Jamaican-born Earl Heedram sang in church choirs as a boy but following graduation from High School decided to become an accountant in Toronto. Following a dare from friends in 1966 to appear on stage, Heedram gave up accounting and began a career as a disco icon named Pope. His career break came in 1970 when he opened for Natalie Cole at the Ontario Place Forum in Toronto.
A scout for RCA-Canada caught Earl's act while he was getting club work around Toronto and signed him to a one album deal. The 1977 song "Heaven On The Seventh Floor" broke the Canadian Top 20. The follow-up single, "Can't Get By Without You", failed to do as well.
By 1978 Heedram was re-christened Mighty Pope and signed with Quality Records under the tutelage of producer John Driscoll who surrounded him with top-notch talent, amongst them was Gino Soccio, for his second solo album 'Sweet Blindness'.
Upon release the album shot up the club charts and was picked up for American release by Soccio's label RFC Records. The first 12" single was a remake of the Bobby Rydell's hit "Sway" followed by a 12" single of the title track. Both songs would also be remixed by Jim Burgess and would score Top 40 placings on the U.S. disco charts.
But his induction to disco was short-lived and musical tastes shifter. RFC Records closed folded and Heedram eventually retired to the safety of accounting.
with notes from Greg Simpson.
Singles
1977 Heaven On The Seventh Floor
1977 Can't Get By Without You
1978 Sway
1979 Sweet Blindness
Albums
1977 Mighty Pope
1978 Sweet Blindness
Video
Compilation Tracks
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