Daryl Lynn Coley (October 30, 1955 – March 15, 2016) was an American Christian singer. At 14, Coley was a member of the ensemble “Helen Stephens and the Voices of Christ”. He began performing with Edwin Hawkins in the Edwin Hawkins Singers and then worked with James Cleveland, Tramaine Hawkins, Sylvester, Pete Escovedo and others. Albums of his include Just Daryl, He’s Right On Time: Live From Los Angeles, When The Music Stops and others.
Early life
Coley was born in Berkeley, California on October 30, 1955, spending his formative years in Oakland, California. His parents separated when he was five years old, with he and his two siblings being raised by his mother in a solid Christian home. Musically, Coley was first influenced by his mother. Daryl stated, “In my house there was gospel, classical and jazz. I had that kind of musical influence.” During his childhood, he learned to play clarinet and piano.[1]
In 1968, when Edwin Hawkins released “Oh Happy Day”, the contemporary arrangement caught Coley’s ear. In December 1969, at the age of 13, Coley first heard Helen Stephens And The Voices Of Christ, and by February of the next year had become a member of the nationally acclaimed ensemble. During his high school years, Coley was a student of Phillip Reeder, Castleers choir director at Castlemont High School. Reeder helped Coley broaden his musical boundaries and even influenced him to advance to college. Coley’s career advanced further as he pursued studies in college; being a top student, working toward a business degree, and even assisting in teaching college courses. However, when things began to open up musically, Coley took a break from his studies.He & his family later adopted Antonio Brooks as their God child & son.