In my cover story on Michelle Rhee and the Washington Teachers’ Union, I mention that WTU President George Parker is a former musician. Allow me to expand on that: Before becoming a full-time WTU teacher in 1980, Parker had some pretty serious chops.

According to Parker, one R&B outfit he sang for, Special Delivery, had a No. 1 hit locally with a tune called “I Destroyed Your Love.” (It landed around 20 on the national R&B charts.) Parker says he’s a natural alto, but could sing anywhere from tenor down to baritone. The stand-up vocal group opening for some of the top acts of the day, Parker says, including Natalie Cole.

Check out this YouTubed version of “I Destroyed Your Love”—set to some cheezy scenes from what appear to be B-movie versions of Zane and Eric Jerome Dickey novels (I’m pretty sure Blair Underwood‘s in there, and is that Terence Howard?). Anyway, it’s damn sweet track.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdgavJUzb5o]