Kevin Spencer

Kevin Bion Spencer was an American singer, keyboardist, bassist, songwriter and producer best known as a founding member of the Los Angeles SOLAR Records group Dynasty. Alongside vocalists Nidra Beard and Linda Carriere, and working closely with producer Leon Sylvers III and label founder Dick Griffey, he helped shape the sleek funk, disco and soul sound that made SOLAR one of the defining labels of early-1980s Black popular music.

Dynasty's 1979 debut album Your Piece of the Rock introduced the group with the UK hit "I Don't Want to Be a Freak (But I Can't Help Myself)." The 1980 follow-up Adventures in the Land of Music brought their biggest success, including "I've Just Begun to Love You," which reached the upper ranks of the U.S. R&B and dance charts, along with "Do Me Right," "Groove Control," and the album's sample-rich title track. Later albums such as The Second Adventure, Right Back at Cha!, Daydreamin' and Out of Control kept Spencer in the studio and on the road through the decade.

Spencer's influence stretched beyond Dynasty's own records. He co-wrote Shalamar's early hit "Take That to the Bank" with Leon Sylvers III and contributed as a songwriter and studio musician across the SOLAR family, including work associated with The Whispers and other label mates. Shalamar lead singer Howard Hewett later called his contribution to building the SOLAR dynasty in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s invaluable. Decades later he rejoined original members for Dynasty reunion recordings including "Escape" and the 2021 single "I Can Tell."

Spencer had reportedly been battling cancer when he died on September 17, 2026, at the age of 71. News of his death was shared by longtime friend and co-writer Ricky "Freeze" Smith, and Carrie Lucas-Griffey of SOLAR issued a tribute remembering him as a multi-talented musician and songwriter who was regarded as family at the label. Wikipedia's Dynasty band article and contemporary soul-music coverage document his place in the group's history and his passing.