Ronald Bertram Greaves had an interesting family background and history, one that was actually more significant than his R&B track record.
Greaves was born on an Air Force base in what was then British Guyana and grew up on a Seminole reservation. The nephew of
Sam Cooke,
Greaves moved to England in 1963, and was lead singer of Sonny Childe & the TNT's. He had his moment of glory in 1969 with "Take a Letter Maria," a fine song blending soap opera narrative and soulful vocals that peaked at number two pop and number ten R&B. His remake of "Always Something There to Remind Me" stiffed, and he was soon off Atlantic's subsidiary label Atco.
Greaves tried again in 1977, recording for the Bareback label. It didn't revive his career.
R.B. Greaves died in September 2012 at the age of 68. ~ Ron Wynn