Chuck Willis

Chuck Willis Biography

Harold (Chuck) Willis (January 31, 1928 – April 10, 1958) was an American blues, rhythm and blues, and rock singer and songwriter; he was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His most successful recording was "C. C. Rider," which topped the rhythm and blues chart in 1957 and also sold well in the pop market. He died suddenly of peritonitis while at the peak of his career, just after "What Am I Living For?", backed by "Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes", was released. His hit "It's Too Late (She's Gone)" was covered by many, including Otis Redding, Roy Orbison, Eric Clapton's Derek and the Dominos and the Grateful Dead. In 2005, it was heavily sampled by Kanye West on Late Registration's "Gone."