Gene McDaniels was a multi-faceted artist who was best known as a pop/R&B vocalist in the early to mid-'60s. He scored polished and passionate hits that showed off his strong, clear voice including "A Hundred Pounds of Clay," "Tower of Strength," and "Chip Chip." McDaniels also distinguished himself as a songwriter and producer, writing the hit "Feel Like Makin' Love" for Roberta Flack and the thoughtful and oft-covered "Compared to What," as well as helming sessions for Nancy Wilson, Melba Moore, Jimmy Smith, and Lenny Williams. His adventurous work in the '70s, steeped in social and political commentary, is well represented by the 1971 cult item Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse, after which he continued to work steadily as a songwriter/producer for Wilson, Smith, and Gladys Knight & the Pips, among others. McDaniels' final solo album, Screams & Whispers, was self-released in 2004. He died in 2011.