Rex Garvin (July 24, 1940[1][2] – December 2, 2013)[3] was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, keyboard player and arranger.
[2] In 1954, he helped form The Hearts, a female vocal group with whom he sang bass, played piano and wrote and arranged songs.
Managed by neighbor Zelma "Zell" Sanders, The Hearts' first record "Lonely Nights" was issued on the Baton label in early 1955 and reached No.
He remained involved with the group as their pianist, arranger, musical director and (in their own word) "maestro" through various personnel changes during the 1950s, later explaining that he did so "mainly to meet girls".
At the same time, Garvin became Sanders' main assistant at J&S Records, which she set up in 1956, and he was responsible for the label's typical full, bottom-heavy piano-laden arrangements.
[4] "Sock It to 'Em J.B." had a double meaning, being a tribute to James Bond performed in the style of James Brown;[2] it was issued as a single in the UK as well as the U.S., and later was covered by British band The Specials on their album More Specials in 1980 (a cover which lent the song a potential triple meaning, as it was also a form of homage to drummer John Bradbury).