Donald Gardner (May 9, 1931 – September 4, 2018) was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and drummer.

When the Sonotones played at the Smalls Paradise club in Harlem, New York, they were heard by blues performer Arthur Crudup, who recommended them to the Fire record label owner Bobby Robinson.

[6] The song was later recorded by Otis Redding, Alexis Korner, Tom Jones, Jackie Wilson, and many others.

Ford wrote the song "Let Me Down Easy", a hit for Bettye LaVette in 1965,[9] but soon retired from the music industry.

[1] Gardner continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s and 1970s, releasing a string of singles on various labels including Jubilee, Verve, and Tru-Glo-Town.