Donny Hathaway was born on September 10, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. He was an influential R&B, soul, and gospel singer, songwriter, and musician known for his rich, emotive voice and deep, heartfelt compositions.

Hathaway gained fame in the late 1960s and 1970s with songs like:

• “A Song for You”
• “This Christmas” (a holiday classic)
• “Someday We’ll All Be Free”
• “The Ghetto”
• “Where Is the Love” (a duet with Roberta Flack, which won a Grammy)

He was a highly respected musician, blending gospel, jazz, and soul influences, and was known for his collaborations with Roberta Flack. Tragically, he struggled with mental illness and died in 1979 at just 33 years old.