On January 13, 1979, singer, songwriter, and musician Donny Hathaway passed away in a West Hollywood hotel at 33 years of age. Beloved in the world of R&B, Hathaway possessed a combination of musical talent and soul that made him one of the greatest performers of the genre. Hathaway was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1945, and as a child was highly involved in both music and the church. After majoring in Music at Howard University during the 1960's he began to record tracks with his jazz trio at the iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. His solo albums 'Donny Hathaway', 'Everything Is Everything', and 'Live' established him as a major talent in soul and progressive music. The Grammy winner's distinct sound and contribution to music was iconic, and his influence on countless other singers and songwriters will always be appreciated. Hathaway is remembered for bringing a unique blend of cover songs, traditional ballads, and rock and roll to the world of R&B, making him an undeniable icon of the music world.