Varetta Dillard

Varetta Mamie Dillard (February 3, 1933 – October 4, 1993) was an American rhythm and blues singer in the 1950s whose biggest hit was "Mercy, Mr. Percy".

Life and career She was born in Harlem, New York, and spent much of her childhood in hospital due to a congenital bone condition. However, her next record, "Easy, Easy Baby", reached No. 8 on the Billboard R&B chart in July 1952, being especially popular in the South.

She then toured with Oran "Hot Lips" Page and The Five Keys before the record company paired her with singer H-Bomb Ferguson for a series of duets. After further tours with Larry Darnell and Wynonie Harris, she had her biggest hit in mid 1953 with "Mercy, Mr. Percy", which reached No. 6 on the R&B chart. The song was nationally popular and became her theme song, but she had difficulty following it up and took time off to have a daughter with her husband Ronald Mack.

Popular culture Her hit "Mercy, Mr. Percy" can be heard on the radio in Mafia II.

Discography

Singles +YearTitleLabel1951"Please Come Back to Me"Savoy Records"Love and Wine"1952"Easy, Easy Baby""A Letter In Blues""Them There Eyes""You Are Gone""Here In My Heart""I'm Yours""I Cried and Cried""Double Crossing Daddy""Tortured Love" (with H-Bomb Ferguson)"Please Tell Me Why""Hurry Up"1953"Mercy, Mr. Percy""No Kinda Good, No How""Getting Ready for My Daddy""Three Lies""I Ain't Gonna' Tell""My Mind Is Working""I Love You""I Love You Just the Same"1954"Send Me Some Money""Love"1955"The Answer To My Prayer""Promise Mr. Thomas""Johnny Has Gone""so Many Ways""I'll Never Forget You""I Can't Stop Now"1956"Mama Don't Want (What Poppa Don't Want)"Groove Records"Darling, Listen to The Words of This Song""Got You On My Mind""Skinny Jimmy""I Miss You Jimmy""If You Want to Be My Baby""One More Time""I Can't Help Myself""I'm Gonna Tell My Daddy""Cherry Blossom"1957"That's Why I Cry"RCA Victor"Undecided""Time Was""I Got A Lot of Love""Pray for Me Mother""Leave A Happy Fool Alone"1958"Just Multiply""What'll I Do""Star Of Fortune""The Rules of Love"1959"Scorched"Triumph Records"Good Gravy Baby"1960"Teaser"Cub Records"I Know I'm Good for You"1961"You Better Come Home""I Don't Know What It Is But I Like It""A Little Bitty Tear""Mercy, Mr. Percy" (re-recording)1962"Breaking Hearts" (with The Thomases)Brent Records"Fly By Night" (with The Thomases)

Albums

Johnny Has Gone (EP) (1956)