Curtis Edwin Lee, born on October 28, 1939 in Yuma, Arizona, was an American singer and songwriter. In 1959, he recorded early singles for small labels and performed in Arizona nightclubs, where he attracted the attention of singer Ray Peterson, who signed him to Dunes Records under the production of Phil Spector. His early releases included “Special Love” (1960) and “Pledge of Love” (1961). In 1961, he achieved his breakthrough with the single “Pretty Little Angel Eyes”, which he co-wrote with Tommy Boyce. Backed by the doo-wop vocal quartet The Halos, the song reached number 7 in the United States and number 47 in the United Kingdom. The follow-up single “Under the Moon of Love” (1961) reached number 46 in the United States. After Phil Spector departed the label, Lee's subsequent singles failed to gain traction, and his contract with Dunes Records ended in 1963. He returned briefly in 1967 in a blue-eyed soul style, releasing the singles “Sweet Baby” (1967) and “Get in My Bag” (1967) before retiring from the music industry. He later joined his father's carpentry business, eventually taking it over to specialize in custom homes and real estate. Lee died of cancer on January 8, 2015.
