As a professional writer for the past 35 years, my main focus has been the collaborative autobiography, a form I both respect and love. I've written twenty such books, in addition to two independent biographies.

As a novelist, my books include Sanctified Blues, The Man Who Brought the Dodgers Back to Brooklyn and Blue Notes Under a Green Felt Hat.

As a lyricist, my songs include "Sexual Healing," co-written with Marvin Gaye.

My essays and articles have appeared in Rolling Stone, Essence, People, US, Art Connoisseur and TV Guide.

I've been honored with an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award, a Grammy (Best Liner Notes) and, on four occasions, the Ralph Gleason Music Book Award (for collaborations with BB King, Etta James, the Neville Brothers and producer Jerry Wexler).

I live in Los Angeles with Roberta, my wife of 40 years.