Gary Byrd was a radio talk-show host in the '80s and '90s, appearing weekdays on radio station WLIB in New York City. Byrd's musical roots extend to the '60s, when he met Stevie Wonder and wrote the lyrics for his songs Black Man and Village Ghetto Land both of which appear on Songs In The Key Of Life. Byrd and Wonder collaborated again in 1983 when Byrd co-wrote the historical/inspirational tune The Crown which was issued as a 12-inch on Wonder's Wondirection label. Wonder co-wrote the number, and also produced and sang on it. Byrd was a disc jockey in England during 1984, hosting a gospel radio program on the BBC.