Jesse Belvin – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Jesse Belvin Biography

Jesse Belvin was an American singer, pianist and songwriter popular in the 1950s. He is known for his songs “Goodnight My Love” and “Dream Girl”.

Jesse was born in San Antonio, Texas, and relocated to Los Angeles, California, with his family when he was five years old. He was singing in church at the age of seven. In his early teens, he found R&B and joined jazz saxophonist Big Jay McNeely’s backing vocal quartet Three Dots and a Dash in 1950.

Jesse’s falsetto was placed front and center in his debut release, 1950’s “All the Wine Is Gone,” and the response was so strong that his name was placed directly under McNeely’s on the B-side of the group’s following single, “Sad Story.” Belvin and bandmate Marvin Phillips signed to Specialty Records in 1952. They released four songs, the first three of which were credited to Jesse Belvin and failed to chart: “Baby Don’t Go,” “One Little Blessing,” and “Love of My Life.” The last, “Dream Girl,” was credited to Jesse & Marvin and reached number two on the R&B charts in 1953, with Belvin on piano and vocals and Phillips on saxophone.

Jesse’s career appeared to be on the rise until he was drafted just as it was about to take off. He penned “Earth Angel” while on leave at home, inspired by a young white woman who resided near him. The song was later recorded by the Penguins, a semi-professional doo wop four, and became one of the first R&B songs to reach the mainstream charts, selling a million copies between late 1954 and early 1955. A litigation later arose about the song’s authorship and origins, which took almost two years to resolve; Belvin was given one-third credit for the song, alongside Curtis Williams of the Penguins and a third performer who claimed to have written it.

He was a prolific songwriter, but his commercial strategy was sloppy. He wrote songs as a way of making quick money during a time when a tightly protected copyright might earn millions of dollars, and he regularly sold them outright to others for as little as $100. As a result, he was responsible for dozens of songs on the demo or guide track as a composer and performer, just a few of which he was given credit for.

Jesse recorded twelve singles for Modern, the most popular of which being “Goodnight My Love.” In 1958, he was back on the road, recording under his own name for Knight, Class, and Jamie Records, as well as for the Aladdin label with the Sharptones. But it was a group called the Shields, which George Mottola had formed to record on his own Tender label, that brought him the most success that year. The Shields’ only single with Jesse was “You Cheated,” which had already been recorded by a white group known as the Slades; the Shields’ version was the more popular, reaching number 15 on the pop charts in the summer of 1958.

He joined RCA Records in 1959, inspired by his wife and manager Jo Ann, and instantly had a Top 40 hit with “Guess Who,” penned by his wife. This song began as a love letter from her to him, and he transformed it into the smash hit that it is today.

Jesse and his wife died in a head-on collision in Hope, Arkansas on February 6, 1960, after ending a concert. The performance was the first in Little Rock history to be held in front of an integrated crowd, and it was interrupted twice by whites in the audience shouting racist epithets and begging the white teens in attendance to leave immediately. Police feared the car had been tampered with, according to journalists.

Jesse Belvin Discography

Brook Benton, Jessie BelvinSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
But Not ForgottenSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Jesse Belvin ‎(CD, Album, RM)SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Jesse Belvin Featuring Art Pepper With Marty Paich Orchestra – Mr. EasySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Casual SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Just Jesse Belvin SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Unforgettable Jesse BelvinSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Was The Popularity Of Jesse Belvin?

Jesse Belvin was a popular singer and songwriter in the early 1950s. His hits include “Goodnight, My Love” and “Gotta Lotta Livin’ to Do.” He also wrote and recorded the song “Please, Mr. Postman,” which became a hit for The Marvelettes in 1961. Belvin’s career was cut short by his untimely death in a car accident in 1960. Nevertheless, his music has continued to influence generations of singers and songwriters.

Which Song Did Jesse Belvin Win The Award For?

“I Believe” is the song that won Jesse Belvin the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording in 1960. The song was written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman. It was originally recorded by Frankie Laine in 1953.

Who Wrote The Song “Guess Who” By Jesse Belvin?

The song “Guess Who” was written by Jesse Belvin and Jerry Leiber. It was first recorded by American R&B singer Bobby Day in 1958. The song became a hit for Day, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Guess Who” has been covered by many other artists over the years, including the Beatles, the Temptations, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

What Kind Of Songs Did He Sing?

The songs that he typically sang were ballads and love songs. He didn’t really sing any other type of song.

What Songs Did Jesse Belvin Write?

Belvin’s albums feature a mix of R&B, pop, and rock and roll tunes. His smooth vocals and easygoing style made him a favorite among music fans of all ages. Today, Belvin’s music continues to entertain and inspire new generations of listeners.,Some of the songs that Jesse Belvin wrote include “Goodnight My Love,” “I Want to Be Loved,” and “Guess Who.” He also wrote a number of gospel songs, including “Lord Help Me to Hold Out.” In addition to his own compositions, Belvin also co-wrote several songs with other artists, including “Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad (About My Baby)” with The Cookies.

Most Searched For Jesse Belvin Songs

Goodnight My LoveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Dream GirlSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I’m in LoveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Let Me DreamSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Guess WhoSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
You Send MeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Hang Your Tears Out To Dry aka dry your tearsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Girl of My DreamsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Confusin’ Blues aka Jesse’s BluesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
(I Love You For) Sentimental ReasonsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon