Irving Lee Dorsey, a popular R&B singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s, died on Dec. 2, 1986. Dorsey collaborated with artists such as James Brown, the Beatles and Fats Domino.

Born in New Orleans, Dorsey served in the Navy during World War II and was an undefeated lightweight boxer who went by the name Kid Chocolate

In 1955, Dorsey became an automobile repairman who focused on body and fender work. He was working in an auto shop in New Orleans when he was discovered by talent scout Reynauld Richard. 

Dorsey recorded his first song, “Rock Pretty Baby,” in 1957  and shortly after recorded the song, “Lottie Mo,“ which featured legendary New Orleans musician and producer  Allen Toussaint on piano. 

“To see him in those greasy clothes with a voice coming out like that, full of joy and smiles; it was really interesting. We hit it off right away,” Toussaint said in a 1986 Associated Press article about Dorsey. 

Toussaint would also work with Dorsey on several other songs including the 1961 record, “Ya Ya,” which reached No.1 on the R&B charts and No.7 on the Hot 100 pop chart. The song, Dorsey’s first gold record, was later adapted by British singer Petula Clark, making the song an international hit.

The singer went on to record more hit singles including “Ride Your Pony,” and “Do-Re Mi.” Dorsey’s song,  “Working in a Coal Mine,” became his second gold record and his hit, “Night People,” was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 10 best recordings of 1977. That same year he was hit by a car and suffered two broken legs. It was reported that he performed at the 1980 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival from a wheelchair. 

Throughout his career, Dorsey continued to work in an auto shop in between recording and touring gigs. 

His songs were covered by several musicians including John Lennon, Ike and Tina Turner and Harry Connick Jr. His music has also been sampled by a number of hip-hop artists such as De La Soul, Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Dorsey died in New Orleans on Dec 2, 1986 from complications from emphysema. He was 59.

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Shannon Stecker is a creative writer, a marketing director, and a lover of stories. She has spent the past 15 years of her career in a creative space – as a print and broadcast journalist, a freelance...