Edward James Cooley, known as Eddie Cooley, was an influential American R&B singer and songwriter born on April 15, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia. He passed away on his 87th birthday, April 15, 2020, in Meridian, Mississippi. Cooley is best known for co-writing the iconic song "Fever," which became a major hit for Little Willie John in 1956 and was later covered by renowned artists such as Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Madonna, and Beyoncé.

Cooley moved to New York City, where he collaborated with songwriter Otis Blackwell. Together, they contributed to the success of several artists on the King label, including The 5 Royales and Joe Tex. In 1956, Cooley achieved a pop hit with the song "Priscilla," recorded with The Dimples, a trio of female singers. The song reached #20 on the Billboard pop chart, marking a notable moment in his career.

Although Cooley was not primarily a performer, he toured to promote "Priscilla." His subsequent recordings with The Dimples did not achieve the same success, leading him to focus on songwriting. His compositions were recorded by artists such as Tiny Topsy, Buzz Clifford, and Conway Twitty. In the early 1960s, Cooley contributed to the album "We Wrote 'Em, We Sing 'Em," performing "Fever" and "Lay It On."

Eddie Cooley's legacy endures through his contributions to R&B music and his role in creating one of the most enduring songs of the 20th century.