I was just listening to The Main
Ingredient this past week. Little did I know that it was a foreshadowing of
events to occur in just a few days.
Today it was announced that Cuba
Gooding Sr., lead singer of The Main Ingredient (and father of actors Omar
and Cuba Gooding Jr.), died in Woodland Hills of a possible drug overdose. Cuba
Sr. was 72 years of age.
Cuba Sr. stepped into the role of lead singer of The Main
Ingredient in 1971, upon the unexpected death of Don McPherson of leukemia.
In 1971, The Main Ingredient released its breakout hit Everybody
Plays the Fool, with Cuba Sr. singing lead. The song made number 2 on the
R&B chart and sold over one million copies. It was their biggest hit,
followed in 1974 by Just Don't Want to Be Lonely, which also sold over one
million copies.
Cuba Sr. left The Main Ingredient in 1977 to pursue a solo
career. His Happiness is Just Around the Bend was a solid success in 1983. He
also had a minor acting career, following in the footsteps of his sons.
Cuba Sr. had a unique and most memorable voice, and it will live
on in our musical memories.
© 04/20/2017
