Joe Jones, 79; Music Publisher, Advocate for Black Artists

Joe Jones, 79, a musician-turned-producer who sang the 1960 R&B; hit “You Talk Too Much” and later became an independent music publisher and advocate for black artists’ rights, died Sunday in a Los Angeles hospital of complications from surgery, said his son, Dwayne Jones. The New Orleans native had battled colon and prostate cancer in recent years.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, Jones broke into the New Orleans music scene as a bandleader, pianist and arranger before recording “You Talk Too Much,” his wife, Marion, said. Among the lyrics: “You talk too much, you worry me to death. You talk too much, you even worry my pet. You talk, you talk too much.”

Although the song hit No. 3 on the charts, Jones felt he failed to see any real money from it and began learning the business side of the recording industry. He also focused on developing other artists and is credited with discovering the Dixie Cups, who sang the 1964 hit “Chapel of Love.”

In 1973, Jones moved to the L.A. area and started an independent music publishing business. He also helped black artists who had signed away royalties in the 1950s and ‘60s recoup the rights to their work.