b. Cuba Gooding, 27th April 1944, New York, U.S.A.
Cuba Gooding was born and grew up in New York.
Along with Tony Sylvester, Luther Simmons Jr., and Donald McPherson, Cuba was part of the group The Poets during the 1960's.
The Poets became The Insiders who then became the Main Ingredient.
In 1971, Cuba Gooding replaced Donald McPherson (after he became too ill to tour) in the Main Ingredient, thus commencing a successful performing career.
Prior to his singing career, Cuba was a debt collector and a door to door salesman, selling Encyclopedia's!
The Main Ingredient scored with the songs 'Everybody Plays The Fool' and the remake of the Ronnie Dyson melody 'I Just Don't Want To Be Lonely', in 1974, which were a major hits in the U.S.A.
In 1978, Cuba left the group for a solo career.
His first solo album was entitled 'The First Cuba Gooding Album' for Motown Records.
The 'First Cuba Gooding Album' contained his version of 'We're In Love', which was later made popular by Patti Austin.
'Love Dancer' followed a year later with the album containing the excellent 'Disco Royale', played regularly on the Robbie Vincent Radio London soul show.
That particular album was produced by Michael Lovesmith.
Cuba left the Motown imprint in 1983.
Following this occurrence, he released a 12" single on Streetwise Records entitled 'Happiness Is Just Around The Bend' (a remake of an earlier Main Ingredient tune taken from the album 'Euphrates River' from 1974) that became very popular on the U.K. soul music scene.
One of his son's is the rapper and actor Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Academy Award in 1997 for his role in the film 'Jerry Macguire', the other is Omar Gooding, who works on television.
Cuba resumed his career with the Main Ingredient up until the early Nineties.
In 1993, he recorded a solo album 'Meant To Be In Love' for the label Triune Records.
The album featured guest vocals from Vaneese Thomas.
In early 2000, Cuba found himself touring in the gospel play 'Be Careful What You Pray For' alongside Shirley Murdoch and David Peaston.
In 2002, Cuba returned to recording with the album 'Cuba Gooding: Solo' for the Irie Record label.
A follow up album entitled 'Family' is planned.
Albums:
The First Cuba Gooding Album (Motown Records 1978)
Love Dancer (Motown Records 1979)
Meant To Be In Love (Triune Records 1993)
Cuba Gooding: Solo (U.S. Irie Records 2002)
Begin With The Family (U.S. Irie Records 2004)
