Born on this day Feb. 12, 1935 Gene McDaniels was an American singer, songwriter, and producer best known for his smooth, soulful voice and a string of hits in the early 1960s. Born on February 12, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri, he grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He first gained fame with pop and R&B hits like **"A Hundred Pounds of Clay"** (1961) and **"Tower of Strength"** (1961). McDaniels' career evolved in the late 1960s and 1970s as he transitioned into a more politically conscious and jazz-i