Earl Van Dyke

Earl Van Dyke (July 8, 1930 – September 18, 1992) was an American soul musician, most notable as the main keyboardist for Motown Records' in-house Funk Brothers band during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Several of Van Dyke's recordings feature him playing keys over the original instrumental tracks for Motown hits;

Van Dyke played the Steinway grand piano, the Hammond B-3 organ, the Wurlitzer electric piano, the Fender Rhodes, and the celeste and harpsichord. He played a toy piano for the introduction of the Temptations' hit, "It's Growing". His musical influences included Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, and Barry Harris.

Van Dyke died of prostate cancer in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 62.

Discography Singles Soul (Motown) releases 1964: "Soul Stomp" 1965: "All For You"* 1965: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)"* 1965: "The Flick (Part II)"* 1967: "6 By 6"** 1969: "Run Away Child, Running Wild"

billed as "Earl Van Dyke & the Soul Brothers" (the billed name of the Funk Brothers band was changed by Motown head Berry Gordy, as he disliked the connotation of the word "funk")

billed as "Earl Van Dyke & the Motown Brass"

Albums Soul (Motown) releases 1965: That Motown Sound (Earl Van Dyke & the Soul Brothers) 1970: The Earl of Funk (Earl Van Dyke Live)

As sideman With Fred Jackson Hootin' 'n Tootin' (Blue Note, 1962) With Ike Quebec The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions (Blue Note, 1962) And on Motown recordings by The Undisputed Truth, The Temptations, The Supremes, David Ruffin, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, Yvonne Fair, Leslie Uggams, Bonnie Pointer.

Filmography