SOLAR Records CEO Jessie Tsang broke the bad news on social media this morning of the passing of legendary soul music songwriter and producer Dana Meyers at age 73:
Rest in Peace my dear brother Dana Meyers. Your positivity, your pure heart, your zest and enthusiasm for music and life will never be diminished. You were the bridge and the glue for the relaunch of Solar Records. You were part of Leon Sylvers legendary Sylverspoon Producers team of hit makers for Solar Records. Although famed as a songwriter, you possessed one of the most beautiful singing voices that the world never got to hear as a solo artist and yet your vocals peppered some of the biggest hits of all time as backing vocals.
Dana Meyers may not be a household name, but for soul and funk fans, his fingerprints are all over some of the genre’s most memorable records. A versatile songwriter, arranger, and background vocalist, Meyers helped shape the sound of late ’70s and early ’80s R&B through his work with the influential SOLAR Records label and beyond.
Born in Dayton, Ohio—a city that quietly birthed more funk per capita than almost any other—Meyers moved to Los Angeles and became a key creative force behind the scenes at SOLAR. He was soon writing for and collaborating with acts like Shalamar, The Whispers, Dynasty, Lakeside and Klymaxx, and even beyond SOLAR with acts like Tavares. Meyers co-wrote hits like “It’s a Love Thing,” “A Night to Remember,” and “This Is for the Lover in You”—songs that remain staples of the genre and continue to be sampled by a new generation of artists.
But Meyers wasn’t just a songwriter. He was also a percussionist, vocal arranger, and singer in his own right, often lending background vocals and arrangements that brought extra warmth and depth to the tracks she touched.
Though he largely stayed in the background during his illustrious career, Dana Meyers was the kind of behind-the-scenes talent that made magic happen. His songs had groove, heart, and staying power—a perfect match for the sound SOLAR was cultivating. And while his name may not be printed in boldface on the records, soul music lovers know: when Dana Meyers was in the credits, you were in for something special.
