Donny Hathaway
Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:51:19 AM Wikipedia source
Donny Edward Hathaway (October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979) was an American soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter, backing vocalist, and arranger who Rolling Stone described as a "soul legend". His most popular songs include "The Ghetto", "This Christmas", "Someday We'll All Be Free", and "Little Ghetto Boy". Hathaway is also renowned for his renditions of "A Song for You", "For All We Know", "Jealous Guy" and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", along with "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You", two of many collaborations with Roberta Flack. He has been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and won one Grammy Award from four nominations. Hathaway was also posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Dutch director David Kleijwegt made a documentary called Mister Soul – A Story About Donny Hathaway, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam on January 28, 2020.
Infobox
Also known as
Donny Pitts
Born
Donny Edward Hathaway(1945-10-01)October 1, 1945Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died
January 13, 1979(1979-01-13) (aged 33)New York City, U.S.
Genres
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Occupations
Musiciansingersongwriter
Instruments
Vocalskeyboards
Years active
1966–1979
Labels
CurtomAtco
Tables
· Discography › Studio albums
US
US
Year
US
Album
US R&B
Chart positions
AUS
Chart positions
UK
1970
1970
Year
1970
Album
Everything Is Everything
Chart positions
73
Chart positions
33
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Certifications
—
Record label
Atco
1971
1971
Year
1971
Album
Donny Hathaway
Chart positions
89
Chart positions
6
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Certifications
—
1972
1972
Year
1972
Album
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
Chart positions
3
Chart positions
2
Chart positions
22
Chart positions
31
Certifications
RIAA: Gold
Record label
Atlantic
1973
1973
Year
1973
Album
Extension of a Man
Chart positions
69
Chart positions
18
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Certifications
—
Record label
Atco
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Certifications | Record label | |||
| US | US R&B | AUS | UK | ||||
| 1970 | Everything Is Everything | 73 | 33 | — | — | — | Atco |
| 1971 | Donny Hathaway | 89 | 6 | — | — | — | |
| 1972 | Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway | 3 | 2 | 22 | 31 | RIAA: Gold | Atlantic |
| 1973 | Extension of a Man | 69 | 18 | — | — | — | Atco |
· Discography › Live albums
US
US
Year
US
Album
US R&B
1972
1972
Year
1972
Album
Live
Chart positions
18
Chart positions
4
Certifications
RIAA: Gold
Record label
Atco
1980
1980
Year
1980
Album
In Performance
Chart positions
201
Chart positions
68
Certifications
—
Record label
Atlantic
2004
2004
Year
2004
Album
These Songs for You, Live!
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
78
Certifications
—
2014
2014
Year
2014
Album
Live at the Bitter End, 1971
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Certifications
—
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
Year
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Certifications | Record label | |
| US | US R&B | ||||
| 1972 | Live | 18 | 4 | RIAA: Gold | Atco |
| 1980 | In Performance | 201 | 68 | — | Atlantic |
| 2004 | These Songs for You, Live! | — | 78 | — | |
| 2014 | Live at the Bitter End, 1971 | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | |||||
· Discography › Soundtrack albums
US
US
Year
US
1972
1972
Year
1972
Album
Come Back Charleston Blue
Chart positions
198
Record label
Atco
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Record label |
| US | |||
| 1972 | Come Back Charleston Blue | 198 | Atco |
· Discography › Compilation albums
US
US
Year
US
Album
US R&B
Chart positions
KOR (Int.)
1972
1972
Year
1972
Album
The Most Beautiful Songs of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Record label
Atlantic
1978
1978
Year
1978
Album
The Best of Donny Hathaway
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
51
Chart positions
—
Record label
Atco
1990
1990
Year
1990
Album
A Donny Hathaway Collection
Chart positions
108
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Record label
Atlantic
2000
2000
Year
2000
Album
Free Soul: The Classic of Donny Hathaway
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Record label
WEA Int'l
2010
2010
Year
2010
Album
Someday We'll All Be Free
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Record label
Atlantic
Original Album Series
Original Album Series
Year
Original Album Series
Album
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
2011
2011
Year
2011
Album
Flashback with Donny Hathaway
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
2013
2013
Year
2013
Album
Never My Love: The Anthology
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
67
Record label
Atco
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
Year
"—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Record label | ||
| US | US R&B | KOR (Int.) | |||
| 1972 | The Most Beautiful Songs of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway | — | — | — | Atlantic |
| 1978 | The Best of Donny Hathaway | — | 51 | — | Atco |
| 1990 | A Donny Hathaway Collection | 108 | — | — | Atlantic |
| 2000 | Free Soul: The Classic of Donny Hathaway | — | — | — | WEA Int'l |
| 2010 | Someday We'll All Be Free | — | — | — | Atlantic |
| Original Album Series | — | — | — | ||
| 2011 | Flashback with Donny Hathaway | — | — | — | |
| 2013 | Never My Love: The Anthology | — | — | 67 | Atco |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | |||||
· Discography › Singles
US
US
Year
US
Single
US R&B
Chart positions
USAC
Chart positions
UK
1969
1969
Year
1969
Single
"I Thank You Baby" (with June Conquest)
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
45
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
1970
1970
Year
1970
Single
"The Ghetto – Part 1"
Chart positions
87
Chart positions
23
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
"This Christmas"
"This Christmas"
Year
"This Christmas"
Single
34
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
63
Chart positions
BPI: Silver
1971
1971
Year
1971
Single
"You've Got a Friend" (with Roberta Flack)
Chart positions
29
Chart positions
8
Chart positions
36
Chart positions
—
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (with Roberta Flack)
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (with Roberta Flack)
Year
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (with Roberta Flack)
Single
71
Chart positions
30
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
1972
1972
Year
1972
Single
"Little Ghetto Boy"
Chart positions
109
Chart positions
25
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
"Giving Up"
"Giving Up"
Year
"Giving Up"
Single
81
Chart positions
21
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
"I Thank You" (re-release) (with June Conquest)
"I Thank You" (re-release) (with June Conquest)
Year
"I Thank You" (re-release) (with June Conquest)
Single
94
Chart positions
41
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
"Where Is the Love" (with Roberta Flack)
"Where Is the Love" (with Roberta Flack)
Year
"Where Is the Love" (with Roberta Flack)
Single
5
Chart positions
1
Chart positions
1
Chart positions
29
Chart positions
RIAA: Gold
"Come Back Charleston Blue" (with Margie Joseph)
"Come Back Charleston Blue" (with Margie Joseph)
Year
"Come Back Charleston Blue" (with Margie Joseph)
Single
102
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
Year
"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
Single
60
Chart positions
20
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
1973
1973
Year
1973
Single
"Love, Love, Love"
Chart positions
44
Chart positions
16
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
"Come Little Children"
"Come Little Children"
Year
"Come Little Children"
Single
—
Chart positions
67
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
1978
1978
Year
1978
Single
"The Closer I Get to You" (with Roberta Flack)
Chart positions
2
Chart positions
1
Chart positions
3
Chart positions
42
Certifications
RIAA: Gold
"You Were Meant for Me"
"You Were Meant for Me"
Year
"You Were Meant for Me"
Single
—
Chart positions
17
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
—
1980
1980
Year
1980
Single
"You Are My Heaven" (with Roberta Flack)
Chart positions
47
Chart positions
8
Chart positions
46
Chart positions
—
"Back Together Again" (with Roberta Flack)
"Back Together Again" (with Roberta Flack)
Year
"Back Together Again" (with Roberta Flack)
Single
56
Chart positions
8
Chart positions
—
Chart positions
3
"—" denotes the single failed to chart or was not certified
"—" denotes the single failed to chart or was not certified
Year
"—" denotes the single failed to chart or was not certified
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Certifications | |||
| US | US R&B | USAC | UK | |||
| 1969 | "I Thank You Baby" (with June Conquest) | — | 45 | — | — | |
| 1970 | "The Ghetto – Part 1" | 87 | 23 | — | — | |
| "This Christmas" | 34 | — | — | 63 | BPI: Silver | |
| 1971 | "You've Got a Friend" (with Roberta Flack) | 29 | 8 | 36 | — | |
| "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin (with Roberta Flack) | 71 | 30 | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "Little Ghetto Boy" | 109 | 25 | — | — | |
| "Giving Up" | 81 | 21 | — | — | ||
| "I Thank You" (re-release) (with June Conquest) | 94 | 41 | — | — | ||
| "Where Is the Love" (with Roberta Flack) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 29 | RIAA: Gold | |
| "Come Back Charleston Blue" (with Margie Joseph) | 102 | — | — | — | ||
| "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" | 60 | 20 | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "Love, Love, Love" | 44 | 16 | — | — | |
| "Come Little Children" | — | 67 | — | — | ||
| 1978 | "The Closer I Get to You" (with Roberta Flack) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 42 | RIAA: Gold |
| "You Were Meant for Me" | — | 17 | — | — | ||
| 1980 | "You Are My Heaven" (with Roberta Flack) | 47 | 8 | 46 | — | |
| "Back Together Again" (with Roberta Flack) | 56 | 8 | — | 3 | ||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
References
- The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/donny-hathaway-two-rarities-from-new-anthology-song-premiere-238817/
- "Donny Hathaway: Live + In Performance"https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/donny-hathaway/Content?oid=3289576
- "Shout! Factory to Reissue Two Acclaimed Donny Hathaway Live Albums July 17"https://news.allaboutjazz.com/shout-factory-to-reissue-two-acclaimed-donny-hathaway-live-albums-july-17.php?width=600
- "Donny Hathaway"https://stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductee/donny-hathaway/
- "Donny Hathaway"https://web.archive.org/web/20200717102351/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/donny-hathaway
- "Recording Academy™ to Honor Special Merit Awards Recipients With GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends™ on May 11"https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/blog/recording-academy-to-honor-special-merit-awards-recipients-with-grammy-salute-to-music-legends-on-may-11/
- "Mister Soul – A Story About Donny Hathaway"https://web.archive.org/web/20200919225243/https://iffr.com/en/2020/films/mister-soul-%E2%80%93-a-story-about-donny-hathaway
- Ebonyhttps://books.google.com/books?id=99QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61
- Andscapehttps://andscape.com/features/donny-hathaways-eternal-christmas-gift/
- UnSung, Episode 104, TV One
- VH1https://web.archive.org/web/20020822122625/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/hathaway_donny/artist.jhtml
- The Book of Golden Discshttps://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/312
- "Music - Review of Donny Hathaway - Live"https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fnwx/
- The Quietushttps://thequietus.com/articles/11293-best-live-albums
- Jethttps://books.google.com/books?id=GFsDAAAAMBAJ&
- "Donny Hathaway: Reassessing His Musical Life"https://web.archive.org/web/20110928093440/http://www.soulmusic.com/doha19in.html
- "Donny Hathaway US chart history"https://web.archive.org/web/20121013014954/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/donny-hathaway-mn0000182360/awards
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/arts/music/donny-hathaway-lalah-hathaway.amp.html
- The New Yorkerhttps://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/eulaulah-hathaway-on-her-musical-marriage-to-donny-hathaway/amp
- Donny Hathaway's Donny Hathaway Live (33 1/3)
- www.theroot.comhttps://www.theroot.com/do-you-know-the-tragic-story-of-donny-hathaway-a-soul-1851779736/slides/11
- mrt.orghttps://web.archive.org/web/20220703030509/https://mrt.org/sites/default/files/Donny%20Roberta%20bios%20combined%20reduced.pdf
- www.listeningsessions.cahttps://www.listeningsessions.ca/p/donny-hathaways-sack-full-of-dreams
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/15/archives/donny-hathaway-33-pop-and-blues-singer-dead-in-hotel-plunge-hit.html
- NME Rock 'N' Roll Years
- Jethttps://books.google.com/books?id=h0IDAAAAMBAJ&q=donny+hathaway&pg=PA52
- "Donny Hathaway: Neglected Heart Of Soul"https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127935255
- "100 Greatest Singers"https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/donny-hathaway-20101202
- "Island Records to release new Amy Winehouse album"https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/island-records-to-release-new-amy-winehouse-album
- Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventieshttps://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg70/further.php
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/donny-hathaway/chart-history/tlp/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/donny-hathaway/chart-history/blp/
- Australian Chart Book 1970–1992
- "Donny Hathaway - full Official Chart History"https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29499/donny-hathaway/
- "Donny Hathaway US certification history"https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Donny%20Hathaway&format=Album&go=Search&perPage=25
- Gaonhttp://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/search/list.gaon?serviceGbn=&nationGbn=&yyyy=2013&condition=2&search_str=donny+hathaway
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/donny-hathaway/chart-history/hsi/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/donny-hathaway/chart-history/bsi/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/donny-hathaway/chart-history/asi/
- bpi.co.ukhttps://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17754-6602-1
- "Mythic Quest" Peter (TV Episode 2021) - IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt14596562/soundtrack/