Bassist
Jerry Knight was a founding member of
Raydio and remained with them until 1980.
Knight had previously played with
Bill Withers before being invited by
Ray Parker, Jr. to join
Raydio. It was
Knight's lead vocal on the group's first hit, "Jack and Jill."
Knight left for a solo deal with A&M in 1980. But while "Overnight Sensation" and "Perfect Fit" each made the R&B Top 20, none of his LPs generated consistent sales, and
Knight departed the label in 1983. He recorded with Polydor in 1984 as half of a duo billed as Ollie & Jerry.
Knight also enjoyed some success as a composer, writing "Tonight" for
the Whispers and "Desire" for
Phillip Bailey in 1983. He produced
Howard Hewitt's "Challenge," and played bass on many sessions. He died of cancer in December 1996 at the age of 44. ~ Ron Wynn