Van Allen Clinton McCoy

 Van Allen Clinton McCoy (January 6, 1940 – July 6, 1979)

He is known best for his 1975 internationally successful song "The Hustle". He has approximately 700 song copyrights to his credit, and is also noted for producing songs for such recording artists as Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Stylistics, Aretha Franklin, Brenda & the Tabulations, David Ruffin, Peaches & Herb and Stacy Lattisaw. He was a member of "The Starlights", a group that included his brother Norman McCoy Jr. His songs include, "Baby, I'm Yours," "When You're Young And In Love," "Stop The Music," "Right On Top of My Tongue," "Lean On Me" and "Sweet Bitter Love." In 1975 he had a #1 hit with, "The Hustle," which sold over 1 million copies and won a Grammy. In 1978 he wrote the theme song for the television movie, "A Woman Called Moses" and he also appeared in the film "Sextette" the same year. McCoy also had success with David Ruffin's comeback album, Who I Am, featuring "Walk Away from Love", (US#9, US#1 R&B) in the US and a UK Top 5 success. McCoy died from a heart attack in Englewood, New Jersey, on July 6, 1979, at the age of 39. He is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.