David Cortez Clowney, known by the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez (born Augu… Read Full Bio ↴David Cortez Clowney, known by the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez (born August 13, 1938, Detroit, Michigan), is an American pop and R&B organist and pianist.
Clowney attended Northwestern High School in Detroit. His father played the piano, and encouraged him to pursue a musical career. Clowney played the piano for 10 years, then he took up the organ.
Clowney made his first record in 1956 under his own name but it was not until three years later that he scored a major success using the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez. His instrumental, "The Happy Organ", was the first pop/rock hit to feature the electronic organ as lead instrument; it featured drummer Gary Hammond and was co-written by noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Kurt Wood. The guitar solo is by session musician Wild Jimmy Spruill. The 45 rpm single was the first instrumental No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. Clowney became the first African-American artist to have an instrumental #1 hit. Before making his big break with an instrumental record, Clowney had sung with two doo-wop groups, the Pearls and the Valentines.
The original 45 rpm single was released on the independent Clock Records label but the LP which featured it was released by RCA Victor by arrangement with Clock.
Cortez had another Top Ten hit in 1962 with "Rinky Dink" on Chess Records. This record became well known in the UK as the signature tune of the Saturday afternoon programme Professional Wrestling, introduced by Kent Walton, although few knew the name of the tune or the artist. The song has a strong resemblance to 1957's "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia, since it used the same guitar riff.
In 2011, after a 39-year hiatus from recording, Cortez returned with a new album on Norton Records backed by Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds, including underground luminary Mick Collins of the Dirtbombs and the Gories.
Clowney attended Northwestern High School in Detroit. His father played the piano, and encouraged him to pursue a musical career. Clowney played the piano for 10 years, then he took up the organ.
Clowney made his first record in 1956 under his own name but it was not until three years later that he scored a major success using the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez. His instrumental, "The Happy Organ", was the first pop/rock hit to feature the electronic organ as lead instrument; it featured drummer Gary Hammond and was co-written by noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Kurt Wood. The guitar solo is by session musician Wild Jimmy Spruill. The 45 rpm single was the first instrumental No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. Clowney became the first African-American artist to have an instrumental #1 hit. Before making his big break with an instrumental record, Clowney had sung with two doo-wop groups, the Pearls and the Valentines.
The original 45 rpm single was released on the independent Clock Records label but the LP which featured it was released by RCA Victor by arrangement with Clock.
Cortez had another Top Ten hit in 1962 with "Rinky Dink" on Chess Records. This record became well known in the UK as the signature tune of the Saturday afternoon programme Professional Wrestling, introduced by Kent Walton, although few knew the name of the tune or the artist. The song has a strong resemblance to 1957's "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia, since it used the same guitar riff.
In 2011, after a 39-year hiatus from recording, Cortez returned with a new album on Norton Records backed by Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds, including underground luminary Mick Collins of the Dirtbombs and the Gories.
The Shift
Dave 'Baby' Cortez Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'The Shift' by these artists:
10 Years I didn't feel the change But don't feel the same I never…
Dave I trapped on the night shift I seen my uncle addicted…
Eye of the Enemy Promises made an oath sworn with pride never to stray far…
G-Alessandro We are gathered in your name Jesus Christ, come, have your…
MEZ Late night thirst but I'm stuck on the night shift Brain…
Nerfonator What? I jolt with a cold sweat Heavy breathing creeping thro…
S.S.T. Band I believe in some ghosts I can't seem to see others It's…
Samhain the shift starts your spine stiffens you break out in a cold…
Self Deception Burning tires and a stolen car I fucked up so bad…
The Beach Boys Check out the chick with the new dress on (Wearin' a…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Dave 'Baby' Cortez:
Come See About Me I've been crying 'Cause I'm lonely (for you) Smiles have all…
Come Softly To Me I've been crying 'Cause I'm lonely (for you) Smiles have all…
Happy Organ The best things in life are free But you can keep…
Peg Leg peg leg! everyone's doing it like they should one leg down…
You Talk Too Much You talk too much, you worry me to death, You talk…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Paul Riofski
This followed his early hits on Clock in 1959 ("The Happy Organ" and "The Whistling Organ") but predated his second biggest hit on Chess in 1962 ("Rinky Dink"). Interesting post, Charles!
Sisyphus's apprentice
Didn't know he made any vocal recordings. Happy Organ and Rinky Dink were popular at the time but nice to hear something a little different thanks.
Hugh Brackett
Same for me. I was thinking, Where's the organ