Odell Brown RIP

05/17/2011
. (Gibson) Odell Brown, the Louisville-born jazz organist who later co-wrote one of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits, died on May 3 at his home in Richfield, Minnesota. He was 70 years old.

Brown got his start in Chicago, where his group, Odell Brown & the Organizers, received Billboard's Best New Group award in 1966. He recorded five albums for the Cadet label between 1966 and 1970, and recorded a single eponymous album for Paula Records four years later.

In 1982, Brown co-wrote "Sexual Healing" with Marvin Gaye, garnering three Grammy nominations and two wins for the steamy track. His career was derailed by severe depression and financial troubles, though he found his feet again after moving to Minnesota in the mid-'90s. more on this story

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