Donal Leace was an American singer and songwriter who died of covid-19 in 2020 during the first wave of this deadly pandemic that shocked the whole world.
He was known for his melodic songs that kept winning the audience’s hearts with every release. He has devoted 54 years of his life to the music industry, giving numerous iconic hits.
Who Was Donal Leace?
He was born to Antoinette and Nathan Leace on May 6, 1939, in Huntington, West Virginia. He was up in Philadelphia and then relocated to New York City in 1959, sharpening his talents and finding his calling as a singer-guitarist.
Donal spent more than nine years at the renowned Cellar Door in Georgetown, which earned him the title of “Washington’s Favorite Folk Singer” during the 1960s.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Howard University in Washington, DC, serving as the organization’s president. Donal obtained graduate degrees from Georgetown and George Washington Universities and was recognized as a Fulbright Scholar and a US Presidential Scholar.
He was 81 years old at the time of his death in 2020. He was one of the many gems who lost their life because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Musician Death Cause And Obituary
Donal Leace died of Covid-19 on November 21, 2020, in Washington DC. He shared the stage over the years with many legendary musicians, such as John Denver, Odetta, Nina Simone, Judy Collins, Ramsey Lewis, Keter Betts, and Emmylou Harris, and performers like Dick Gregory, Bill Cosby, and Richard Pryor.
Donal toured domestically with Nancy Wilson and abroad with Roberta Flack while recording for Franc, Gateway, JBL, and Atlantic Records. In 1972, he launched his debut album, “Donal Leace,” then in 1992 and 2002, respectively, he released the CDs “Leace on Life” and “Leace Renewed.”
Donal Leace’s Family And Children
He was married to a woman named Jakki Browner in the past, but because of their disputes, they separated. Donal is reported to be one of the four kids of his parents. His siblings Myra Carter, Scheli Leace, and Sheldon Leace were present with him at the last moment of his life.
Despite being married once in his life, Donal didn’t have children with his ex-wife. Donal was selected for the Washington Area Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2000, and in 2003, he was honored in the Washington Music Hall of Fame of the Washingtonian Magazine.