1972 Joe Simon – Drowning In the Sea of Love

1972 Joe Simon – Drowning In the Sea of Love

Joe Simon was born in Louisiana, where he began singing in his father’s church. His family moved to California when he was 14 years old. He joined the Golden West Gospel Singers and pursued his interest in singing. The group changed its name to the Golden Tones in 1959 when they began recording secular music.

Joe began recording solo records and first reached the R&B top ten with the song My Adorable One in 1964. He recorded a string of records that reached the chart over the next four years, but did not reach the top ten again until 1969.

Waylon Jennings had a top ten Country hit with his version of The Chokin’ Kind in 1967.

Joe covered the song two years later, and his single on Sound Stage 7 Records reached the top of the R&B chart and also made it to #13 on the Hot 100.

His success led to Joe moving to Spring Records. The new label paired him with songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and in 1971 they wrote and produced his next big hit, Drowning in the Sea of Love. They released the single in November 1971, and the record reached #3 on the R&B chart and #11 on the Hot 100 in early 1972.

Later that year, Joe co-wrote his next hit with his producers, Power of Love. That single also peaked at #11 on the Hot 100, but topped the R&B chart.