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Don Varner (June 25, 1943 – October 7, 2002) was an American soul singer born in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in the same neighborhood as Eddie Kendricks, co-founder of The Temptations. After high school, Varner moved to Chicago to pursue a music career but returned to Alabama after six years to record at Rick Hall's Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. He wrote songs such as "I Keep Holdin' On" for Sam & Dave, collaborating with William Crump, and worked with Quin Ivy in Sheffield, Alabama, releasing tracks like "Masquerade" (1967), "Down in Texas" (1967), and "Tear Stained Face" on the South Camp and Quinvy labels. Although Varner did not release many recordings, he performed extensively in the South alongside other prominent soul artists. In the 1980s, he moved to California and toured as the lead singer of the Johnny Otis Show, participating in various European music festivals in 1985. Later in his career, he began recording gospel music. Varner passed away from a heart attack in Moreno Valley, California, in 2002 at the age of 59. A posthumous album of his music from 1968 to 1974, titled "Finally Go Over!", was released after his death.
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