Daniel Dorsey "Danny" Overbea (January 3, 1926 – May 11, 1994) was an American rhythm and blues singer, guitarist and songwriter and was one of the earliest pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll. He was best known for his songs "Train, Train, Train" and "Forty Cups of Coffee", which he wrote and recorded in the early 1950s.
Daniel Dorsey Overbea was born 3d January 1926 at Philadelphia, the son of Sylvester Overbea and Irene Dorsey, a musical family who played regularly in their local church and around. His parents went to live to Chicago when the young Danny was seven and he was musically educated at the Du Sable High School where he formed a band, playing several instruments, composing, arranging and singing a lot of Bing Crosby's tunes, his first idol.
After his service in Europe during the war, Danny came back in the Windy City, was in 1946 a member of the musicians union and began to play it professionally in the year, initially with the Three Earls in Cleveland, Ohio, before launching a solo career. After returning to Chicago he made his first recording in 1950, as guest vocalist on saxophonist Eddie Chamblee's "Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleep".He signed as a solo artist to Premium Records, and released his first single, "Contrary Mary", in early 1951.He became a popular club performer, noted for his guitar skills while performing splits, playing behind his back, and with his teeth, many such moves emulating T-Bone Walker (and later adopted by Jimi Hendrix).
In 1952, he was spotted by radio DJ Al Benson, who arranged for him to be signed by Chess Records. His first and most successful record for the company, "Train, Train, Train", his own composition, was issued on the Checker subsidiary label in early 1953 and reached number 7 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song was covered by Buddy Morrow, whose version on RCA Victor reached number 28 on the pop chart.
Several strong numbers followed (Stop time, 40 cups of coffee... this one being covered by Bill Haley) waxed with the no-nonsense King Kolax Orchestra. According to Allmusic, Overbea's first two Checker records were "essentially rock ‘n’ roll songs before the concept of ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ had even emerged."
His later records for Checker were less successful, and he interspersed his rockier recordings with ballads in the style of Billy Eckstine, such as "Sorrento", which he sang in Italian, "You're Mine" (also recorded by The Flamingos), and "A Toast to Lovers". He continued to tour, with Dinah Washington and others, and performed on Alan Freed's shows including the week-long Easter Jubilee of Stars in Brooklyn
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in April 1955. After several singles on Checker, Overbea moved in 1956 to the Argo label, another Chess subsidiary specifically established to market pop music. However, his Argo recordings were not commercially successful, and he left in 1957.
in April 1955. After several singles on Checker, Overbea moved in 1956 to the Argo label, another Chess subsidiary specifically established to market pop music. However, his Argo recordings were not commercially successful, and he left in 1957.He then recorded for Federal Records in Cincinnati, until 1959, but again with little success. His last known recordings were for the Apex label in Chicago. For some years, until the end of the 60's, Overbea was still playing in clubs and venues from Chicago to Florida, living on his reputation.
The good things didn't last and around 1969, Overbea had to give up music and make a living on several menial jobs. A powerful, imaginative guitarist and composer but probably too hard to categorize, Danny Overbea died on 11 May 1994 at his Chicago's home, largely forgotten, aged 68.
(Edited from Wikipoedia and an article by Gérard Herzhaft @ Blue Eye Blog.)