Carl (Carlo) Driggs, who was part of the bands Kracker and Foxy in the 70’s and was lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders from 1983 to 2004, died on May 31 at his home in Miami, FL after suffering a sudden heart attack.
The Raider’s saluted Driggs on their Facebook page:
It’s with a heavy heart we share to you, that former Raider Carl (Carlo) Driggs has passed away. Carl was the lead vocals for the group from 1983 through 2004. His pristine vocals captured the energy of the Hits and Songs of Paul Revere & The Raiders.
Carl has had a successful career in music. In the early 70’s Carl was lead singer for the band Kracker, that had modest success, enough to get the attention of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and sign them as the first group to their Rolling Stones Record Label, and as their opening band on European Tours. After Kracker, came more success for Carl with the group Foxy, where they charted #9 on Billboard and #1 on Soul for the hit song “Get Off”, followed by other songs that charted in the Top 100.
Then in 1983, Revere hired Carl to be the lead singer of his group until parting in 2004. Carl continued in music, and just recently released his book, A Lead Singer’s Life by Carlo Driggs.
Our thoughts are with his wife Tabatha, his children, family, friends and fans!
Carl, Thank you for all that you’ve given the world through your voice and music, and the energy you exuded in every show! A true entertainer and friend!
Watch Carl in Action with Paul, Doug, Omar, Ron, & Danny. Such a great show!
Kracker was formed in 1970 in South Florida and moved to Chicago the next year where producer Jimmy Miller helped them make their debut album La Familia (1972). Their second album, Kracker Band (1973) was picked up by Mick Jagger and Keith Richard for their Rolling Stones Records. The album contained the minor hit Because of You (The Sun Don’t Set) (1973 / #104) which was written by Driggs and the rest of the band.
In 1976, Kracker released their last album, Hot, which saw them taking on a more dance oriented sound.
Carl also became involved with the band Foxy, which also included Tito Puente’s son Richie. Driggs contributed one song to their first, self-titled album, The Way You Do the Things You Do, which went to number 5 on the Dance charts.
Driggs became more involved for Foxy’s second album, writing three of the songs including the band’s biggest hit, Get Off, which peaked at number 1 on the R&B, 9 on the pop and 18 in the dance charts. He also began playing percussion and singing with the group.
In 1983, Driggs joined Paul Revere and the Raiders as their lead singer, staying with the band until 2004.
