Cortez Dave "Baby"

Dave "Baby" Cortez, born David Cortez Clowney on August 13, 1938, was an American pop and R&B keyboardist known for popularizing the electronic organ in music. His most notable hit, "The Happy Organ," released in 1959, became the first instrumental track to top Billboard's Hot 100 chart, leading to another success with "Rinky Dink" in 1962. Cortez had a brief but influential career from 1956 to 1973, later returning to music from 2009 until 2011, before leading a reclusive life until his passing on May 31, 2022.

GENRES: Rock & Roll, Organ, Male Vocalist

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