(Born: 13 June 1943, Buffalo, New York, United States; Died: 13 March 1971, Phoenix, Arizona, United States)

Dyke & the Blazers

An exuberant late-’60s soul unit featuring the spirited leads of Arlester “Dyke” Christian, a Brooklyn vocalist, they became Dyke & the Blazers in the mid- ’60s, and were assisted by the O’Jays’ backing band at one point. They made a string of crackling singles for Original Sound, starting with “Funky Broadway” in 1967. Their biggest hits were “We Got More Soul” and “Let a Woman Be a Woman – Let a Man Be a Man,” both of which were Top Ten R&B singles in 1969. “Uhh” also did well in 1970, but “You Are My Sunshine” and “Runaway People” were only moderate successes. Things ended for the group when Christian [was fatally shot on the street in Phoenix on March 13, 1971]. ~ Ron Wynn, All-Music Guide