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Van Allen Clinton McCoy (January 6, 1940 – July 6, 1979) was an American record producer, arranger, songwriter and singer. He is known for his 1975 internationally successful hit "The Hustle". He has approximately 700 song copyrights to his credit, and produced songs by such recording artists as Brenda & the Tabulations, , , The Presidents, The Predidents allmusic Retrieved 8 April 2024 Faith, Hope & Charity, New Censation, Gladys Knight & the Pips, , Peaches & Herb, , and .

Childhood, family and education
Van McCoy was born on January 6, 1940, in Washington, D.C., the second child of Norman S. McCoy, Sr. and Lillian Ray. He learned to play piano at a young age and sang with the Metropolitan Baptist as a youngster.

In September 1958, McCoy entered Howard University and studied , but he left school two years later in order to resume his musical career.

Career
During his youth
By the age of 12, he had begun writing his own songs, in addition to performing in local amateur shows alongside his older brother, Norman Jr. The two brothers formed a combo named the Starlighters with two friends while in Theodore Roosevelt High School. In 1956, they recorded a single, "The Birdland", a dance record. It gained some interest, resulting in a tour with saxophonist . In 1959, the Starlighters produced three singles for that included "I Cried". Marriage and other commitments eventually caused the group to disband during the mid-1950s. Van also sang with a group the Marylanders.

As an adult
McCoy relocated to Philadelphia after leaving Howard University. He formed his own recording company, Rockin' Records, releasing his first single, "Hey Mr. D.J.", in 1959.
(1993). 9780851127330, Guinness Publishing.
This single gained the attention of owner Florence Greenberg, who hired McCoy as a staff writer and A&R representative for the label. As a writer there, McCoy composed his first success, "Stop the Music", for the popular female vocal group in 1962, who he also arranged for. He was co-owner of Vando Records with Philly D.J. . He owned the Share record label and co-owned the Maxx record label in the mid-1960s, supervising such artists as Gladys Knight & the Pips, Chris Bartley and The Ad Libs.

McCoy came into his own after first working for top producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller as a writer, and then signing with the major April-Blackwood music publishing concern, connected with . He began writing a string of hits as the 1960s progressed. He penned "" for Gladys Knight & the Pips (later a hit for both The Ad Libs and ), "The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven" for Chris Bartley, "When You're Young and in Love" for Ruby & the Romantics (later a hit for ), "Right on the Tip of My Tongue" for Brenda & the Tabulations, "Baby I'm Yours" for , "Getting Mighty Crowded" for , "Abracadabra" for , "You're Gonna Make Me Love You" for , and "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" for .

Joe Cobb was a songwriting partner of Van McCoy. The duo composed at least eighteen chart hits, including "So Much Love" by Faith, Hope & Charity, "Triangle Of Love (Hey Diddle Diddle)" by The Presidents on, "Right on the Tip of My Tongue" by Brenda & the Tabulations, and "Come Back and Finish What You Started" by Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Composition and production
Late 1950s to late 1960s
Cash Box reported in the June 13, 1964, issue that McCoy was appointed to the position of staff writer for the music publishing company April-Blackwood Music. He was working under . His duties included writing music and lyrics for all their labels, major and independent labels. He also had the responsibility to maintain the liaison with artists and producers. At that time, McCoy's composition "" by Gladys Knight & the Pips was doing well in the charts. It was at no. 56 in the Cash Box Top 100 and no. 10 in the Cash Box Top 50 in R&B Locations chart.

In 1965, had the Van McCoy-composed "Baby I'm Yours" released. She was originally reluctant to record it. It went to no. 11 that year.

Daedalus Productions – VMP Productions

By July 1965, McCoy and David Kapralik had formed Daedalus Productions. Their first production was to be a release by . At the time, McCoy's composition "Before and After" by Chad and Jeremy and "Baby I'm Yours" by Barbara Lewis were both in the Cash Box Top 100.

Around 1965, McCoy was promoting the Sweet Things, a female vocal outfit. Walking into a Washington, D.C., record store one day, he was roped into giving a young salesman there an audition in the storeroom. Soon he had an idea that he could put the salesman, Herb Fame, together with the Sweet Things lead singer Francine Barker, and they would be a duo. And that was the beginning of Peaches & Herb. He ended up arranging and co-producing their first hit, "Let's Fall in Love", for the Columbia subsidiary Date in 1966.

In 1966, he started his own short-lived label, Vando.

By March 11, 1967, McCoy had left Daedalus Productions and had started his own production company, VMP (Van McCoy Productions ). The new company formed new labels and distributed the product via independents. It also produced artists for various labels. Already by then a Daedalus production that McCoy had arranged, produced and conducted, "Let's Fall in Love" by Peaches & Herb was in the charts. Also the previous week, a record ("You're Gonna Make Me Love You") had been released by . It was done under the banner of Soul Sound Productions.

1970s
One outfit Van wrote or produced most consistently for was The Presidents, who had the hit "5-10-15-20 (25-30 Years of Love)".

In the early 1970s, McCoy had begun a long, acclaimed collaboration with songwriter/producer Charles Kipps, and arranged several hits for the soul group etc.

McCoy also had success with 's comeback album, Who I Am (1975), featuring "Walk Away from Love", (US No. 9, US No. 1 R&B) in the US and a UK top 10 success. He went on to produce the next two albums for Ruffin, which spawned further successes. His early discovery, Faith, Hope And Charity, had major success in 1975 with "To Each His Own". It was another R&B chart-topper. Also in 1975, he arranged two of his compositions, "My Heart's Too Big for My Head" and "You've Got to Tell Her", for the album She Loves to Hear the Music.

An example of multiple McCoy compositions in the same chart was for the week ending November 15, 1975, in the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart. In addition to his hit "Change with the Times", which at week 6 was at no. 8, there was "To each His Own" by Faith Hope & Charity at no. 10 at week 14, "When You're Young and in Love" by Choice Four at no. 71 at week 11 and "I Destroyed "Your Love" by Special Delivery at no. 71 at week 5.

For the week ending May 8, 1976, McCoy had four of his compositions in the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart. At week ten, "Heavy Love" by David Ruffin was at no. 17, and "This is It" by Melba Moore at week six was at no. 29. His own single, "Night Walk" was on its fourth week at no 52, and "Hey What's that Dance You're Doing" by The Choice Four on week five was at no. 60.

Also in 1976, McCoy produced 's "This Is It" and "Lean on Me".

Having changed the name of their production company Whitehouse Productions to McCoy-Kipps Productions in early 1976, McCoy and Charles Kipps had entered a new venture towards the end of that year. They had entered a production agreement to produce two albums of new R&B acts. A McCoy-Kipps Productions bio sheet for Kipps indicated that one of the artists could be actress . Dobson had signed with MCA sometime in the later part of 1976. Confirmation of things in motion appeared in the November 27 issue of Billboard. Dobson was the first artist to have a release scheduled for early 1977. Prior to that, in 1975 and 1976 McCoy had been seen escorting Dobson as well as dancing with her various venues.

During 1977, he produced Gladys Knight & the Pips' Still Together LP.

Recording career
1950s
McCoy along with brother Norman and two schoolmates, Freddy Smith and Paul Comedy formed The Starlighters. He was still at Dunbar High School at the time. It was then after he had transferred to Roosevelt High School in D.C. that "The Birdland" was recorded in 1956. The group later recorded "I Cried" which was released on the End Records label in 1959.Black Past, February 13, 2022 - VAN MCCOY (1940-1979)

1960s
First solo hit, Mr. DJ
On July 8, his single "Mr. D. J." entered the Cash Box Looking Ahead chart at no. 42, Cash Box, July 1, 1961 - Page 46 The Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD Cash Box, July 8, 1961 - Page 13 The Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD then peaking at no. 5 on August 19. Cash Box, August 12, 1961 - Page 20 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD Cash Box, August 19, 1961 - Page 14 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD Cash Box, August 26, 1961 - Page 13 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD It would also get to No. 101 on the Billboard chart. MusicVF.com - Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1961
Further activities
Making note of McCoy's success with "Mr. D. J.", Cash Box reviewed his single "Girls are Sentimental" / "Baby Don't Tease Me" (Rockin’ 1012). In the Pick of The Week section, the reviewer gave the A-side love ballad beat song and the B-side cha-cha beat romance song national potential. Cash Box, November 25, 1961 - Page 8 RECORD REVIEWS, Pick Of The Week

Having met (also known as Sandi Sheldon), who lived near his family in 1961, she became his romantic interest, and they became an item. For the next five years, they would sing and record music together professionally. Their relationship ended when McCoy delayed their wedding plans because of a work contract he had signed with .Van McCoy Music - Van’s Bio: Page 2 More About Van McCoy

Solo career on Columbia
By 1965, Columbia Records had recently acquired Van McCoy. McCoy's history as a songwriter was known in the industry. Managed at the time by , it was Kapralik who made McCoy known to Columbia vice-president, William P. Gallagher. Columbia wanted to push him as a recording artist. An article in the October 2 issue of Billboard wrote that the label was using its muscle in a promotion strategy to pitch him via a coast-to-coast tour of radio stations, extensive trade advertising, and promotional mailing to disk jockeys etc. Amongst this, there was to be a cover story about McCoy on the record company's nationally distributed company magazine, Insight.

The first single for the label consisted of two McCoy originals, "Butterfly" and "Keep Loving Me". Billboard, October 2, 1965 - Page 52 Van Getting the McCoy Buildup From Columbia The single at the time had "Keep Loving Me" as the A-side. Backed with "Butterfly", it was arranged by Gary Sherman, and was released on Columbia 43415. The October 2 issue of Billboard had it in the Pop Spotlights Top 60 section, a record predicted to reach the top 60 of the HOT 100 Chart. Billboard, October 2, 1965 - Page 16 SPOTLIGHT SINGLES, POP SPOTLIGHTS, TOP 60 Spotlights -Predicted to reach the top 60 of the HOT 100 Chart The following week, Billboard ran a picture of McCoy seated, signing his contract with Columbia vice-president William P. Gallgaher and manager Dave Kapralik looking on. Billboard, October 9, 1965 - Page 24 TALENT A full page advert for the single with McCoy pictured appeared on page 5 of the same issue. Billboard, October 9, 1965 - Page 5 (Advert) Yes. We've chosen the shortest but most positive word we know to introduce you to AN EXCITING NEW STAR. Van McCoy

It charted in Canada, making its debut in the R. P. M. Play Sheet chart at no. 36 on the week of October 25. R. P. M., Volume 4, No. 9 Week of October 25th, 1965 - Page 5 R. P. M. Play Sheet In her New York column, Harriet Wasser ( R. P. M.'s New York correspondent R. P. M. Vol. 2 - No. 8 - Week of October 19, 1964 - Page 1 RPM WELCOMES....) mentioned that McCoy singing on "Butterfly" sounded a bit like Nat King Cole and . R. P. M., Volume 4, No. 9 Week of October 25th, 1965 - Page 6 NEW YORK by Harriet Wasser With the magazine now calling itself, R. P. M. Music Weekly the single peaked at no. 10 on the week of December 6. R. P. M. Music Weekly, Volume 4, No. 15 Week of December 6th, 1965 - Page 5 R. P. M. Play Sheet R. P. M. Music Weekly, Volume 4, No. 16 Week of December 13th, 1965 - Page 5 R. P. M. Play Sheet

In 1966, McCoy recorded a solo LP for Columbia entitled Night Time Is Lonely Time. It was produced by .Genius - Night Time Is Lonely Time, Van McCoy

1970s
In 1972, he released his own solo LP on the label, Soul Improvisations. The album included a minor hit, "Let Me Down Easy", but it was not a success following poor promotion. A few years later, following his success with The Hustle, it would be re-released in abridged form (two songs less) as From Disco to Love. He would form his own orchestra, Soul City Symphony and, with singers Faith, Hope and Charity, produce several albums and give many performances.

Mainstream success
In 1975, McCoy released to low expectations the mostly instrumental LP for the (later H&L) label. The title song, "Disco Baby", was written by George David Weiss, and , and was also performed by for their 1975 album Thank You Baby. Unexpectedly, a single called "The Hustle" from the album, written about the dance of the same name and recorded last for the album, went to the top of both the Billboard pop and R&B charts (also No. 3 in the UK)
(2026). 9781904994107, Guinness World Records Limited.
and won a . The album was also nominated for a Grammy. McCoy, then regarded as a hitmaker, never repeated the success of the song, although later singles "Party", "That's the Joint" and "Change with the Times" would get significant airplay. The latter would reach No. 6 in the Billboard R&B chart and be a top 40 hit in the UK.

For the week of April 26, 1975, while "The Hustle" was at no. 7 on the Record World Disco File Top 20. He also had four of his songs on the Discotheque Hit Parade. "The Hustle" was getting spun at the Flamingo in New York as well as The Zanzibar at Washington, D.C., and The Directoire in New York. "Fire" was getting played at Disco 1985 in Los Angeles, "Disco Baby" was being played at The Zanzibar as well as "Turn this Mother Out". Record World, April 26, 1975 - Page 34 DISCO FILE TOP 20 Record World, April 26, 1975 - Page 34 Discotheque Hit Parade

On June 19, 1975, McCoy was in Montreal, Canada, attending a reception hosted by at the Limelight night club. There he was presented with a giant award with the inscription, "Presented to Van McCoy by Quality Records Limited, in recognition of "Love Is the Answer" for the song's achieving hit status in Quebec. The function was to also commemorate the first concert appearance of Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony at the Montreal Forum the next day on the 20th. RPM Weekly. Volume 23. No. 20. July 12, 1975 - Page 4 COVER STORY, Van McCoy - Soul with disco power

Making its debut on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart for the week of September 27, 1975, "Change with the Times" was at no. 78. Also that week, another composition of his, "To Each His Own" by Faith Hope and Charity was at no. 12 in the same chart. Cash Box, September 27, 1975 - Page 50 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B "Change with the Times" peaked at no. 8 on the Top 100 R&B Singles chart on the week of November 22. Cash Box, November 22, 1975 - Page 48 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B Cash Box, November 29, 1975 - Page 35 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B It had also on made its debut on the week of October 4 in the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart at no. 89, just behind by Silver Convention's "Fly, Robin, Fly" which was also making its debut. Cash Box, October 4, 1975 - Page 4 CASH BOX TOP 100 SINGLES Cash Box, November 15, 1975 - Page 4 CASH BOX TOP 100 SINGLES On the week of November 8, the single got to no. 52 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart, and held that position for another week. Cash Box, November 8, 1975 - Page 4 CASH BOX TOP 100 SINGLES Cash Box, November 22, 1975 - Page 4 CASH BOX TOP 100 SINGLES

Van McCoy Day
Tuesday, April 27, 1976, was a recognition day for Van McCoy. He was honored by members of the Washington broadcasting and political community. It was in recognition for his impact in disco. Involved in the celebration and sponsoring it were Douglas Stereo, Sam K's Record Shop, Gerrie's International House of Music and Universal Discount Records. They were joined Ray Mott, owner of the Sagittarius restaurant. The disco party was held there. The day also involved 60 second radio spots on most stations. The spots had been purchased by H & L Records. Events included McCoy visiting each of the record stores. He did interviews with radio stations WKYS, WOL and WHUR with the latter honoring his in their programs all day. He also did interviews for television stations which included TTG -TV. Billboard, May 8, 1976 - Page 63 General News, Washington Honors Its Van McCoy

Further activities
On New Years Eve, December 31, 1976, McCoy performed with band Stuff and brought in the new year at The Bottom Line, singing "When I Fall in Love". The show was recorded from the band's sound board. That song and another by McCoy, "You Still Be the One", appeared on an unofficially released Stuff album, Countdown To 1977, which also featured some tracks by Ashford & Simpson.Kohichi inamura channel - when i fall in love stuff with van mccoy, 31.Dec 1976 live at Bottom Line NYDiscogs - Stuff (2) with Van McCoy and Ashford & Simpson – Countdown To 1977Samuel Purdey - Jive Miguel, 321 : Stuff with Van McCoy and Ashford & Simpson

Sum up of (1970 to 1977) period
After his mega success with "The Hustle" there were no further major sellers in the US, despite a series of follow-up albums, From Disco to Love (the abridged 1975 reissue of Soul Improvisations), The Disco Kid (1975), The Real McCoy (1976), and Rhythms of the World (1976). However, he scored the UK top 5 again during 1977 with the instrumental success "The Shuffle". which became the theme tune for BBC Radio 4's Sport on Four.

"My Favorite Fantasy"
On March 25, 1978, his new album, My Favorite Fantasy, was reviewed. It was made up of original McCoy compositions and was co-produced with . The clarity, smoothness and easiness of his vocals as well as the strength and instrumental rhythm was noted. The picks by Billboard were "That's the Story of My Life", "Two Points", "You're So Right for Me", "Before and After", and "Wings of Love". "My Favorite Fantasy" wasn't a pick then. Billboard, March 25, 1978 - Page 150 Billboard's Top Album Picks, Soul However, two weeks later on April 8, Billboard had "My Favorite Fantasy" as a recommended soul single in the Top Single Picks section. Billboard, April 8, 1978 - Page 87 Billboard's Top Single Picks, Soul, recommended With Susan Kluth's review of the album in , she took note of McCoy's faultless vocals, the aspects of human life, and heart - wrenching lyrics etc. However, she didn't display any enthusiasm. , July 22, 1978 - Page 20 Advert My Favorite Fantasy

"My Favorite Fantasy" would become a hit. While it was charting, another composition of his, "Don't Pity Me" by Faith Hope & Charity, was seeing chart action in the same Billboard and charts. Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series: 1977 - Page 2224Billboard - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, WEEK OF JUNE 17, 1978 Cash Box, June 24, 1978 - Page 40 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B In the United States, "My Favorite Fantasy" peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, Billboard, June 3, 1978 - Page 58 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 6/3/78 Billboard, June 10, 1978 - Page 60 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 6/10/78 peaked at No. 51 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart, Cash Box, July 1, 1978 - CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B and it peaked at No. 48 on the Record World R&B singles chart. Record World, June 17, 1978 - Page 53 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART Record World, June 24, 1978 - Page 65 RECORD WORLD R&B SINGLES CHART In Canada, it peaked at No. 37 on the RPM Adult Oriented Playlist chart.Library and Archives Canada, RPM Weekly, Volume 29, No. 16 Jul 15, 1978 - Item: 9314, Page 35 RPM Adult Oriented PlaylistLibrary and Archives Canada, RPM Weekly, Volume 29, No. 17 Jul 22, 1978 - Item: 10382 (Page unknown) RPM Adult Oriented Playlist It also charted in the United Kingdom, getting on to the Record Mirror UK Disco Top 90 chart, peaking at No. 70. Record Mirror, August 5, 1978 - Page 19 UK DISCO TOP 90 Record Mirror, August 12, 178 - Page 25 UK DISCO TOP 90

Further activities
By July 1978, Faith Hope & Charity had recorded McCoy's composition "Don't Pity Me" and released it as a single.Who Sampled - Don't Pity Me by Faith, Hope & Charity Billboard, July 1, 1978 - Page 88 Billboard's Top Album Picks, Soul It was actually recorded earlier by 1976 British contestant Louisa Jane White, and released as a B-side of her 1977 single "Don't Stop". Shropshire Star, Sept 30, 2019 - Singing schoolgirl knocked on door of stardom by Toby NealDYANERO - Louisa Jane White - Don't Stop / Don't Pity Me Album The Faith Hope & Charity, produced by him, was released on 20th Century TC-2370. Record World, July 22, 1978 - Page 333 FAITH HOPE & CHARITY DON'T PITY ME Record World, May 13, 1978 - Page 22 RECORD WORLD SINGLE PICKS The song made its debut in the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart on week ending May 27, 1978. Cash Box, May 27, 1978 - Page 46 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B May 27, 1978 On August 12 at week twelve, it peaked at No. 12. Cash Box, August 12, 1978 - Page 38 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B August 12, 1978 Cash Box, August 19, 1978 - Page 46 CASHBOX TOP 100 R&B August 19, 1978 It peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart on week ending August 5. Billboard, August 5, 1978 - Page 56 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard Special Survey For Week Ending 8/5/78 Billboard, August 12, 1978 - Page 60 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 8/12/78

In late 1978, he produced and composed the A-side of the single "I'm Not Dreaming", credited to . It was backed with "Gotta Find a Way", released on LeJoint 5N-34002.45Cat - Zulema - Discography, USAMusic Metason - ArtistInfo, Zulema, I'm Not Dreaming

It was reported in the December 30, 1978 issue of Cash Box that was holding back on a Van McCoy recording, "Patrolers Theme". Instead of this recording they were coming with "Lonely Dancer" which was from McCoy's forthcoming LP. The project was overseen by Billy Smith and Richie Rivera was taking care of the mix. Cash Box, December 30, 1978 - C-44 DISCO BREAKS (continued from page C-32)

In early January, Richie Rivera presented for the first time his mix of Van McCoy's "Lonely Dancer" at a New York City club. Cash Box, January 6, 1979 - Page 32 DISCO BREAKS On the week of January 20, 1979, Cash Box wrote that a 12" release of "Lonely Dancer" / "Samba" was being released on MCA that week. Cash Box, January 20, 1979 - Page 55 DISCO BREAKS

The Zulema and friend single "I'm Not Dreaming" was in the Soul section of Billboard's Top Single Picks for the week of January 20, 1979. The review was favorable. It was revealed that the unnamed friend singing with Zulema was actually Van McCoy. The reviewer put it on par with other "silky, romantic" recent hit recordings by & , and & . Billboard, January 20, 1979 - Page 126 Billboard's Top Single Picks, Soul

By February, the Lonely Dancer album was out. It was reviewed by Cash Box in the February 24 issue. Referring to McCoy's and production values as stellar and first-rate background harmonies, the reviewer said that McCoy's baritone vocals were mostly first rate. The picks were "Merry Go Round", "The Samba" and "Lonely Dancer". Cash Box, February 24, 1979 - Page 17 REVIEWS ALBUM REVIEWS His release was part of an extensive campaign by MCA for the February releases which included releases by Joe Ely, Lane Caudell, Jeffree and Mel Tillis. The promotion strategy for McCoy's album was to build a strong base at a disco and R&B level. The paraphernalia to be distributed to the press, radio and retailers included a four-color poster and four-color button. Cash Box, February 24, 1979 - Page 29 MERCHANDISING, MCA Enacts New M'dsing Program Of the "Lonely Dancer" single, Brian Chin of Record World said, it was a "needed and pleasing change of direction for him". He also noted that McCoy sang lead on the song, the phased strings and Richie Rivera's mixing. Record World, February 3, 1979 - Page 22 RECORD WORLD DISCO, Disco File By BRIAN CHIN

Zulema's single, "I'm Not Dreaming" entered the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, peaking at No. 76 (week seven) on March 17, 1979, Billboard, March 17, 1979 - Page 38 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 3/17/79, Billboard Hot Soul Singles holding the position for another week. It had a total run of nine weeks in the chart. Billboard, March 24, 1979 - Page 68 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 3/24/79, Billboard Hot Soul Singles Billboard, March 31, 1979 - Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 3/31/79, Billboard Hot Soul Singles

Also in March, Stuff's album Stuff It was out. Along with Faith Hope & Charity, , McCoy provided backing vocals. Billboard, March 24, 1979 - Page 130 Billboard's Top Album Picks, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 3/24/79, Jazz

In 1979, Van McCoy was still connected with the disco scene. Cash Box ran a recent picture in their March 31 issue. McCoy was pictured with a bunch of people in New York during the National Disco Convention. Pictured were Joanna Beck, , Tony Beck, Lamarr Rene, radio personality; McCoy, Nick Mundy member of the Beck Family; and Billy Smith the national disco promotion manager for . Cash Box, March 31, 1979 - Page 64 LONDON DISCO

Death
On June 29, 1979, McCoy suffered a heart attack at his home in Englewood, New Jersey. He was hospitalized and went into a coma, but died at Englewood Hospital a week later at the age of 39. The New York Times, July 7, 1979 - Page 24 Van McCoy, Composed 'The Hustle,' Hit in '75 The Washington Post, 7 July 1979 - Van McCoy, 39, Composer of 'The Hustle,' Dies He is buried in the McCoy family plot at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Suitland, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Personal life
McCoy was set to marry in the spring of 1966. They had been in a relationship since 1961.Jet Oct. 21, 1965 - Page 64 New York BEAT McCoy's pursuit of his career ruined their wedding plans.Van McCoy Music - Discography 60s

During 1975 and 1976, McCoy was seen at various venues with actress .

McCoy never married or had any children. Sepia, Volume 27, Issues 1-6 - Page 56 - PAGE 56 He doted on his brother's four children and would give them gifts from places he went. He was greatly affected by the sudden death of his mother in 1973 from a brain hemorrhage and the death of his grandmother Mary Lindsay Ray in August 1976. Since the death of his mother, he had tried to distract himself by focusing on his career. After his grandmother died at the age of 101 or 102, both his physical and mental health declined.

Television and film
Van McCoy appeared on the Mike Douglas Show and was a regular guest on The Tonight Show. He wrote and sang the theme song for the 1978 movie that starred and and made a cameo appearance in it, playing a delegate from Africa. He also contributed some music for A Woman Called Moses. Along with Faith Hope & Charity, Brass Construction and Johnny Dark, he appeared in episode 4.20 of 's .

Discography
Studio albums
1966Night Time Is Lonely Time ———————
1972Soul Improvisations———————
1974Love Is the Answer———————
1975121331116—32
From Disco to Love18141—75——— Buddah
The Disco Kid821897——20— Avco
1976The Real McCoy10622————— H&L
Rhythms of the World—44—————
1977Van McCoy and His Magnificent Movie Machine———————
1978My Favorite Fantasy———————
1979Lonely Dancer———————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

  • Albums credited to Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony

Compilation albums
1976The Hustle and Best of Van McCoy193H&L
1979Sweet Rhythm—
1987The Best of Van McCoy—
2016The Best of Van McCoy—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles
1961"I Wantcha Back"—————————— align=left rowspan="12"
"Never Trust a Friend"——————————
"Mr. D.J."104—————————
"Girls Are Sentimental"——————————
1962"Follow Your Heart"——————————
1963"It Ain't No Big Thing"——————————
"Very Few Heartaches (Very Few Tears)" (with )——————————
1964"Two of a Kind" (with Kendra Spotswood)——————————
1965"Something Special" (with Kendra Spotswood)——————————
"Butterfly"—————10————
1966"Starlight, Starbright"——————————
"Take Me for What I Am" (with Kendra Spotswood)——————————
"The House That Love Built"—————————— Night Time Is Lonely Time
"Pledging My Love"—————————— align=left rowspan="5"
1968"Sweet and Easy"——————————
1969"The Generation Gap"——————————
"I Started a Joke"——————————
1970"Where There's a Heartache (There Must Be a Heart)"——————————
1972"I'm in Love with You Baby"—————————— Soul Improvisations
"Let Me Down Easy"——————————
1973"I'm in Your Corner" (with Sharon Ridley)—————————— align=left rowspan="1"
1974"Love Is the Answer"—7722——88———— Love Is the Answer
"African Symphony"———13——————
1975""—67————————
"The Hustle"1123913543
  • RIAA: Gold
  • BPI: Silver
  • MC: Gold
| align=left rowspan="1" Disco Baby
"Change with the Times"466—15—5231——36 The Disco Kid
1976"Night Walk"9651———————— The Real McCoy
"Party"6920—14——————
"Soul Cha Cha"———14——13—734 Rhythms of the World
"The Shuffle"10579—————6—4
  • BPI: Silver
1978"My Favorite Fantasy"—76———————— My Favorite Fantasy
"Two Points"——————————
1979"Lonely Dancer"—————————— Lonely Dancer
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

  • Singles credited to Jack & Jill
  • Singles credited to the Van McCoy Strings
  • Singles credited to Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
  • "Soul Cha Cha" charted with the tracks "Rhythms of the World" and "That's the Joint" on the Disco Action chart

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