Daryl Lynn Coley (October 30, 1955 – March 15, 2016) was an American Christian singer. At 14, Coley was a member of the ensemble "Helen Stephens and the Voices of Christ". He began performing with Edwin Hawkins in the Edwin Hawkins Singers and then worked with James Cleveland, Tramaine Hawkins, Sylvester, Pete Escovedo and others. Albums of his include Just Daryl, He's Right On Time: Live From Los Angeles, When The Music Stops and others.[1]
Coley was born in Berkeley, California on October 30, 1955.[2] In his childhood, he sang in the Oakland Children's Chorus, in Oakland, California.[3] His parents separated when he was five years old, with he and his two siblings being raised by his mother in a solid Christian home. Musically, Coley was first influenced by his mother. Daryl stated, "In my house there was gospel, classical and jazz. I had that kind of musical influence." During his childhood, he learned to play clarinet and piano.[1]
In 1968, when Edwin Hawkins released "Oh Happy Day", the contemporary arrangement caught Coley's ear. In December 1969, at the age of 13, Coley first heard Helen Stephens And The Voices Of Christ, and by February of the next year had become a member of the nationally acclaimed ensemble. During his high school years, Coley was a student of Phillip Reeder, Castleers choir director at Castlemont High School. Coley's musical horizons were widened by Reeder, who also encouraged him to enroll in college. As he continued his education in college, Coley's career developed further. He was a top student, was pursuing a business degree, and even helped out with the teaching of college courses.
In 1986, Coley released his solo debut album Just Daryl, originally released in 1986 on First Epistle/Plumline Records. The album was nominated for a Grammy award, and was later re-released in 2006. After the success of Just Daryl, he moved to gospel stardom, releasing critically acclaimed albums highlighting his jazz-infused vocal stylings. In 1990, Coley released He's Right On Time: Live From Los Angeles with Sparrow Records, climbing to the #3 spot on the gospel charts. His following album When The Music Stops, released in 1992, reached #1 on the gospel charts.[5]
In 1991, when his albums released under Sparrow Records were achieving national success, Coley fell sick, experiencing flu-like symptoms. When he visited his doctor (more than two weeks later), he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, which caused him temporary blindness. He continued to struggle with diabetes.[citation needed]
Deathedit
On March 15, 2016, Daryl Coley succumbed to diabetes and died in hospice care from renal failure. He was 60.[6]
Discographyedit
Just Daryl (1986)edit
Unless otherwise indicated, Information is taken from Allmusic.com[7]
Released in 1986 under the Alliant label, Just Daryl is Coley's debut solo album. It contains Coley's celebrated cover of J.C. White's "II Chronicles," also called This Is the Answer.
Scott V. Smith- Record Producer, Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements, Keyboards
Dayna Stockard- Alto Vocals
Donald Taylor- Tenor Vocals
Dorian Taylor- Soprano Vocals
Ron Taylor- Tenor Vocals
Felicia Terry- Soprano Vocals
Lucy Walker- Alto Vocals
Fred White- Background Vocals
Roderick White- Background Vocals
Tony Wilkins- Tenor Vocals
He's Right On Time: Live from Los Angeles (1990)edit
Unless otherwise indicated, Information is based on the Allmusic.com page for this album[11]
Coley's third album, He's Right On Time: Live from Los Angeles, was released under the Sparrow Records label. Notable songs include "I Can't Tell It All," "He's Right On Time" and "I Need Your Spirit".
When the Music Stops is Coley's second live album and his fourth overall. Released in 1992, it is also Coley's second album under Sparrow Records:
"You Can Do All Things" (Armirris Palmore) *Vocals arranged by Armirris Palmore
"Real" (Calvin Bernard Rhone) *Flugelhorn: Gary Grant
"He'll Make A Way" (Armirris Palmore) *Vocals arranged by Armirris Palmore *Choir Vocals: Voices of Integrity *Choir Coordinator: Keith Washington *Music conducted by Alexander Hamilton
"Don't Hold Back" (Darnell Givens, Derek Turner)
"Jesus Never Fails" (Daryl Coley) *Choir Vocals: Voices of Integrity *Choir Coordinator: Keith Washington *Music conducted by Alexander Hamilton
"In Times Like These" (Armirris Palmore) *Vocals arranged by Armirris Palmore
"When the Music Stops" (V. Michael McKay) *Music arranged by V. Michael McKay
"It Shall Be Done" (Daryl Coley) *Choir Vocals: Voices of Integrity *Choir Coordinator: Keith Washington *Music conducted by Alexander Hamilton
"Integrity" (V. Michael McKay) *Music arranged by V. Michael McKay *Strings arranged by Mark Gasbarro *Choir Vocals: Voices of Integrity *Choir Coordinator: Keith Washington *Music conducted by Alexander Hamilton
Personnel
Daryl Coley- Record Producer, Lead Vocals, Vocal arranger
Coley's sixth studio album is Beyond the Veil: Live at the Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion XIII. It is also his fourth live album. It was released in 1996 under Sparrow Records, and contains songs such as "Sweet Communion", "Lamb of God", and "Wonderful".
^Coley, Daryl. "I Need Your Spirit". Sparrow Records. 1990. http://www.allmusic.com/song/i-need-your-spirit-mt0052446591
^Coley, Daryl. "When the Music Stops (CD, Album)". Sparrow Records. 1992. https://www.discogs.com/Daryl-Coley-When-The-Music-Stops/release/8882754
^Coley, Daryl. "In My Dreams". Sparrow Records. 1994. http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-my-dreams-mw0000110369
^Coley, Daryl. "Beyond the Veil: Live at Bobby Jones Gospel XIII". Chordant Music Group/Forefront Records. 25 June 1996. http://www.allmusic.com/album/beyond-the-veil-live-at-bobby-jones-gospel-xiii-mw0000184444
^Coley, Daryl. "Live in Oakland: Home Again". Verity. 1 July 1997. http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-oakland-home-again-mw0000024412
^That Special Place. Daryl Coley. 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via YouTube.
^His Love. Daryl Coley. 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via YouTube.
^Thank You Lord. Daryl Coley. 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via YouTube.
^I Can. Daryl Coley. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via YouTube.
^What He's Done. Daryl Coley. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via YouTube.
^Jesus Loves Me. Daryl Coley. 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via YouTube.
^Coley, Daryl. "Christmas Is Here". Verity. 28 September 1999. http://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-is-here-mw0000246688
^Coley, Daryl. "Oh, the Lamb". Verity. 15 May 2001. http://www.allmusic.com/album/oh-the-lamb-mw0000003079
External linksedit
Interview with Coley about his battle with diabetes, crossrhythms.co.uk