<P> Don Julian (April 7, 1937--November 6, 1998) was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer, guitarist and songwriter . Most famous for his work as an R&B singer in the 1950s and 1960s, he's also known for composing the soundtrack and songs to the (so - called) blaxploitation film, Savage! . </P> <P> Born Donald R. Julian in Houston, Texas, United States, in his teens he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he began performing with local bands . </P> <P> He performed both solo and with backing bands . His most famous backing group was "The Meadowlarks" (later named The Larks (Los Angeles Band)), although most of his film music was performed with instrumental funk bands . The Meadowlarks is considered the first integrated doo - wop group . In 1954, Don Julian and the Meadowlarks' debut single "Heaven and Paradise", became popular with R&B fans . In 1964, the single, "The Jerk" was released under the band name, The Larks . The single, released on the Money label, was Julian's only chart hit . It went to number one on the Cash Box R&B chart and peaked at number seven on the Billboard R&B chart . </P> <P> Julian recorded several solo albums for a variety of record labels in the 1970s . </P>

Don julian and the meadowlarks heaven and paradise