Lee Dorsey didn’t follow the usual path to stardom. Before becoming an R&B hitmaker, he was a Navy veteran and a successful boxer. But once he picked up a microphone, his distinctive voice and upbeat style won over fans in the U.S. and abroad.
With classics like “Ya Ya” and “Working in the Coal Mine,” Dorsey became one of the defining artists of 1960s New Orleans R&B.
| Lee Dorsey – Artist Profile | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Irving Lee Dorsey |
| Stage Name | Lee Dorsey |
| Born | December 24, 1924, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | December 1, 1986, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop |
| Known For | “Ya Ya”, “Ride Your Pony”, “Working in the Coal Mine”, “Holy Cow” |
| Years Active | 1958–1978 |
| Labels | Fury, Amy, Polydor, ABC |
| Collaborator | Allen Toussaint |
| Other Occupations | Boxer (“Kid Chocolate”), Auto Mechanic |
Early Life and Boxing Career
Irving Lee Dorsey was born on December 24, 1924, in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the age of 10, his family relocated to Portland, Oregon. During World War II, Dorsey served in the U.S. Navy. After returning home, he launched a career as a professional lightweight boxer, going by the ring name “Kid Chocolate.”
He was successful in the sport but retired in 1955. Following his retirement, Dorsey moved back to New Orleans, opened an auto repair shop, and began singing in local nightclubs.
The Beginning of a Musical Career
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Dorsey recorded a few early singles in the late 1950s with labels like Valiant and Rex, but they didn’t gain much attention. His big break came in 1960 when he connected with Allen Toussaint, a fellow New Orleans musician, producer, and songwriter.
Toussaint signed Dorsey to Bobby Robinson’s Fury Records, where they recorded the playful, nursery-rhyme-style single “Ya Ya.” It became a major success, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. The follow-up, “Do-Re-Mi,” also charted respectably, reaching No. 22.
Chart Success and Classic Hits
After a brief lull in his career, Dorsey returned in 1965 on the Amy label, a subsidiary of Bell Records. Again working with Toussaint, he recorded a series of funky, feel-good tracks that solidified his place in R&B history.
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“Ride Your Pony” (1965): No. 28 on the pop chart and No. 7 on the R&B chart
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“Get Out of My Life, Woman” (1966): No. 44 pop, No. 5 R&B
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“Working in the Coal Mine” (1966): No. 8 pop, No. 5 R&B, and No. 5 in the UK
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“Holy Cow” (1966): No. 23 pop, No. 10 R&B, No. 6 UK
Dorsey’s songs, written and arranged by Toussaint, were often filled with humor, catchy hooks, and New Orleans flair. His voice had a laid-back charm that made his records instantly recognizable.
Return to the Garage, Then a Short Comeback
Despite several follow-up releases between 1967 and 1970, Dorsey couldn’t replicate the same level of chart success. His 1970 album Yes We Can (Polydor), however, would later earn praise for its socially conscious lyrics and infectious rhythms. The album’s title track was later covered by the Pointer Sisters as “Yes We Can Can,” becoming a hit in 1973.
By the mid-1970s, Dorsey had mostly stepped away from music and returned to running his auto repair shop. Yet, he made brief comebacks:
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In the late 1970s, he signed with ABC Records and attempted to revive his career.
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In 1980, he opened for The Clash on their U.S. tour and performed with James Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Death and Legacy
Lee Dorsey passed away on December 1, 1986, in New Orleans from emphysema. He was 61 years old. Though his mainstream popularity didn’t last into the later decades, Dorsey’s influence continued.
His music has been covered, sampled, and featured in commercials and films. “Working in the Coal Mine” alone has been re-recorded by multiple artists and appeared in various movie soundtracks.
Final Thoughts
Lee Dorsey’s career was anything but ordinary. From the boxing ring to R&B radio hits, he left a mark on American music with his joyful energy and unforgettable tunes. While he may not have had a long run at the top of the charts, his songs continue to live on, bringing the spirit of 1960s New Orleans to new generations.