Luther Ingram, soul balladeer responsible for such ’70s classics as “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right),” “Ain’t That Loving You” (For More Reasons Than One)” and “I’ll Be Your Shelter (In the Storm),” died Monday in St. Louis after a decade-long battle with kidney failure. He was 69.
For someone so closely identified with Southern soul, Ingram began his professional career in New York City, working with legendary producers Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller in the mid-’60s. Some of his early singles included “(I Spy) for the FBI,” “Exus Trek” and “Run For You Life.”
It wasn’t until he linked up with Johnny Baylor’s indie label, Koko (which was later marketed through Stax) that Ingram gained commercial success. Powering his booming, rugged, vulnerable voice, Ingram landed his first big hit in 1970 with “Ain’t That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One).” Two years later, he scored his biggest success with “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right),” a song covered by legions of singers.
After the demise of Koko Records in the late-’70s, Ingram’s recording career almost stalled. He re-emerged in 1986 with an eponymous-titled LP on the hip-hop imprint Profile. Ingram’s final disc, I Like the Feeling, came out in 1991 on the Atlanta-based label, Ichiban.
Born Luther Thomas Ingram on Nov. 30, 1937 in Jackson, Tenn., the singer is survived by his wife Jacqueline; two sons Luther Jr. (Eric) and Kenneth; and a sister and five brothers.