Hillard 'Sweet Pea' Atkinson, a singer in Was (Not Was) and a much-sought-after back-up vocalist, died from a heart attack at age 74
Hillard "Sweet Pea" Atkinson, a singer in Was and a much-sought-after back-up vocalist, died from a heart attack at age 74.Hillard “Sweet Pea” Atkinson, the rich-voiced and riveting singer best known for his work with Was , died Tuesday, a representative for Blue Note Records confirmed. He was 74., Atkinson died of a heart attack in Los Angeles where he lived.
Atkinson formed a powerhouse vocal duo with Harry Bowen in Was , and the band spent the Eighties releasing a string of acclaimed and increasingly successful records that blended pop, rock, funk and R&B with plenty of absurdist flourishes and surreal lyrics. The band was a launching pad for Atkinson, who went on to release two solo records and collaborate with an array of artists including Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt and Kris Kristofferson.
Atkinson was born in Oberlin, Ohio, and eventually moved to Detroit where he worked on a Chrysler assembly line. He would sing during his shifts and formed a band with some fellow United Auto Workers members, Hi Energy. One night, in the late Seventies, Hi Energy found itself at Sound Suite Studios in Detroit the same night as Was.
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