TEMPLE HILLS, Md. — A legendary voice in the world of classic soul and R&B has been silenced forever. Joe Blunt, a lifelong DMV resident, died Tuesday at this home in Temple Hills. He was 74 years old.
Blunt is known for being one of the lead signers for the group The Drifters. He performed alongside legendary Ben E. King and Johnny Moore. During this time, The Drifters saw their careers resurge, especially in England, where the group returned to the top of the charts with several top 10 hits, major tours, and media appearances.
Sony Music awarded Blunt the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the music industry. Blunt was also awarded a Gold Disc for his contributions to the compilation CD, "The Drifters: The Very Best Of."
After 10 years with the Drifters, Blunt retired and returned to his musical roots as a gospel music performer in D.C. He went on to reunite with his childhood friends Glenn Leonard (formerly of the Temptations) and singer/songwriter/theatrical producer Joe Coleman to perform as “Leonard, Coleman and Blunt”. He also became a founding member of the hugely successful vocal trio “Voices Of Classic Soul. The group toured extensively all across the country and made dozens of media appearances, with Blunt singing lead on crowd-pleasing Drifters classics, including "Under The Boardwalk," "This Magic Moment," "On Broadway," "Up On The Roof," and King's "Stand By Me." Blunt retired from performing in 2023.
"Joe Blunt was a lifelong friend. We began singing together in the junior choir at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in D.C. when I was about eight and Joe was five. We've been all over several continents together. The world has lost a wonderful voice and a great man, and I've lost my best friend," said Joe Coleman.
Longtime Voices Of Classic Soul manager Burke Allen said of Blunt, "Joe was the epitome of cool and class. His vocals and his demeanor were always smooth as silk. He had a terrific, dry sense of humor and was always able to deliver. Working with him all these years was an honor and privilege; the world is a better place because Joe Blunt was in it."
Blunt started his professional singing career while still a student at D.C. McKinley Tech High School. He signed his first contract with Cap City Records as a member of the R&B group The Chancellors.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Paula, and sons Darren, Brian, and Joshua, and music fans worldwide.
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