Herb McQuay
BornSeptember 27, 1948
United States
DiedJune 29, 2005.
GenresSoul, Jazz
Occupation(s)Entertainer
Years active1969–2005
LabelsOde

Herb McQuay (died June 29, 2005) was a popular jazz and soul singer from New York who lived and worked in New Zealand during the late 1970s to the mid 1980s. He is remembered for his cover of the Edwin Starr song, "Oh How Happy", which was a minor hit for him.

Background

For a period of time, McQuay and his family resided in Auckland.[1] While in New Zealand, he recorded an album and had a number of singles released.[2] McQuay had also recorded radio jingles.[3]

McQuay was born in New York. While in high school, he was a member of a street corner a cappella quartet. After high school, he studied music education at Shaw University. After he was drafted into the army in 1969.[4]

Career

1970s

While in the Army, McQuay was a member of the Special Services Entertainment Division and went to Korea, Vietnam, Okinawa and Thailand and to Germany. Later after heading back to New York, he was in Germany and then went around Europe. He was later working cabaret as a result of getting a Managerial contact in Britain.[5] His single "Runnin' Away From You", written by Colin Frechter and John Goodison, backed with his own composition "Storm Clouds" was released on the Bell label in 1974.[6] He first arrived in New Zealand in 1975 or 1976. There he appeared at Auckland's Tanui Tavern[7][8] By 1979, McQuay was hoping to settle in New Zealand permanently.[9]

1980s

In 1980, his single "Oh How Happy" was released on the Ode label.[10] In 1981, McQuay recorded his first album at Mandrill Studios.[11] The album tracks included "Oh How Happy", "You Are The One", "Do Your Thing", "Hey Girl", "Mrs. Jones", "A Change Is Gonna Come, So You Win Again", "Unchained Melody Blues" and Storm Clouds".[12] Towards the end of that year, on 18 December, Ernestine Anderson, with Blue Market Quintet appeared at His Majesty's Theatre in Auckland. McQuay also appeared at the event.[13] Around 1982, he narrated the New Zealand made documentary Flying Light.... In a Sky of Our Own, a Graham McLean production which featured hang gliding champion, Graeme Bird piloting a microlight aircraft. Taj Mahal, provided music for the documentary.[14] In 1983, his single "Night People" bw "Superstar was released. The record which was recorded at Mandrill Studios was produced by Richard Lush.[15] On July 22, 1984, McQuay was appearing with his trio at the Auckland Art Gallery.[16]

In 1986, after residing in New Zealand for four years, McQuay and his family left New Zealand for San Francisco.[17]

Post New Zealand

In 1989, he was appearing at the Juniper Lounge at the High Sierra.[18] He was there in May. Then he appeared later in the year. He was booked from the 26th of September to the first of October.[19][20]

During the 80s, McQuay had worked with big names such as Smokey Robinson, Billy Dee Williams and The Brotherhood of Man. In New York, he appeared in productions such as Porgy and Bess and Bye Bye Birdie.[21]

1990s onwards

He spent 10 years from 1995 to 2005 as a member of one of the versions of The Platters.[22]

Death

He died on June 29, 2005, aged 56.[23]

Discography

Singles
Title Release info Year Notes
"Hey Girl" / "Storm Clouds" Mascot MS 002 1974 NZ release
1981 release according to 45cat[24]
"Runnin' Away From You" / "Storm Clouds" Bell BELL 1398 1974 / 1975 UK release
"Fever Part 1" / "Fever Part 2" Atlantic Z10003 1977 NZ release
"Oh How Happy" / "Mrs Jones" Ode ODE 711 1980 NZ release
"We'll Never Cry Alone" / "You Are The One" Philips HM 7 1982 NZ release
Produced by Carl Doy[25]
"Night People" / "Superstar" Festival K 9046 1983 NZ release[26][27]
EP and albums
Title Release info Year Notes
You Are The One Ode SODE 151 1981 LP album
Touch 1991 Cassette EP[28]

Film and television

Titles
Title Role Director Year Notes #
Live from Chips himself 1981 [29]
Flying Light.... In a Sky of Our Own narrator Grahame McLean 1983 [30]
Hey Herb, (television show) himself shown locally in Reno and Sacramento[31]

References

  1. ↑ Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America: 101 Stories about What Makes Our Country Great, By Amy Newmark Page 318
  2. ↑ Discogs Herb McQuay Discography
  3. ↑ The Orchardist of New Zealand:
    Official Organ of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation and the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board    , Volumes 54-55 Page 427
  4. ↑ National Jazz Festival Page 20
  5. ↑ National Jazz Festival Page 20
  6. ↑ Discogs Herb McQuay – Runnin' Away From You
  7. ↑ Auckland Star, 8 February 1979 "Harlem-born singer Herb McQuay hopes to settle in New Zealand permanently ..."
  8. ↑ National Jazz Festival Page 20
  9. ↑ Auckland Star, 8 February 1979 "Harlem-born singer Herb McQuay hopes to settle in New Zealand permanently ..."
  10. ↑ The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Whitiāhua Me Ngā Taonga Kōrero Oh How Happy
  11. ↑ Auckland Star, 15 July 1981 Jazz minstrel
  12. ↑ National Library of New Zealand Catalogue Herb McQuay, Auckland, N.Z. : Ode, p1981
  13. ↑ New Zealand Herald, 18 December 1981 Ernestine Anderson, with Blue Market Quintet and Herb McQuay, at His Majesty's, last night - By Adrian Blackburn
  14. ↑ National Library of New Zealand Flying light (videorecording) : in a sky of our own / produced and directed by Grahame J. McLean ;
    script by Martyn Sanderson ; from an original concept by Michael McNicholas
  15. ↑ National Library of New Zealand Night people (sound recording) ; Superstar / Herb McQuay
  16. ↑ Auckland University Students’ Association, Volume 58, Issue 13, June 19, 1984 Music, Art Gallery Jazz
  17. ↑ Auckland Star, 8 January 1986 Popular singer leaves for US - Caroline Kidd
  18. ↑ Reno Gazette-Journal, May 25, 1989 Page 59, Tempest taunts and teases in 'Lipstick' review
  19. ↑ Reno Gazette-Journal, September 21, 1989 Page 69 High Sierra's where the nappin' is easy
  20. ↑ Reno Gazette-Journal, September 21, 1989 Page 75 Entertainment Calendar
  21. ↑ Reno Gazette-Journal, September 21, 1989 Page 69 High Sierra's where the nappin' is easy
  22. ↑ Music Minder The Platters, Former members
  23. ↑ Reno Bands McQUAY, Herb
  24. ↑ 45cat Herb McQuay - Discography
  25. ↑ Discogs Herb McQuay Discography
  26. ↑ New Zealand Records The Herb McQuay Single 'Night People'
  27. ↑ National Library of New Zealand Catalogue Night people Superstar / Herb McQuay
  28. ↑ Discogs Herb McQuay Discography
  29. ↑ NZ on Screen Live from Chops, Television, 1981
  30. ↑ The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Whitiāhua Me Ngā Taonga Kōrero Catalogue → F22689, Flying Light.... In a Sky of Our Own
  31. ↑ NightJam.com Reno/Tahoe LIVE Music Established 2002 Musicians In Passing, McQUAY, Herb
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