Linda Lewis

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For the author, see Linda Lewis (author). For the American singer, songwriter and pianist, see Linda Gail Lewis.

Linda Lewis
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    • Linda Ann Fredericks (27 September 1950 – 3 May 2023), better known as Linda Lewis, was an English singer, songwriter and musician. She is best known for the singles "

    Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Rick Wakeman, Rod Stewart, Peter Bardens,[3] Hummingbird, Joan Armatrading and Jamiroquai.[4]

    She was the eldest of six children, three of whom also had singing careers. Lewis was a self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, influenced by

    funk
    and soul.

    Biography

    Early life

    Linda Fredericks was born in

    blue beat, Jamaican-style music.[2]

    In 1964, she sang "

    Northern Soul record.[7][8] Polydor worried that her name, Linda Fredericks, would be confused with Linda Kendrick, who was also signed to Polydor. Fredericks used the name Linda Lewis in honour of singer Barbara Lewis. The surname would also be used professionally by her sisters, Dee Lewis and Shirley Lewis, and her mother.[9]

    1970s

    During 1967, Linda Lewis formed White Rabbit with

    Hummingbird (1975).[4] She then signed to Family's new Warner/Reprise distributed "Raft" label.[11]

    Her first hit single "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" reached No. 15 in the

    UK Singles Chart.[3] [1] The singles "The Old Schoolyard" which Cat Stevens wrote for her, and "It's in His Kiss" were produced by the team of Tony Sylvester and Bert de Coteaux.[13][14] On 5 July 1975, Lewis opened the Knebworth Festival, being followed by Roy Harper, Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, the Steve Miller Band and Pink Floyd. She sings on the Go Too album, released in 1977, with Jess Roden. Three more albums followed over the next few years. In 1986 and 1987, she recorded with her sisters Dee and Shirley as Lewis, then as Lewis Sisters.[15]

    Later years

    During the next decade, Lewis retreated from public life and moved to

    Warner Bros. Records released Reach for the Truth: The Best of the Reprise Years (2002), an anthology of her work during the previous thirty years. This was followed by BMG releasing The Best of Linda Lewis (2003),[4] which included her hit singles. During 2003 she also appeared at the Glastonbury Festival,[2] and was filmed by BBC Television when she appeared on the Jazz World Stage.[17] She appeared again at the 2011 Festival.[18]

    Lewis in 2011.

    Her song "Old Smokey" was used by the rapper

    anime film Vexille. In 2023, Lewis collaborated with UK folk-funk band The Paracosmos. Their single "Earthling" featured additional vocals by Lewis. The single was released in March 2023 and was debuted on Gilles Peterson's BBC 6 Music show where he proclaimed "Linda Lewis is back". The single would be her last release during her lifetime.[23]

    Critical reception

    Lewis had a five-octave

    Allmusic, Amy Hanson described Lewis's voice as "remarkable and dynamic".[24] Of Lewis's ability to sing in the whistle register, Hanson comments in her review of Lark (1972), "No longer a wild weapon that can soar from childlike lilt to screaming dog whistle without a moment's notice, she channels her range to the emotions it demands."[25] Lewis's voice has also been compared to that of Mariah Carey. Reviewer Melissa Weber commented that her voice had similarities to that of Minnie Riperton, and that Lewis had "a wider vocal range [than Riperton], with the ability to sing in a lower register."[26]

    Personal life and death

    Lewis married fellow musician Jim Cregan in 1977, but after three years they divorced. Lewis later said: "We were apart too much – especially after Jim joined Rod Stewart's band – and we were both unfaithful." In 2004 she married music agent Neil Warnock.[27] She was a member of SAG-AFTRA, Equity (UK) and Equity (Ireland).[28] In her later years Lewis lived in Ramsgate in Kent.[29]

    Lewis died at her home in

    Everything But The Girl and radio DJ Gilles Peterson also paid tribute. Cat Stevens tweeted: "I'm so sorry to hear of Linda Lewis passing. She was a good soul-friend and fine artist", adding that Lewis was like "an amazing bird that kindly visited the window sill of our earthly house for a few days, then flew away back to her garden".[32]

    Discography

    Studio albums

    Year Album Label UK
    [1][33]
    1971 Say No More[34] Reprise —
    1972 Lark[35] —
    1973 Fathoms Deep[36] Raft —
    1975 Not a Little Girl Anymore[37] Arista 40
    1977 Woman Overboard[38] —
    1979 Hacienda View[39]
    Ariola
    		 —
    1983 A Tear and a Smile [40] Epic —
    1995 Second Nature[41] Sony —
    1997 Whatever...[42] Turpin —
    1999 Kiss of Life[43] —
    "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

    Live albums

    Collaboration

    • Have You Noticed? Ludmilla featuring Linda Lewis (Reprise, 1993)[47]

    Compilations

    • Heart Strings (Reprise, 1974)[48]
    • The Best of Linda Lewis (BMG, 1996)[49]
    • Best of Linda Lewis (Camden, 1997)[50]
    • Reach for the Truth: Best of the Reprise Years 1971–74 (
      Rhino, 2002)[51]
    • Legends (BMG, 2005)[52]
    • Hampstead Days (Troubadour, previously unreleased 1970s sessions and concert material, 2014)[53]
    • Moon & I (Soundtrack of the animated film, Dick Deadeye - GML.1018) 1975.

    Singles

    Year Single Peak chart positions
    UK
    [1][33]
    		 IRE
    		 ITA
    		 US R&B
    [54]     		US Dance
    [54]
    1967 "You Turned My Bitter into Sweet"[55] ― ― ― ― ―
    1971 "We Can Win" ― ― ― ― ―
    1972 "Old Smokey" ― ― ― ― ―
    1973 "Reach for the Truth" ― ― ― ― ―
    "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" 15 ― ― ― ―
    "Play Around" 53
    [A]     		― ― ― ―
    1974 "Sideway Shuffle" 58
    [A]     		― ― ― ―
    "(Remember the Days of) The Old Schoolyard"[56] ― ― ― ― ―
    1975 "It's in His Kiss" 6 9 19 96 11
    "Rock and Roller Coaster"[57] 53
    [A]     		― ― ― ―
    1976 "Baby I'm Yours" 33 ― ― ― ―
    "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" 51
    [A]     		― ― ― ―
    "Winter Wonderland" ― ― ― ― ―
    1977 "Come Back and Finish What You Started" ― ― ― ― ―
    "Can't We Just Sit Down and Talk It Over" ― ― ― ― ―
    1978 "It's Good" ― ― ― ― ―
    1979 "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You"[58] 40 ― ― ― ―
    "109, Jamaica Highway" ― ― ― ― ―
    1980 "Sleeping Like a Baby Now" ― ― ― ― ―
    1982 "Why Can't I Be the Other Woman" ― ― ― ― ―
    1983 "This Boy" ― ― ― ― ―
    "(Close the Door) Take Your Heart" ― ― ― ― ―
    1984 "Class/Style (I've Got It)" 120
    [59]     		― ― ― ―
    2000 "Reach Out"
    (Midfield General featuring Linda Lewis)     		61 ― ― ― ―
    2023 "Earthling"
    (The Paracosmos with Linda Lewis)     		— ― ― ― ―
    "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

    Notes

    1. ^ a b c d Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".

    References

    1. ^
      ISBN 1-904994-10-5
      .
    2. ^
      ISBN 9781899855094
      .
    3. ^ a b c d e f g "Linda Lewis, biography". Lindalewis.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    4. ^ a b c d "Linda Lewis, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    5. ^ a b c Williams, Alex (22 May 2023). "Linda Lewis, British Singer Whose Voice Knew Few Limits, Dies at 72". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
    6. ^ Cooney, Christy (4 May 2023). "Linda Lewis, whose singing career spanned more than four decades, dies aged 72". BBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    7. ^ "You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet". 45cat.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023. Price Guide: £450
    8. ^ a b "Linda Lewis, interview". Myspace.com. May 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    9. ^ Lewis, Linda (3 July 2007), "interview, Linda Lewis", Big Al Unleashed, interviewed by Alex Dyke, Isle of Wight Radio
    10. ^ Warburton, Nick (26 March 2017). "White Rabbit". Garage Hangover. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    11. ^ "CVINYL.COM – Label Variations: Raft Records". www.cvinyl.com.
    12. ^ Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis – Fathoms Deep". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    13. ^ Cash Box, 19 April 1975 – Page 20 for the record, BITS & PIECES:
    14. ^ Cash Box, 31 May 1975 – Page 24 cash box / singles reviews
    15. ^ "Lewis Discography – All Countries – 45cat". 45cat.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
    16. ^ "Linda Lewis – Class / Style (I've Got It)". 45cat.com. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
    17. ^ "Linda Lewis". Victoria and Albert Museum. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    18. ^ "Glastonbury turns back the clock". independent.ie. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    19. ^ "Common, the single (EP) Go". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    20. ^ "Common, Be". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    21. ^ National Portrait Gallery. "exhibition of Photographs 1965–2006". Npg.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    22. ^ National Portrait Gallery. "Portrait of Linda Lewis(1950–)". Npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    23. ^ "EARTHLING… – Soul and Jazz and Funk". www.soulandjazzandfunk.com.
    24. ^ Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis – A Tear and a Smile". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    25. ^ Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis – Lark". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
    26. ^ Weber, Melissa (1999). "Linda Lewis – Bold Soul Sisters". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
    27. ^ a b "Linda Lewis, singer and famed backing vocalist, dies aged 72". The Guardian. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    28. ^ "Linda Lewis". backstage.com. 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    29. ^ Bailes, Kathy (4 May 2023). "Singer-songwriter Linda Lewis dies". theisleofthanetnews.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    30. ^ "Linda Lewis, whose singing career spanned more than four decades, dies aged 72". BBC News. 4 May 2023.
    31. ^ Vassell, Nicole (4 May 2023). "Linda Lewis death: British musician and backing singer dies aged 72". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    32. ^ "Linda Lewis, singer with five-octave range who provided backing vocals for David Bowie, dies aged 72". sky.com/. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    33. ^ a b "LINDA LEWIS – full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
    34. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Say No More". lindalewis.co.uk.
    35. ^ "Lark : Expanded Edition". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    36. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Fathoms Deep". lindalewis.co.uk.
    37. ^ "Not A Little Girl Anymore- Expanded Edition". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    38. ^ "Woman Overboard – Linda Lewis" – via www.allmusic.com.
    39. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Hacienda View". lindalewis.co.uk.
    40. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | A Tear And A Smile". lindalewis.co.uk.
    41. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Second Nature". lindalewis.co.uk.
    42. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Whatever..." lindalewis.co.uk.
    43. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Kiss Of Life". lindalewis.co.uk.
    44. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Born Performer". lindalewis.co.uk.
    45. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Live In Old Smokey". lindalewis.co.uk.
    46. ^ "Linda Lewis | Music | Hampstead Days". lindalewis.co.uk.
    47. ^ "Have You Noticed?". Retrieved 4 May 2023 – via Amazon.
    48. ^ Heart Strings Review (31 December 1969). "Linda Lewis – Heart Strings Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    49. ^ "The Best Of by Linda Lewis on Apple Music". Music.apple.com. 18 November 1996. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    50. ^ John Martyn's (31 December 1969). "Linda Lewis – The Best of Linda Lewis [Camden] Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    51. ^ "Amazon.co.uk". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    52. ^ "Legends". Linda Lewis. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    53. ^ "Hampstead Days". Linda Lewis. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
    54. ^ a b "Linda Lewis Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
    55. YouTube
    56. YouTube
    57. YouTube
    58. YouTube
    59. ^ "UK Singles Charts". ukmix.org. 1984. Retrieved 4 May 2023.

    Additional sources

    External links
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Linda_Lewis&oldid=1220033377"