(January 5, 2023) We are sad to belatedly report the passing of classic soul singer George White of The Dynamics. White was the falsetto lead vocalist for the group, which had a series of moderate hits in the 60s and early 70s.
Consisting of White, along with Zeke Harris, Fred “Sonny” Baker, Samuel Stevenson and Zerben Hicks, The Dynamics had success on both the R&B and Pop charts in 1963 with “Misery,” backed by local band The Royal Playboys. The song became a flashpoint in a controversy, as it appeared to have been reworked – uncredited – with new lyrics a year later for the first hit by The Who, “Zoot Suit.”
Hits were harder to come by as the 60s wore on, but The Dynamics had a second life in the early 70s when Ted White (the husband of Aretha Franklin) managed the group and helped land a new record deal that resulted in two albums and four more chart hits.
With White’s passing, Baker is now the last living original member of The Dynamics, whose music lives on among deep soul music lovers around the world.