How can some one whose career lasted for such a short time, have such a profound and lasting influence on so many? That is exactly why Donny Hathaway is considered a legend. Born October 1, 1945 in Chicago, Hathaway went to live with his grandmother at an early age. Soon after he began showing prodigious talent, by the age of three was singing in his grandmothers church and a few years later began showing mastery o the piano. Hathaway continued to hone his talent all through high school and by his senior year had earned a full scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. to study music and it was there that he would meet his future duet partner Roberta Flack, who was there doing the same.

Hathaway however never graduated and instead opted to pursue his professional music career after his third year. Working with many artists and labels as a producer, songwriter, pianist and arranger, Hathaway would eventually join the Mayfield Singers the studio backing group for Curtis Mayfield's Impressions. Shortly after he was hired by Mayfield's Curtom Records label as an in house producer and thus began his ascension to the ranks of music legends.
In 1969 Hathaway recorded his first single "I Thank You" a duet with June Conquest and that's all Atco Records needed to hear they quickly signed him and in early 1970 Hathaway released his first label single "The Ghetto Pt.1". Although the single failed to break into the top 20 on the R&b charts it is still considered a classic, message filled track that is still listed a favorite by many of his fans. His debut album Everything Is Everything followed and officially introduced the world to his velvety, emotionally passionate voice. Showcasing his extraordinary talent as a singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger, the album was a hit and Hathaway released his self titled follow up the next year. The album would contain many beautiful songs but none more important that his duet with his former classmate Roberta Flack. "You've Got A Friend" a cover of a James Taylor record raced to the top 10 on the R&B charts and would lead to an album of duets from the pair. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway released in 1972 struck gold and contained the timeless hit "Where is The Love" which reached number one on the R&B charts, number five on the pop charts and won a Grammy.Sadly around the same time of his escalating success Hathaway began battling depression and identity issues and would have to be hospitalized from time to time. He would release only one more complete album Extensions Of A Man which hit stores in 1973, and shortly after retreated from the spotlight performing only in small venues.

In 1977 Hathaway renewed his friendship with Roberta Flack, a friendship nearly destroyed by his depression a few years earlier. The two recorded "The Closer I Get To You" for Flack's Blue Lights In The Basement album and picked up where they left off, with the single giving them their second R&B charts topper and the number two spot on the pop charts in 1978. In 1979 While sessions where still under way for another duet album Hathaway was found dead on January 13th on the sidewalk in front of his 15th floor room in New York's Essex House. The glass had been neatly removed from his window, and there were no signs of struggle, leading investigators to rule Hathaway's death a suicide. Flack was devastated but released the two duets that were completed "Back Together Again" and "You Are My Heaven" on Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway in 1980, both went on to become posthumous hits. Hathaway left behind numerous family members, most notably his daughter Lalah, who launched her own music career in 1990.