers that Lasley has worked with include Todd Rundgren, Melissa Manchester and Bonnie Raitt, who has recorded a number of Lasley's compositions.

Darlene Love related in an interview with HiFi Magazine how she met Luther Vandross through Lasley.

In Lenny Kravitz' book "Let Love Rule", Kravitz describes meeting Lasley, his generosity offering him a couch to sleep on, being mentored by Lasley with invaluable songwriting advice, and an introduction to Almo/Irving Music which lead to a publishing deal.Kravitz was privy to late-night phone calls between Luther Vandross and Lasley, made from Vandross' hotel room after shows.

Detroit, Fortune Records

Lasley would go to Detroit with his group to play the records they made themselves for local radio stations and to record labels looking for a deal. They were signed by Fortune Records releasing songs written by Lasley, including Good Friends Forever and Sally Bad. Music critic Dave Marsh, who referred Lasley to Fortune Records, says he was "compelled to mention Detroit roots".

Hair, Broadway

In 1970 he joined the cast of Hair, performing first in Detroit and then on tour. This led to a move to New York City, and performances on and off-Broadway.

Rosie

As the band Rosie, with Lynn Pitney and Lana Marrano also on vocals, Lasley released the album Better Late Than Never (RCA, 1976), which featured "Roll Me Through the Rushes", and then Last Dance (RCA, 1977).

Work with Luther Vandross

Lasley began his career as a back-up singer in 1970. Along with Luther Vandross, he performed on many of Chic's and Sister Sledge's recordings. In the '80's Lasley was the radio voice of commercials including Miller Beer and Seagram's Cooler.

Work with James Taylor

In 1977 Lasley began touring with James Taylor as a background vocalist. He also performed as background vocalist for Taylor's recording sessions.

Solo artist recordings

Lasley's debut solo album "Missin' Twenty Grand" was named after the club Twenty Grand miles north of Detroit where he and his sister used to sing for free. Lasley describes the album: "it's a lot about my teeenage years. I've often wanted to go back to Detroit".

The single "If I Had My Wish Tonight" spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 36 in May 1982. It was co-written by Dave Loggins, who had originally recorded the song in 1979, and Randy Goodrum.

Billboard Magazine First Time Around section states about "Missin' Twenty Grand": "Lasley, a session singer and writer, moves into the pop forefront with this collection of personal and sensitive songs. Lasley's unique falsetto vocal style works well on both pop and R&B accented tunes giving this LP broad appeal."

Billboard Reviews & Previews, writes of his 2000 album "Black to Blue-Eyed Soul": "Lasley delves through his vast catalog, breathing new life into 21 of his finest tunes. (...) Lasley neither mimics the original versions of his hits nor succumbs to the temptation to recast his material with trendy rhythms."

Glenn Hoskins and Barry Towler, Record Corner, write of Lasley's 2001 album "Expectations of Love": "David’s passionate and soaring falsetto is as good as ever and his ability to pen gorgeous songs founded in the best traditions of soul, jazz and Adult Pop has not deserted him. Lovers of quality soul / jazz vocals will be welcoming this with open arms."

Discography

Solo discography

Singles

"If I Had My Wish Tonight"

"It’s A Cryin Shame (Sha La La La La)"

"Teamwork"

Albums

Demos – (1981)

Missin' Twenty Grand – (1982)

Raindance – (1984)

Soldiers on the Moon – (1990)

Back to Blue-Eyed Soul – Collected Works/1966-1999 (2000)

Expectations of Love – (2001)

Demos Volume 2 – Take a Look – (2005)

Now And Again – (2006)

Selected songwriting credits

"All the Things I Love" – Debra Laws on Very Special

"Blue Side":

Crystal Gayle on Miss the Mississippi

Valerie Carter on Vanilla Grits

"Change All of That" – Arnold McCuller on Exception to the Rule

"Close Enough" – Dionne Warwick on Reservations for Two

"Cold, Cold Streets" – Feargal Sharkey on Wish

"Come What May" – Patti LaBelle on It's Alright With Me

"Crazy Love":

FAQs

What songs did David Lasley write? ›

Original songs

Title	Written by	Original date
Got to Find Love	David Lasley, Willie Wilcox	July 1981
Got You on My Mind	Allee Willis, David Lasley	1974
I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again	David Lasley, Julie Lasley	1989
I Don't Go Shopping	Peter Allen, David Lasley	1980

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Read The Full Story ›

Who wrote the song lead me on? ›

Lead Me On

Read The Full Story ›

What is the relationship between James Taylor and Carole King? ›

While it is a common assumption that King and James Taylorwere romantically involved and/or married, they never even dated. King credits Taylor for helping her build the confidence to perform for live audiences; up until their friendship, she was far more comfortable out of the spotlight.

Learn More ›

What happened to Valerie Carter? ›

Carter died of a heart attack on March 4, 2017, at the age of 64. The song "Valerie" recorded by Steve Winwood was reportedly about her, as was Jackson Browne's song "That Girl Could Sing".

See Details ›

Who played piano with James Taylor? ›

Mr. Grolnick toured and recorded as a backup musician for Linda Ronstadt, Steely Dan, Bette Midler, James Brown, Phoebe Snow, Luther Vandross, Carly Simon and Aaron Neville. He had worked with James Taylor since 1974 as pianist, band leader and producer.

What is the meaning of lead me? ›

3 tr to cause to act, feel, think, or behave in a certain way; induce; influence. he led me to believe that he would go.

Get More Info ›

When was lead me on written? ›

"Lead Me On" is a popular song which was a hit single for Maxine Nightingale in 1978.
...
Lead Me On (Maxine Nightingale song)

"Lead Me On"
Released	May 1979
Recorded	1978
Genre	Pop, R&B, soul
Length	2:48

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