At 19, Jim McGowan was the victim of an assault which left him with paralyzed legs. He later worked as an R&B singer in the 1950s with the group the Four Fellows, whose song "Solider Boy" was a number one hit. He late became an academic and has written a book about an Underground Railroad figure in "The Life and Letters of Thomas Garnett," as well as a history of R&B. He is also an activist for disabled persons and was the photographer for the book "Wheelchair Champions."