Born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, in a family of talented musicians, Goins was a master vocalist with a strong, haunting and powerful gospel voice.

Goins was particularly prominent on the Parliament albums Mothership Connection (1975), The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein (1976), and Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977).

He sang lead vocals on "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" and the remake of "Fantasy is Reality".

In 1977, Goins was one of the first of many musicians to leave Parliament-Funkadelic in reaction to what was perceived as very bad management by band leader George Clinton.

He formed his own funk band Quazar in 1978, featuring his younger brother Kevin Goins and drummer Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey.