S.O.D. "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey

10/16/2016     Keeping the tunes going after 61 years, this guitarist/vocalist was the first white artist to perform on Soul Train and this 1971 gold certified instrumental was the song he played.  Coffey was also one of the first white musicians to focus mainly on R&B, soul, funk and disco.  

     After learning guitar at the age of 13, he played rhythm guitar for Vic Gallon on the song "I'm Gone" at age 15 which was his first recording session.  As a studio musician he played with many artists and did extensive work for Motown.  In his hometown of Detroit he contributed often, playing many venues including the famous Bakers Keyboard Lounge.  You can see him in the 2012 film "Searching for Sugar Man" which revolves around folk rock singer songwriter Sixto Rodriguez.

     Coffey has released 14 albums and nine notable singles with "Scorpio" reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.