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The entertainment industry mourns the death of Grammy-nominated Gospel great, Daryl Coley.
The 60-year-old vocal wonder was an innovator in Gospel Music, known for his intricate vocal riffs and jazz-like arrangements.
Known as “a singer’s singer,” Coley had been off the music scene for more than a decade after years of battling diabetes, which at one point left him temporarily blind. He spent his final days in hospice care, where his wife and family made sure he was comforted.
The Berkeley, California-bred music minister had become victim of several fake death reports over the last several years.
The hashtag #RIPDarylColey has trended on social media at least four times over the last year alone.
But the man behind classic church songs like “Beyond the Veil,” “He’s Preparing Me,” “Jesus Saves,” “I Can’t Tell It All” and “When Sunday Comes” with Donald Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers, made his transition Tuesday night around 8pm PT.
Many are not aware that Daryl Coley was a lead singer in the Angelic Voices Delivernce Chior at East Oakland Faith Deliverance Center where Bishop Raymond Edward Mack is the founder and pastor. After getting great notoriety for being on the church broadcast weekly he then went on to start singing professionally.
Beginning his career working with Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Tremaine Hawkins and Rev. James Cleveland; Coley would go on to venture into mainstream music, collaborating with artists like Sylvester, Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis. Coley’s friend, Gospel artist Danniebelle Hall encouraged him to return to singing Gospel.
Watch Daryl and Walter lead “I Cried Until I Found The Lord” below:
Having released eight studio album and one Christmas CD; Coley leaves a catalog of music that will live on.
Daryl Coley Greatest HitsIn 1992, Coley was a featured voice on Quincy Jones’ “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” On the “Hallelujah!” chorus from that project, Coley was able to shine in a breakout verse and adlibs, while singing alongside music greats like Gladys Knight, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Johnny Mathis, Patti Austin, Marilyn McCoo, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, Richard Smallwood, Take 6, Vanessa L. Williams and others.
Coley leaves behind his family, friends and a host of industry peers and admirers.
Arrangements for funeral services have not been announced.
