Real name: Doris Diane McNeil

Effective period / Period of releases: 1968

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dee Dee McNeil's first published poetry was in the early 60's. She became a part of the legendary Motown Record Company on West Grand Blvd as a contract songwriter, singer and pianist. She still receives royalty money for tunes she penned for The Four Tops, Edwin Starr, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, David Ruffin, Kiki Dee, and more. She also wrote Rita Marley's "The Beauty Of God's Plan" and Nancy Wilson's "There'll Always Be Forever." In 1970, McNeil she relocated to the Los Angeles area. In 1971 she recorded her original songs and poetry with The Watts Prophets, thus kicking off her jazz vocal career.