Rex Garvin

Rex Garvin (July 24, 1940 – December 2, 2013) was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, keyboard player and arranger. His writing credits include the 1957 US chart hit "Over the Mountain; Across the Sea", by Johnnie and Joe, and his own 1966 recording "Sock It To 'Em J.B.", later recorded by The Specials.

Life and career Garvin was born in Harlem and raised by foster parents in the Bronx. He took piano lessons as a child. Members of The Hearts later performed as The Jaynetts.

At the same time, Garvin became Sanders' main assistant at J&S Records, which she set up in 1956, and he was responsible for the label's typical full, bottom-heavy piano-laden arrangements. The label's greatest successes came with the duo Johnnie and Joe, whose biggest hit "Over the Mountain, Across the Sea" (#8 Pop and No. 3 R&B in 1957) was written by Garvin, who sang harmony vocals on the song and was credited as bandleader. The duo comprised Garvin's friend Joe Rivers, and Sanders' daughter Johnnie.

Garvin's own recording career started in 1957, with "My Darling Dear". In 1959, his vocal duet with Marie Knight as Marie and Rex on "I Can't Sit Down" reached No. 94 on the Billboard pop chart. He formed his own group Rex Garvin and the Mighty Cravers in 1961, releasing their first single "Go Little Willie"/"Emulsified", on Epic Records; the single was reissued two years later by Okeh. The group toured widely on the "Chitlin' Circuit". Several of these recordings have been anthologized in recent years, particularly on Northern Soul compilations. Their last record release was "Strange Happenings" on the Chieftain label in 1971.

He left the Mighty Cravers and quit the music business in about 1975. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia, but continued to play occasional gigs until 1985. In 1990, "Emulsified" was covered by Yo La Tengo on their album Fakebook. Garvin died in Atlanta in 2013, aged 73.