Pat Upton (singer)

Pat Upton (August 5, 1940 – July 27, 2016), was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist with the band Spiral Starecase. He was the songwriter and lead vocalist in their 1969 single "More Today Than Yesterday" which peaked at 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, earning a gold disc. The song has been covered by Sonny & Cher, Diana Ross, Andy Williams, Lena Horne, Patti Austin and others. Upton later became a session musician and member of Ricky Nelson's band.

Upton, a native of Geraldine, Alabama, was on stage at the final show of Ricky Nelson. Nelson was playing at Upton's club, PJ's Alley, in Guntersville, Alabama on December 30, 1985, when Nelson asked Upton to fly with him to Dallas, Texas. Upton declined because of responsibilities to his club. Nelson went without him and four hours into the flight, the plane crashed, killing Nelson, Nelson's fiance Helen, and five members of Nelson's band.

Pat Upton lived with his former model and wife, Lynn Upton in Guntersville Alabama. They have 3 daughters, Danielle Jenifera, and Nicole, as well as one son, Patrick. He also is a grandfather to six, Natalie, Jacqueline, Maddie, Cooper, Cal, and Mia. Upton died in Geraldine, after a long, well lived life full of love as a result of a short termed illness on July 27, 2016, at age 75.