Donnie Elbert
Donnie Elbert was an American soul singer and songwriter with a career spanning from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s.
Born on May 25, 1936, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Elbert moved to Buffalo, New York, at age three. He learned guitar and piano as a child and was influenced by Clyde McPhatter of the Drifters.
In 1955, he co-founded the doo-wop group Vibraharps, contributing as guitarist, songwriter, arranger, and background vocalist on their debut "Walk Beside Me." He went solo in 1957, signing with DeLuxe Records; his debut "What Can I Do?" hit No. 12 on the U.S. R&B chart, followed by regional successes like "Have I Sinned?"
Elbert recorded for labels including Red Top, Vee-Jay, and All Platinum, with regional hits like "Will You Ever Be Mine?" (selling 250,000 in Philadelphia). His U.S. chart success came in 1971 with a cover of "Where Did Our Love Go?"; in the UK, "A Little Piece of Leather" became a Northern soul favorite for his falsetto.
By the mid-1970s, frustrated with the industry—including disputes over song credits like "Shame, Shame, Shame"—he started his own label and later worked in A&R for Polygram's Canadian division. Elbert died on January 26, 1989, at age 52 (or 53 per some sources) after a stroke.
Where Did Our Love Go
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
A2 If I Can't Have You
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
A3 Will You Ever Be Mine
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
A4 Little Piece Of Leather
Written-By – Celestine Dallas, Donnie Elbert, James Dallas
A5 One Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Years
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
B1 Where Did Our Love Go
Written-By – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland, Jr.
B2 What Can I Do
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
B3 Get Myself Together
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
B4 Sweet Baby
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
B5 That's If You Love Me
Written-By – Donnie Elbert
Label: All Platinum – AP-3007
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Donnie Elbert’s 1971 album Where Did Our Love Go is widely regarded as a solid example of early 1970s soul, best known for its high-energy, falsetto-driven title track.
The album consists of ten tracks, blending original compositions with soulful covers. Critics and listeners highlight Elbert's unique delivery and powerful falsetto, which defines the record's "old school soul" feel.
The album features lush production in parts that some describe as "almost Philly" in style, despite its "down-home soul" simplicity.
While the title track—a cover of The Supremes—was a major hit, some reviewers feel the rest of the album lacks "true classic jams," characterizing the other tracks as "lowkey bangers" or "solid soul" rather than standout masterpieces.
The title single reached #15 on the U.S. pop charts and #6 on the R&B charts, while also becoming a significant #8 hit in the UK.
Overall, the album is frequently rated around 4.2 to 4.5 out of 5 by collectors on community platforms like Discogs.