Inez and Charlie Foxx

Inez & Charlie Foxx
Born	Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Rhythm and blues and soul duo
Years active	1960s–1970s
Known for	"Mockingbird"

Inez Foxx (September 9, 1937 – August 25, 2022) and her older brother Charlie Foxx (October 23, 1933 – September 18, 1998) comprised an American rhythm and blues and soul sibling duo originating from Greensboro, North Carolina. Inez was the lead vocalist, whereas Charlie contributed backing vocals and guitar. Numerous individuals, including Casey Kasem, erroneously assumed they were married.

Biography

Born to John and Peggy Fox in Greensboro, Charlie James Fox entered the world in 1933 and Inez Rebecca Fox in 1937, although later publicity materials cited different birth years. Professionally, they adopted the surname Foxx with a double 'x'.

Charlie started his singing career in a gospel choir during the early 1950s, with Inez joining him later. In 1960, Inez recorded as a solo artist under the name Inez Johnston for Brunswick Records, achieving limited success. By early 1963, they presented their rendition of the traditional lullaby "Hush, Little Baby", renamed "Mockingbird", to Henry 'Juggy' Murray of Sue Records. Issued on Sue's subsidiary Symbol Records in June 1963, it secured a spot within the US top 10 on both the rhythm and blues and pop charts. The single surpassed one million copies sold and was awarded a RIAA gold disc. Subsequent covers by artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Dusty Springfield, Etta James with Taj Mahal, and Toby Keith followed.

Despite the duo's collaboration, the label primarily promoted Inez as a solo act. After "Mockingbird," their attempts to replicate its success met with limited results; however, "Ask Me" and "Hurt by Love" achieved moderate chart presence in the US, with "Hurt by Love" also charting in the UK. In 1966, they signed with Dynamo, a subsidiary of Musicor Records. Their 1967 release "(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days" marked their return to pop charts. Renowned for their energetic performances, they toured extensively across Europe and played a significant role in shaping the Northern soul scene, especially through their well-received track "Tightrope."

In the late 1960s, Inez married songwriter and producer Luther Dixon. Together they penned and he produced the Platters' mid-1960s comeback hit "I Love You 1000 Times." Dixon also produced Inez and Charlie's 1967 album Come By Here released on Dynamo. The marriage eventually ended in divorce.

Beginning in 1969, Inez embarked on a solo career but experienced diminishing popularity throughout the 1970s. Following their separation as a duo, Charlie focused on songwriting and production. During this period, Inez recorded with Volt Records.

Charlie Foxx passed away from leukemia in 1998 at age 64, and was interred in Mobile, Alabama. Inez Foxx died in Los Angeles on August 25, 2022, aged 84 (though some reports inaccurately stated she was 79).

Chart singles

Year	Single	Chart Rankings
		US Pop	US R&B	UK
1963	"Mockingbird"	7	2	-
	"Hi Diddle Diddle" Inez Foxx	98	-	-
1964	"Ask Me" Inez Foxx	91	-	-
	"Hurt By Love" Inez Foxx	54	-	40
1966	"No Stranger To Love"	-	49	-
1967	"I Stand Accused"	127	41	-
	"You Are The Man"	-	32	-
	"(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days"	76	17	-
1969	"Mockingbird" (reissue)	-	-	33
1973	"I Had A Talk With My Man" Inez Foxx	-	74	-
1974	"Circuit's Overloaded" Inez Foxx	-	83	-

Albums

• Mockingbird (1964)
• Come By Here (1967)
• Greatest Hits (1968)
• Inez & Charlie Foxx's Swinging Mockin' Band (1968) (instrumental record showcasing their backing musicians)
• Inez Foxx At Memphis (1973) (solo album by Inez Foxx)
• Inez & Charlie Foxx (1983)