Wayne Cochran (born 1939 in Thomaston, Georgia) is a soul singer, known for his outlandish outfits and white pompadour. He is sometimes referred to as The White Knight of Soul.
Cochran is best known today for writing the song "Last Kiss", which he performed with his band the C.C. Riders. Although it was not a success for him, later covers by J. Frank Wilson and Pearl Jam became hits.
Wayne Cochran currently is a minister in Miami, Florida. "Last Kiss" is a song that was written by Wayne Cochran in 1962 and originally performed by Wayne Cochran & the C.C. Riders, although their version of the song had little success.[1] The song was later covered by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, Wednesday, Pearl Jam, and several international artists, all of whom had success with the song.
Wayne Cochran was initially inspired to write "Last Kiss" after having lived near a dangerous highway where several accidents had occurred yearly.[1] Cochran began writing the song in 1956. He came up with the song's chord progression, first verse, and chorus, although more than five years would pass before Cochran finished the song.[1]
Cochran based the rest of "Last Kiss".