Singer-songwriter Donny Hathaway is undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of our time. The Chicago native who grew up singing gospel music in his grandmother’s St. Louis church, was known for his soulful voice and his piano prowess he brought to hits like “The Ghetto,” “This Christmas” and “Someday We’ll All Be Free.”
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But his ongoing struggles with mental health would ultimately cut his career short and lead to his untimely death at age 33
This is the story of Donny Hathaway.
Little Donnie Pitts
Donny Hathaway was born on October 1, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. After his parents separated, Hathaway’s mother moved to St. Louis, where she raised him with the help of his maternal grandmother, a gospel singer. Hathaway got his first exposure to music while singing and studying piano at their church. He eventually began performing gospel music around the area as “Little Donnie Pitts.”
“The other musicians in the church would stand around him and watch his hands, because the boy could play,” his sister Jacqueline Bethany said in an interview.
The Music in His Head
As he got older, Hathaway’s passion for music grew, as he began studying artists in every genre, including Liberace.
“Sometimes he would get up late at night saying he heard music in his head. He would go to the piano and play so intensely that perspiration would come streaming down his face,” his mother said in an April 1979 interview with Ebony.
Headed to Howard
After studying classical piano in high school, Hathaway earned a fine arts scholarship to Howard University in the mid-1960s. There, he made friends that he would collaborate with in work and in life, including Roberta Flack, songwriting partner Leroy Hutson, bandmate Ric Powell and Eulaulah Vann, who he would later marry.
A Family Affair
In 1967, Donny Hathaway dropped out of Howard to pursue his music career full time. But while he left campus life behind, he maintained a connection with Eulaulah Vann. The pair got married in 1967 and moved to Chicago so Donny could work with Curtis Mayfield. He and Eulaulah had two daughters together, Eulaulah (Lalah) Donyll and Kenya Canc’Libra.
Making a Deal
After working as a writer, producer and arranger for artists like Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin and The Staple Singers, Hathaway scored a deal of his own as a solo artist with Atlantic Records in 1969.
“I used to think we had two geniuses on Atlantic: Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. When Donny Hathaway signed up, I announced to one and all that I think we’ve found our third genius,” said Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler.
“The Ghetto”
Hathaway had his first big hit on his debut album, “Everything Is Everything” with the 1969 track, “The Ghetto.” Although the song has very few lyrics, the bass line along with Hathaway’s vocal runs and incredible piano riffs give the over six-minute long song so much soul.
“This Christmas”
Riding the high of the success of his first album, Hathaway released the holiday song, “This Christmas” in 1970. The soulful song, which captures the essence of the family and togetherness, has been a holiday classic for decades that has a guaranteed spot on almost every Black person’s Christmas playlist.
“Fireside is blazing bright;We’re caroling through the night;And this Christmas will be;A very special Christmas for me,”
– “This Christmas,” 1970
Hathaway’s daughter Donnita loves the fact that song has become such an important part of the culture.
“It’s humbling that this original song performed by my father and written by my godmother has that impact every year,” she told Grammy.com in 2021.
“Where is the Love?”
It’s hard to talk about Donny Hathaway’s music without mentioning his magical partnership with Roberta Flack, his Howard University classmate and Atlantic Records label mate.
Although their relationship was strictly platonic, their musical chemistry was undeniable as they recorded several hits together, including 1972's “Where is the Love?” The song earned the pair a GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in 1972.
Devastating Diagnosis
Although Hathaway was an undeniable musical genius, he also battled frequent bouts of depression. As his career went on, be struggled with feelings of isolation and loneliness. Between 1973 and 1974, he was hospitalized several times until he was eventually diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Taking a Toll
By the mid-1970s. Hathaway’s mental health struggles were taking a toll on his career. His medication and issues with substance abuse were getting the best of him and eventually led to his separation from wife Eulaulah, who was concerned for their children’s safety at the time.
“Someday We’ll All Be Free”
Hathaway had another hit in 1973 with “Someday We’ll All Be Free.” Composed by Hathaway, the lyrics were written by Edward Howard, who poignantly captured Hathaway’s struggles with mental health at the time.
“Hang on to the world as it spins around;Just don’t let the spin get you down.Things are moving fast;Hold on tight and you will last.Keep your self-respect, your manly pride;Get yourself in gear, keep your stride.Never mind your fears;Brighter days will soon be here,”
- “Someday We’ll All Be Free,” 1973
A Tragic Ending
On January 13, 1979, Hathaway died tragically after falling 15 stories from his room at the Essex House hotel in New York City. The news came as a shock to friends and loved ones who knew Hathaway was in the city doing what he loved best – making music with his friend and long-time collaborator, Roberta Flack.
“He was in good spirits, having just written new music and having performed with Roberta, all day. We had just left her Central Park West apartment and were back in our rooms for the evening. He hadn’t been drinking heavily or taking drugs of any sort,” his manager Edward Howard said at the time.
A Born Musician
Although Donny Hathaway’s career was cut tragically short, there is no doubt about the significant impact he had on the industry during his life and the legacy he left for future generations. His long-time collaborator, Roberta Flack reflected on his talent and their relationship after his death.
“The love and connection that Donny and I had, musically—it was like flying. Donny was a musical genius,” she said.
Donny’s wife Eulaulah agreed.
“There are made musicians and there are born ones,” she told The New Yorker in 2019. “And Donny happened to have been a born musician.”
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