Dennis Coffey

Session guitarist Dennis Coffey was a dominant figure in Detroit during the early '70s. He recorded fusion and jazz-rock for Sussex, but gained more recognition doing dates with Marvin Gaye, R.J.'s Latest Arrival, the Temptations, the Jackson 5, and David Ruffin. Coffey landed a gold single with "Scorpio" in 1971, a tune that made the Top Ten on the R&B and pop charts. He issued more singles and LPs as a performer, with "Wings of Fire" becoming popular on the British jazz-funk scene in 1977. He formed and co-produced C.J. & Co that year, earning another hit with "Devil's Gun." His most recent release is the eponymous Dennis Coffey for Strut in 2011. ~ Ron Wynn