Former R&B Legend, Singer For The Spaniels Dies

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 21, 2008 9:00PM

Opal Courtney Jr., 71, passed away from a heart attack in Gary, Indiana. Courtney was an original member of the R&B group The Spaniels. The Spaniels, including Courtney, had big hits with songs like "Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight" and "Baby, It's You." Testimonials poured in following his death:

"He had a real high tenor voice," said Gary's Willie C. Jackson, an original Spaniel.

"His voice always cut through; it was very clear," noted Gary's Wilton Crump, a latter-day singer and musical director for the Spaniels.