Gene McDaniels, Influential Soul Musician, Dies at 76 ?

Singer and songwriter Gene McDaniels passed away Friday at his home in Maine at the age of 76. A post on his website reads:

“Gene McDaniels, adored father, adoring husband and incredible friend passed gently into the sweet forever on July 29, 2011 at his home on the Maine coast that he loved so much.”

McDaniels, who had his greatest recording success when he hit number three in the spring of 1961 with “A Hundred Pounds of Clay’’ and number five later that year with “Tower of Strength,’’ is well known for penning “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” a popular R&B song which Roberta Flack took to the top of the charts in 1974, and later received three Grammy nominations for.

In addition to his musical talents, McDaniels also appeared in a number of films during his day. They include the 1962 film, It’s Trad, Dad!, 1963?s The Young Swingers, and the 1974 film, Uptown Saturday Night.

Living his later life as a self-described hermit in Maine, Gene’s final work was a series of YouTube videos featuring his music and comments on his life.

In memory of McDaniels, check out this clip of him singing Another Tear Falls.