Jesse Belvin

About

Popular R&B musician who wrote many hit songs performed by others and had his own hit album Dream Girl in 1953.

Before Fame

He wrote the song Earth Angel, the first legitimate crossover R&B hit, which he said was inspired by a neighboring young white woman.

Trivia

His rising career was paused after he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his return, a head-on car collision ended his life.

Family Life

He was born in San Antonio, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was five.

Associated With

He and Sam Cooke were contemporaries.