tue 03/12/2024

RIP house music singer Darryl Pandy | reviews, news & interviews

RIP house music singer Darryl Pandy

RIP house music singer Darryl Pandy

Appreciation of flamboyant underground legend

A still from the 'Love Can't Turn Around' video

The house music of Chicago, led by producers and DJs, has long had a tendency to feature the greatest vocals of any genre yet not make stars of its singers. And for most of his working life, Darryl Pandy, who died yesterday aged 48, was not the star his huge presence and elemental, gospel-schooled voice warranted – instead working the club circuit and soul revival shows, and featuring on dance tracks scattered across dozens of 12" singles on many labels worldwide.

The house music of Chicago, led by producers and DJs, has long had a tendency to feature the greatest vocals of any genre yet not make stars of its singers. And for most of his working life, Darryl Pandy, who died yesterday aged 48, was not the star his huge presence and elemental, gospel-schooled voice warranted – instead working the club circuit and soul revival shows, and featuring on dance tracks scattered across dozens of 12" singles on many labels worldwide.

His vocal that veered from manly roar to little-girl squeal was like nothing in pop before or since

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Such a well written piece that encapsulates everything I have wanted to say since hearing of his death. Thank you. RIP Darryl Pandy 1963-2011

Could not have been more well put, Mr. Muggs. Thank you! For all his 'over-the-top' personal antics, at the core Darryl had a deep love of music, and a voice which could tenderly caress, or blow out a wall! I had the pleasure of working with Darryl early on, when we produced "Move" for DJ International Records under the moniker, 'Farmboy'. When I first played the demo of the track for Darryl, he listened very intently from beginning to end, without so much as a glance up...I wondered, did he like it? When the demo faded I got my answer, as Darryl jumped out of his seat, and in that wickedly shrill falsetto, started singing the lyric to the chorus! The room broke up with laughter, and about a month later, Darryl had taken the tune almost single-handedly into the Billboard Dance charts... What most people saw was the quirky, off-the-chart energy he brought with him on stage. Those of us who were a bit closer knew he was a complex man, able to express the many emotions touched on in his long archive of memorable tuneage, because he LIVED each verse and chorus. God Bless you Darryl. We will never forget you.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pandy at Life Center Church Of God in Christ, He blew me away, His voice is so powerful!!!! he is a very pleasent person. DARRYL I;ll miss you!! Love, Ms. B.

A GREAT loss to the church of House music.Mr Pandy ,RIP,brother,The world has lost a great man.

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