Julius Dixon, Beverly Ross, and Fred Neil

Julius Edward Dixson (who also used the spelling Dixon) (May 20, 1913 - January 30, 2004) was born in Barnwell, South Carolina. He had greatest success co-writing with Beverly Ross, a rare musical pairing of an African-American male and a white female in the 1950s. Their first major hit was "Dim, Dim The Lights", which Bill Haley recorded in 1954. Also with Ross, Dixson co-wrote "Lollipop" for the duo Ronald and Ruby. It was later an even bigger hit for the Chordettes.

Fred Neil (March 16, 1936 – July 7, 2001) was an important American blues and folk singer and songwriter in the 1960s and early 1970s. He is best remembered for writing the top 40 hits "Candy Man" (with Beverly Ross) and "Everybody's Talkin'".


"Dim, Dim the Lights" performed by Bill Haley & the Comets
Words and Music by Beverly Ross & Julius Dixson


"Lollipop" performed by The Chordettes
Words and Music by Beverly Ross & Julius Dixson


"Candy Man" performed by Roy Orbison
Words and Music by Beverly Ross & Fred Neil


"Everybody's Talkin'" performed by Nilsson
Words and Music by Fred Neil