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{{Short description|American guitarist}}
{{distinguish|Denis Coffey}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2015}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2015}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Dennis Coffey
| name = Dennis Coffey
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Dennis James Coffey
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Dennis James Coffey
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1940|11|11}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Detroit]], Michigan, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1940|11|11}}
| death_date =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], United States
| death_date =
| origin =
⚫
| genre = {{hlist|[[Soul music|Soul]]|[[funk]]|[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[disco]]}}
| origin =
| instrument = Guitar
⚫
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[funk]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[disco]]
| instrument = [[Guitar]]
| occupation = Musician
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1955–present
⚫
| label = {{hlist|Maverick|[[Sussex Records|Sussex]]|[[Westbound Records|Westbound]]}}
| years_active = 1955–present
⚫
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Funk Brothers]]|[[Dennis Coffey & the Detroit Guitar Band]]|[[Gallery (band)|Gallery]]}}
⚫
| label = [[Motown Records|Motown]], [[Sussex Records|Sussex]], [[Westbound Records|Westbound]]
⚫
| website = {{URL|http://denniscoffeysite.com/}}
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Funk Brothers]], [[Detroit Guitar Band]], [[Gallery (band)|Gallery]], [[Sixto Rodriguez]]
⚫
| website = {{URL|http://denniscoffeysite.com/}}
| current_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}


'''Dennis Coffey''' (born November 11, 1940) is an American [[guitarist]]. He was a [[recording studio|studio]] [[musician]] for many [[soul music|soul]] and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]], and is well known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single "[[Scorpio (instrumental)|Scorpio]]".
'''Dennis James Coffey''' (born November 11, 1940) is an American [[guitarist]]. He was a [[recording studio|studio]] [[musician]] for many [[soul music|soul]] and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]], and is well known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single "[[Scorpio (instrumental)|Scorpio]]".


==Biography==
==Biography==
Coffey learned to play [[guitar]] at the age of thirteen, in the Michigan [[Upper Peninsula]] town of [[Copper City, Michigan|Copper City]]. In 1955, as a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Detroit's [[Mackenzie High School (Michigan)|Mackenzie High School]], Dennis played his first [[gramophone record|record]] [[session musician|session]] - backing Vic Gallon in "I'm Gone", on the Gondola [[record label]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://capitolsoulclub.homestead.com/denniscoffey.html |title=Anorak's Corner : Soul Survivor : Dennis Coffey|website=Capitolsoulclub.homestead.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-02}}</ref> In the early 1960s he joined The Royaltones who had had [[hit record|hits]] with "Poor Boy" in 1958 and "Flamingo Express" in 1961. The Royaltones played sessions with other [[musician|artists]] including [[Del Shannon]].
Coffey learned to play [[guitar]] at the age of thirteen, in the Michigan [[Upper Peninsula]] town of [[Copper City, Michigan|Copper City]]. In 1955, as a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Detroit's [[Mackenzie High School (Michigan)|Mackenzie High School]], Dennis played his first [[gramophone record|record]] [[session musician|session]] - backing Vic Gallon in "I'm Gone", on the Gondola [[record label]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://capitolsoulclub.homestead.com/denniscoffey.html |title=Anorak's Corner : Soul Survivor : Dennis Coffey|website=Capitolsoulclub.homestead.com |access-date=2011-11-02}}</ref> In the early 1960s he joined The Royaltones who had had [[hit record|hits]] with "Poor Boy" in 1958 and "Flamingo Express" in 1961. The Royaltones played sessions with other [[musician|artists]] including [[Del Shannon]].


By the late 1960s as a member of the [[Funk Brothers]] [[studio band]], Coffey played on dozens of recordings for [[Motown Records]], and introduced a hard rock guitar sound to Motown [[record producer]] [[Norman Whitfield]]'s recordings, including distortion, [[Echoplex]] tape-loop delay, and [[wah-wah (music)|wah-wah]]; most notably heard on "[[Cloud Nine (The Temptations song)|Cloud Nine]]", "[[Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)]]" and "[[Psychedelic Shack (song)|Psychedelic Shack]]" by The Temptations. He played on numerous other hit records of the era including number one singles like [[Edwin Starr]]'s "[[War (Edwin Starr song)|War]]" and Diana Ross & [[The Supremes]] "[[Someday We'll Be Together]]" and [[Freda Payne]]'s number three hit (number one in the [[UK]]) "[[Band of Gold (Freda Payne song)|Band of Gold]]".
By the late 1960s as a member of the [[Funk Brothers]] [[studio band]], Coffey played on dozens of recordings for [[Motown Records]], and introduced a hard rock guitar sound to Motown [[record producer]] [[Norman Whitfield]]'s recordings, including distortion, [[Echoplex]] tape-loop delay, and [[wah-wah (music)|wah-wah]]: most notably heard on "[[Cloud Nine (The Temptations song)|Cloud Nine]]", "[[Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)]]", and "[[Psychedelic Shack (song)|Psychedelic Shack]]" by The Temptations. He played on numerous other hit records of the era: [[Edwin Starr]]'s "[[War (Edwin Starr song)|War]]", Diana Ross & [[The Supremes]]' "[[Someday We'll Be Together]]", and [[Freda Payne]]'s "[[Band of Gold (Freda Payne song)|Band of Gold]]".


In 1971, Coffey recorded "[[Scorpio (instrumental)|Scorpio]]" which was a million selling [[instrumental]] [[single (music)|single]] that peaked in the US at number nine on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Soul Singles]] chart and at number six on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=125}}</ref> The instrumental track featured the former Motown "funk brother", [[Bob Babbitt]] on [[Bass guitar|bass]]. On January 8, 1972 Coffey became the first white artist to perform on the [[television show]] ''[[Soul Train]]'', playing "Scorpio".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0845890/|title=Dennis Coffey/Detroit Emeralds/Jesse James|accessdate=1 March 2019|website=IMDb.com}}</ref> "Scorpio" received a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] awarded by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] on December 9, 1971.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
In 1971, Coffey recorded "[[Scorpio (instrumental)|Scorpio]]" which was a million selling [[instrumental]] [[single (music)|single]] that peaked in the US at number nine on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Soul Singles]] chart and at number six on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=125}}</ref> The instrumental track featured the former Motown "funk brother", [[Bob Babbitt]] on [[Bass guitar|bass]]. On January 8, 1972 Coffey became the first white artist to perform on the [[television show]] ''[[Soul Train]]'', playing "Scorpio".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0845890/|title=Dennis Coffey/Detroit Emeralds/Jesse James|access-date=1 March 2019|website=IMDb.com}}</ref> "Scorpio" received a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] awarded by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] on December 9, 1971.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
| first= Joseph
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| last= Murrells
Line 38: Line 39:
| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd
| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd
| location= London
| location= London
| page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/291 291]
| page= 291
| isbn= 0-214-20512-6}}</ref>
| isbn= 0-214-20512-6
| url-access= registration
| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/291
}}</ref>


The follow-up in 1972 was "Taurus", both credited to Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. Since then, he has recorded several [[solo (music)|solo]] [[album]]s, most of them for the [[Sussex Records|Sussex]] and [[Westbound Records|Westbound]] labels. While at Sussex Records Coffey [[arrangement|arranged]] and produced along with Mike Theodore the million selling "Nice To Be With You" by the [[musical ensemble|group]], [[Gallery (band)|Gallery]]. In addition, Coffey [[film score|scored]] the [[blaxploitation]] [[film]], ''[[Black Belt Jones]]'' (1974).
The follow-up in 1972 was "Taurus", both credited to Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. It reached #55 in [[RPM (magazine)|Canada]].
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.7738.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - April 22, 1972}}</ref> Since then, he has recorded several [[solo (music)|solo]] [[album]]s, most of them for the [[Sussex Records|Sussex]] and [[Westbound Records|Westbound]] labels. While at Sussex Records Coffey [[arrangement|arranged]] and produced along with Mike Theodore the million selling "Nice To Be With You" by the [[musical ensemble|group]] [[Gallery (band)|Gallery]]. In addition, Coffey [[film score|scored]] the [[blaxploitation]] [[film]], ''[[Black Belt Jones]]'' (1974).


Coffey was interviewed in the 2002 film, ''[[Standing in the Shadows of Motown]]'', which told the story of [[Funk Brothers]] and explained that he had sold his [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] [[Stratocaster]] to buy a [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] [[Gibson Firebird|Firebird]] after he heard [[Eddie Willis]] of [[Funk Brothers]] play it during a Motown session.
Coffey was interviewed in the 2002 film, ''[[Standing in the Shadows of Motown]]'', which told the story of [[Funk Brothers]] and explained that he had sold his [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] [[Stratocaster]] to buy a [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] [[Gibson Firebird|Firebird]] after he heard [[Eddie Willis]] of [[Funk Brothers]] play it during a Motown session.
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In 2004, he published a [[memoir]], ''Guitars, Bars and Motown Superstars''.
In 2004, he published a [[memoir]], ''Guitars, Bars and Motown Superstars''.


In 2008, he co-produced the [[Carl Dixon]] sessions at Studio A, [[Dearborn Heights, Michigan|Dearborn Heights]], [[Michigan]]. Four tracks were recorded featuring some of the Funk Brothers including Uriel Jones, [[Bob Babbitt]], Coffey and [[Ray Monette]], plus other distinguished Detroit session musicians. [[Spyder Turner]], Pree and Gayle Butts were vocalists on the session. The session was arranged by David J. Van De Pitte.
In 2008, he co-produced the [[Carl Dixon]] sessions at Studio A, [[Dearborn Heights, Michigan|Dearborn Heights]], [[Michigan]]. Four tracks were recorded featuring some of the Funk Brothers including [[Uriel Jones]], [[Bob Babbitt]], Coffey and [[Ray Monette]], plus other distinguished Detroit session musicians. [[Spyder Turner]], Pree and Gayle Butts were vocalists on the session. The session was arranged by David J. Van De Pitte.


On April 26, 2011 (April 25 outside the US) Coffey released his self-titled album,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strut-records.com/node/534 |title=Detroit Guitar Legend Dennis Coffey Joins Strut For A New Album &#124; STRUT |publisher=Strut-records.com |date= |accessdate=2012-11-11 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315153829/http://www.strut-records.com/node/534 |archivedate=2012-03-15 |df= }}</ref> consisting of new songs and new versions of songs which originally featured Coffey's distinctive guitar work. Promotion for the album is set to include an international tour, kicking off with several appearances at [[SXSW]]. Singer-songwriter [[Kendra Morris]] accompanied him on tour, performing backing vocals.<ref>[http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/128848-legendary-guitarist-dennis-coffey-announces-tour-dates.html Legendary Guitarist Dennis Coffey Announces New Tour Dates | AltSounds.com News<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831084114/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/128848-legendary-guitarist-dennis-coffey-announces-tour-dates.html |date=2011-08-31 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cantonrep.com/entertainment/x910428250/Dennis-Coffey-You-know-the-music-now-meet-the-man Dennis Coffey: You know the music, now meet the man - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130407212944/http://www.cantonrep.com/entertainment/x910428250/Dennis-Coffey-You-know-the-music-now-meet-the-man |date=2013-04-07 }}</ref>
On April 26, 2011 (April 25 outside the US) Coffey released his self-titled album,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strut-records.com/node/534 |title=Detroit Guitar Legend Dennis Coffey Joins Strut For A New Album &#124; STRUT |publisher=Strut-records.com |access-date=2012-11-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315153829/http://www.strut-records.com/node/534 |archive-date=2012-03-15 }}</ref> consisting of new songs and new versions of songs which originally featured Coffey's distinctive guitar work. Promotion for the album included an international tour, kicking off with several appearances at [[SXSW]]. Singer-songwriter [[Kendra Morris]] accompanied him on tour, performing backing vocals.<ref>[http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/128848-legendary-guitarist-dennis-coffey-announces-tour-dates.html Legendary Guitarist Dennis Coffey Announces New Tour Dates | AltSounds.com News<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831084114/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/128848-legendary-guitarist-dennis-coffey-announces-tour-dates.html |date=2011-08-31 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cantonrep.com/entertainment/x910428250/Dennis-Coffey-You-know-the-music-now-meet-the-man Dennis Coffey: You know the music, now meet the man - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130407212944/http://www.cantonrep.com/entertainment/x910428250/Dennis-Coffey-You-know-the-music-now-meet-the-man |date=2013-04-07 }}</ref>


Dennis was a constant performer in his hometown Detroit. He performed at the Detroit Jazz Concert, the Concert of Colors
Dennis was a constant performer in his hometown Detroit. He performed at the Detroit Jazz Concert, the Concert of Colors
promoted by Don Was and recorded on the Blue Note label. His performances at the Legendary Morey Baker's Keyboard Lounge and other are venues included notable; Steve Adams, Drew Schultz, Danny Tyrell and others.
promoted by Don Was and recorded on the Blue Note label. His performances at the Legendary Morey Baker's Keyboard Lounge and other venues included notables; Steve Adams, Drew Schultz, Danny Tyrell and others.


In 2012, Coffey was interviewed on the PBS program ''[[History Detectives]]'', about the authenticity of an old [[Ampeg Portaflex|Ampeg B-15]] amplifier with the stenciled name of fellow Funk Brothers member bassist [[James Jamerson]].<ref>[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120724/ENT10/207240301/Musical-mystery-Did-old-battered-amplifier-belong-Motown-s-James-Jamerson-PBS-investigates?odyssey=tab]{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref>
In 2012, Coffey was interviewed on the PBS program ''[[History Detectives]]'', about the authenticity of an old [[Ampeg Portaflex|Ampeg B-15]] amplifier with the stenciled name of fellow Funk Brothers member bassist [[James Jamerson]].<ref>[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120724/ENT10/207240301/Musical-mystery-Did-old-battered-amplifier-belong-Motown-s-James-Jamerson-PBS-investigates?odyssey=tab]{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref>
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Along with Mike Theodore, Coffey discovered the folk-rock singer-songwriter [[Sixto Rodriguez]], who is the subject of the 2012 Oscar-winning film ''[[Searching for Sugar Man]]'' in which Coffey appears. Coffey played lead guitar on Rodriguez's first album ''[[Cold Fact]]'' (1970).
Along with Mike Theodore, Coffey discovered the folk-rock singer-songwriter [[Sixto Rodriguez]], who is the subject of the 2012 Oscar-winning film ''[[Searching for Sugar Man]]'' in which Coffey appears. Coffey played lead guitar on Rodriguez's first album ''[[Cold Fact]]'' (1970).


Dennis Coffey was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame as a member of the Funk Brothers in 2010 and as a solo artist in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/mrrl-hall-of-fame/295-dennis-coffey|title=Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - DENNIS COFFEY|website=Michiganrockandrolllegends.com|accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref>
Dennis Coffey was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame as a member of the Funk Brothers in 2010 and as a solo artist in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/mrrl-hall-of-fame/323-dennis-coffey|title=Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - DENNIS COFFEY|website=Michiganrockandrolllegends.com|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
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! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="2"| Chart positions<ref name="allmusic albums">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p10325/charts-awards/billboard-albums|pure_url=yes}}|title=Dennis Coffey US albums chart history|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=2010-08-31}}</ref>
! colspan="2"| Chart positions<ref name="allmusic albums">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p10325/charts-awards/billboard-albums|pure_url=yes}}|title=Dennis Coffey US albums chart history|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2010-08-31}}</ref>
! rowspan="2"| Record label
! rowspan="2"| Record label
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
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| 37
| 37
|-
|-
|| 1973
|| 1972
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Electric Coffey''
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Electric Coffey''
| 189
| 189
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|-
|-
|| 1974
|| 1973
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Dance Party''
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Dance Party'' (compilation)
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
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|| Carrere
|| Carrere
|-
|-
|| 1976
|| 1975
⚫
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Back Home''
⚫
| &mdash;
⚫
| &mdash;
⚫
| rowspan="3"| [[Westbound Records]]
⚫
|-
⚫
|| 1976
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Finger Lickin' Good''
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Finger Lickin' Good''
| 147
| 147
| 31
| 31
⚫
| rowspan="3"| [[Westbound Records]]
⚫
|-
⚫
|| 1977
⚫
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Back Home''
⚫
| &mdash;
⚫
| &mdash;
|-
|-
|| 1978
|| 1978
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| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|-
|-
|| 1989
|| 1986
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Under the Moonlight''
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Motor City Magic''
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|Orpheus Records
| TSR Jazz Records
|-
|-
|| 1990
|| 1989
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Motor City Magic''
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Under the Moonlight''
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| Orpheus Records
|| TSR
|-
|-
|| 2006
|| 1996
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Rise of the Phoenix''
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Flight of the Phoenix''
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
| &mdash;
|| Fighting Chance
|| (n/a)
|-
|-
|| 2011
|| 2011
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| Strut Records
| Strut Records
|-
|-
|| 2017
|| 2016
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Hot Coffey in the D'' (rec. 1968)
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Hot Coffey in the D'' (rec. 1968)
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|Resonance
| Resonance
|-
|-
|| 2018
|| 2018
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|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|Omnivore
| Omnivore
|-
|-
|| 2019
|| 2018
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Live at Baker's'' (rec. 2006)
| style="text-align:left;"| ''Live at Baker's'' (rec. 2006)
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|Omnivore
| Omnivore
|-
|-
|| 2019
|| 2019
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|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|Detroit Music Factory
| Detroit Music Factory
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="7"| <small>"&mdash;" denotes the album failed to chart</small>
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="7"| <small>"&mdash;" denotes the album failed to chart</small>
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|-
|-
| 1969
| 1969
| "It's Your Thing/River Rouge"
| "It's Your Thing"/"River Rouge"
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
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|-
|-
| 1971
| 1971
| "Scorpio"
| "[[Scorpio (instrumental)|Scorpio]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
|-
| 1972
⚫
| "Taurus"
| style="text-align:center;"| 18
| style="text-align:center;"| 11
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
|-
|-
| 1972
| 1973
| "Theme From Enter The Dragon"
⚫
| "Taurus"
| style="text-align:center;"| 18
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| 11
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| 1977
| 1977
| "Wings of Fire/Free Spirit"
| "Wings of Fire"/"Free Spirit"
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
| style="text-align:center;"| &mdash;
Line 257: Line 268:
* [http://www.denniscoffeysite.com/ Coffey official website]
* [http://www.denniscoffeysite.com/ Coffey official website]
* [http://www.bandtraxs.com Carl Dixon/Bandtraxs web site]
* [http://www.bandtraxs.com Carl Dixon/Bandtraxs web site]
* {{discogs artist|Dennis Coffey}}
* {{imdb name|0168977}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Coffey, Dennis}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coffey, Dennis}}
⚫
[[Category:1940 births]]
⚫
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American funk guitarists]]
[[Category:American funk guitarists]]
[[Category:American soul guitarists]]
[[Category:American soul guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
⚫
[[Category:1940 births]]
⚫
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:The Funk Brothers members]]
[[Category:The Funk Brothers members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Detroit]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Detroit]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Mackenzie High School (Michigan) alumni]]

Latest revision as of 15:53, 11 November 2024

Not to be confused with Denis Coffey.

Dennis Coffey
Birth nameDennis James Coffey
Born (1940-11-11) November 11, 1940 (age 84)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1955–present
Labels
Formerly of
Websitedenniscoffeysite.com

Dennis James Coffey (born November 11, 1940) is an American guitarist. He was a studio musician for many soul and R&B recordings, and is well known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single "Scorpio".

Biography

[edit]

Coffey learned to play guitar at the age of thirteen, in the Michigan Upper Peninsula town of Copper City. In 1955, as a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Detroit's Mackenzie High School, Dennis played his first record session - backing Vic Gallon in "I'm Gone", on the Gondola record label.[1] In the early 1960s he joined The Royaltones who had had hits with "Poor Boy" in 1958 and "Flamingo Express" in 1961. The Royaltones played sessions with other artists including Del Shannon.

By the late 1960s as a member of the Funk Brothers studio band, Coffey played on dozens of recordings for Motown Records, and introduced a hard rock guitar sound to Motown record producer Norman Whitfield's recordings, including distortion, Echoplex tape-loop delay, and wah-wah: most notably heard on "Cloud Nine", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", and "Psychedelic Shack" by The Temptations. He played on numerous other hit records of the era: Edwin Starr's "War", Diana Ross & The Supremes' "Someday We'll Be Together", and Freda Payne's "Band of Gold".

In 1971, Coffey recorded "Scorpio" which was a million selling instrumental single that peaked in the US at number nine on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] The instrumental track featured the former Motown "funk brother", Bob Babbitt on bass. On January 8, 1972 Coffey became the first white artist to perform on the television show Soul Train, playing "Scorpio".[3] "Scorpio" received a gold disc awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 9, 1971.[4]

The follow-up in 1972 was "Taurus", both credited to Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. It reached #55 in Canada. [5] Since then, he has recorded several solo albums, most of them for the Sussex and Westbound labels. While at Sussex Records Coffey arranged and produced along with Mike Theodore the million selling "Nice To Be With You" by the group Gallery. In addition, Coffey scored the blaxploitation film, Black Belt Jones (1974).

Coffey was interviewed in the 2002 film, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which told the story of Funk Brothers and explained that he had sold his Fender Stratocaster to buy a Gibson Firebird after he heard Eddie Willis of Funk Brothers play it during a Motown session.

In 2004, he published a memoir, Guitars, Bars and Motown Superstars.

In 2008, he co-produced the Carl Dixon sessions at Studio A, Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Four tracks were recorded featuring some of the Funk Brothers including Uriel Jones, Bob Babbitt, Coffey and Ray Monette, plus other distinguished Detroit session musicians. Spyder Turner, Pree and Gayle Butts were vocalists on the session. The session was arranged by David J. Van De Pitte.

On April 26, 2011 (April 25 outside the US) Coffey released his self-titled album,[6] consisting of new songs and new versions of songs which originally featured Coffey's distinctive guitar work. Promotion for the album included an international tour, kicking off with several appearances at SXSW. Singer-songwriter Kendra Morris accompanied him on tour, performing backing vocals.[7][8]

Dennis was a constant performer in his hometown Detroit. He performed at the Detroit Jazz Concert, the Concert of Colors promoted by Don Was and recorded on the Blue Note label. His performances at the Legendary Morey Baker's Keyboard Lounge and other venues included notables; Steve Adams, Drew Schultz, Danny Tyrell and others.

In 2012, Coffey was interviewed on the PBS program History Detectives, about the authenticity of an old Ampeg B-15 amplifier with the stenciled name of fellow Funk Brothers member bassist James Jamerson.[9]

Along with Mike Theodore, Coffey discovered the folk-rock singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, who is the subject of the 2012 Oscar-winning film Searching for Sugar Man in which Coffey appears. Coffey played lead guitar on Rodriguez's first album Cold Fact (1970).

Dennis Coffey was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame as a member of the Funk Brothers in 2010 and as a solo artist in 2018.[10]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Album Chart positions[11] Record label
US US
R&B
1969 Hair and Thangs — — Maverick Records
1971 Evolution 36 13 Sussex Records
1972 Goin' for Myself 90 37
1972 Electric Coffey 189 —
1973 Dance Party (compilation) — —
1974 Instant Coffey — —
1975 Gettin' It On — — Carrere
1975 Finger Lickin' Good 147 31 Westbound Records
1977 Back Home — —
1978 A Sweet Taste of Sin — —
1986 Motor City Magic — — TSR Jazz Records
1989 Under the Moonlight — — Orpheus Records
1996 Flight of the Phoenix — — Fighting Chance
2011 Dennis Coffey — — Strut Records
2016 Hot Coffey in the D (rec. 1968) — — Resonance
2018 One Night at Morey's (rec. 1968) — — Omnivore
2018 Live at Baker's (rec. 2006) — — Omnivore
2019 Down By the River — — Detroit Music Factory
"—" denotes the album failed to chart

Singles

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Year Title Chart positions[12]
US Pop Singles US Black Singles US Disco Singles
1969 "It's Your Thing"/"River Rouge" — — —
1971 "Scorpio" 6 9 —
1972 "Taurus" 18 11 —
1972 "Getting It On" 93 — —
1972 "Ride, Sally, Ride" 93 43 —
1973 "Theme From Enter The Dragon" — — —
1975 "Getting It On '75" — 75 —
1976 "Finger Lickin' Good" — — 14
1977 "Our Love Goes On Forever" — 94 —
1977 "Wings of Fire"/"Free Spirit" — — 11
"—" denotes the single failed to chart

Notable publications

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References

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  1. ^ "Anorak's Corner : Soul Survivor : Dennis Coffey". Capitolsoulclub.homestead.com. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 125.
  3. ^ "Dennis Coffey/Detroit Emeralds/Jesse James". IMDb.com. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  4. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 291. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  5. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - April 22, 1972" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Detroit Guitar Legend Dennis Coffey Joins Strut For A New Album | STRUT". Strut-records.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  7. ^ Legendary Guitarist Dennis Coffey Announces New Tour Dates | AltSounds.com News Archived 2011-08-31 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Dennis Coffey: You know the music, now meet the man - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com Archived 2013-04-07 at archive.today
  9. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - DENNIS COFFEY". Michiganrockandrolllegends.com. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  11. ^ "Dennis Coffey US albums chart history". AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  12. ^ Billboard Singles. AllMusic

Further reading

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