Jimmy Diggs

James Leon Diggs (11 October 1938 – 28 February 2023; Edgerville, South Carolina), professionally known as Jimmy Diggs, was an American soul singer and songwriter, best recognised as one half of the celebrated R&B duo, The Knight Brothers.

Alongside partner Richard Dunbar, Diggs helped define the emerging soul sound of the mid-1960s with a vocal style that bridged the gap between traditional gospel intensity and secular rhythm and blues. The duo’s signature hit, "Temptation 'Bout to Get Me", remains a cornerstone of the era, later covered by rock and soul icons alike, cementing Diggs' reputation as both a compelling vocalist and a skilled composer.

Early Life

Born in Edgerville, South Carolina, Diggs was raised by his grandmother and found his musical footing early, joining the choir of the Masadonia Baptist Church at the age of seven. He relocated to Washington, D.C. at 13, where the city’s vibrant vocal harmony scene would soon shape his future.

A year later, he met Richard Dunbar, a fellow young singer who had started in the Bibleway Church choir at age six. The two struck up a creative partnership in the early 1950s, eventually forming a doo-wop group called The Starfires. The group achieved regional traction and secured a recording contract with Decca Records in 1958, for which Diggs composed original material, laying the groundwork for his professional career.

Career

Transitioning from the doo-wop era to the harder edge of 1960s soul, Diggs and Dunbar formed The Knight Brothers (often billed as The Knight Bros.) and signed with Checker Records in 1963. Their breakthrough came in 1965 with "Temptation 'Bout to Get Me", a track penned by Diggs that reached number 12 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 70 on the Pop chart. The song’s enduring appeal was evidenced by subsequent covers from artists such as Billy Stewart, The Rationals, and The Rascals.

During this prolific period, Diggs also recorded with the group The Carltons on the Argo imprint between 1964 and 1965, further showcasing his versatility within the Chess Records ecosystem. Following a move to Mercury Records, which produced the single "Tried So Hard to Please Her", the duo disbanded in 1968 as their commercial momentum cooled.

Personal Life

Following the dissolution of The Knight Brothers, Diggs stepped away from the recording industry, effectively retiring from his professional music career to focus on his private life. While his former partner Richard Dunbar continued to perform with revived iterations of groups like The Orioles during the 1970s and 1980s,

Diggs remained out of the public eye, settling into a life away from the stage. He passed away on 28 February 2023 at the age of 84, leaving behind a respected catalogue of work that captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of Washington, D.C. soul music.