Kitchen (2007) and Love Tornado (2008). He has also collaborated with rapper T.I. on two novels— Power and Beauty (2011) and Trouble and Triumph (2012). As a lyricist The platinum-selling song "Sexual Healing" was written in Ostend, Belgium in April 1982 and is credited as a collaboration between Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown, and Ritz. Ritz was not originally credited as songwriter, and his contribution to the song has been debated, with many sources claiming that he contributed only the title. Ritz sued Marvin Gaye for songwriting credit; Ritz received credit only after settling with Marvin Gaye's estate after the singer's death. Ritz claims that the lawsuit was settled because he had interview tapes with Marvin Gaye in which Gaye says, "These are great lyrics you wrote." David Ritz also co-wrote three songs including the title track from Guy King's 2016 album Truth. Personal life Ritz graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1966, and received a Masters of Arts from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1970, where he studied with literary critic Leslie Fiedler. He has been married to Roberta Michele Ritz since 1968. They have two children, twins Alison and Jessica, born in 1974. Awards 1992 Grammy, Best Album Notes for Aretha Franklin's Queen Of Soul - The Atlantic Recordings Ritz has also been nominated for four additional Grammys: “Ray Charles 50th Anniversary Collection,” Liner Notes (1997); “Ray Charles 50th Anniversary Collection,” Producer (1997); “Ray Charles—Pure Genius,” Liner Notes (2005); “Aretha Franklin—The Golden Reign,” Liner Notes (2008). 1993 Ralph J. Gleason Award for Jerry Wexler: Rhythm and the Blues. 1995 Ralph J. Gleason Award for Etta James: Rage to Survive. 1996 Ralph J. Gleason Award for BB King’s Blues All Around Me 2000 Ralph J. Gleason Award for the Neville Brothers' The Brothers Neville 2006 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for liner notes of Johnny “Guitar” Watson: The Funk Anthology, released by Shout! Factory 2011 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for liner notes of Nat King Cole & Friends: Riffin, released by Verve/Hip-O Select.com/Universal Music Enterprises 2013 Living Blues Reader's Poll, Best Book for When I Left Home: My Story – Buddy Guy and David Ritz – Da Capo Press 2013 Association for Recorded Sound Award for Best Historical Research in Blues/Gospel/Hip-hop/R&B for When I Left Home: My Story – Buddy Guy and David Ritz – Da Capo 2013 ASCAP Timothy White Award for Outstanding