Luther Dixon

Luther Dixon (7 August 1931 – 22 October 2009) was an American songwriter, record producer, and singer. Dixon's songs achieved their greatest success in the 1950s and 60s, and were recorded by Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Jackson 5, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dusty Springfield, Jimmy Reed and others. As a producer, Dixon helped create the signature sound of the girl group the Shirelles.

Early life

Dixon was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but his family moved to Brooklyn, New York, when he was young. He learned to sing in church.

Career

Dixon began his professional career in 1954 with the Four Buddies, a doo-wop group led by Larry Harrison, in which Dixon sang baritone and occasionally played guitar. The Four Buddies recorded for Savoy Records, but also as the Barons for Decca Records and as The Buddies for Glory Records. The group disbanded in 1955, but Dixon and Harrison continued writing songs together. Their biggest hit was "Why Baby Why", recorded by Pat Boone, which peaked at #5 in 1957.