Lynda Laurence
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Lynda Laurence | |
---|---|
Vocals | |
Years active | 1969–present |
Labels | Motown, Motorcity |
Lynda Laurence (also spelled Lawrence, born Lynda Tucker; February 20, 1949) is an American singer. The youngest daughter of Louise and Ira Tucker, a gospel songwriter, producer, and singer, Laurence's siblings are Sundray Tucker and Ira Tucker Jr.
Laurence is best known for being a part of two
Biography
Early years
Laurence began her career singing with a group named the Pendelles. Her sister, Sundray Tucker, was also in this group. She eventually made her way to Stevie Wonder's group Third Generation a predecessor to Wonderlove in 1969.[2]
At this time, her sister was going by the name Cindy Scott, and rejoined Laurence in the group.[2] Laurence, Scott and a third member, cousin Terri Hendricks, were billed as "the Third Generation" toured with Wonder to promote his single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", which prominently featured Laurence on back-up vocals.[2]
The Supremes (1972–1973)
In 1972, Mary Wilson, who chose to continue the legacy of the Supremes after the departure of Florence Ballard in 1967 and lead singer Diana Ross in 1970, was about to lose another member of the group, Cindy Birdsong, who was expecting a child.[2]
Birdsong originally replaced Tucker in the group the Ordettes, later to be named
While with the Supremes at Motown, Laurence was not ever given the opportunity to record a lead vocal, however she did sing lead in concert on two occasions, the first being her debut with the Supremes in May 1972 at Hawaii's H.I.C Arena, when she replaced a ill Jean Terrell to perform alongside Wilson and Birdsong, and later at the Copacabana in New York. She also contributed the occasional lead in concert, singing a lead verse to the group's 1972 live version of "Love The One Your With".[citation needed]
In 1973, Despite the success towards the end of the year, Terrell and Laurence decided that it would be best for the Supremes to leave Motown and seek another record label, however, Motown owned the name "Supremes".[4] By October, when Laurence was expecting a child herself, she was again replaced by a returning Birdsong. In addition, Terrell quit that year and was replaced by Scherrie Payne.[4][5]
Later career
In 1975, Laurence, along with Tucker and soon-to-be-member
In 2000, Laurence joined Diana Ross and Scherrie Payne for the Return to Love Tour billed as Diana Ross & the Supremes, despite the three principals never having been members of the numerous Supremes line-ups together at any previous time. The tour was cancelled after less than half of the scheduled dates.[6][7]
Background work
Laurence has provided studio backing vocals for:
- Signed, Sealed, and Deliveredalbum in 1970
- Stevie Wonder for his Songs in the Key of Life album in 1976
- Love All The Hurt Awayalbum in 1981
- Moacir Santos
- I Had To Fall in Lovealbum in 1978
- Joe Cocker
- Brian Setzer
- Harry Nilsson
- Brandy Norwood
- Ringo Starr
- Martha Reeves
Solo career
As a solo artist, Laurence recorded the songs "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart", "Life Is The Reason" and "Make Your Own Kind Of Music", among others, which were released under the name of Norma Lewis in the late 1980s. (Laurence was one of several session singers to provide vocals for the “Norma Lewis” project.) In 1990 and 1991 Laurence also recorded several solo tracks for the UK based Motorcity Records label, including the single "Living With A Married Man". The label folded before Laurence released a full album, however these songs have previously been released on subsequent Motorcity releases. Lynda Laurence was notably the first singer to record the song "I Still Believe", later made famous by Brenda K Starr and Mariah Carey.
Former Ladies of the Supremes
Laurence (once again replacing Cindy Birdsong) joined Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne to form the Former Ladies of the Supremes in 1986.[8] They have recorded multiple songs, including remakes of Supremes tunes plus a catalog of many non-Motown and original songs, including the 2006 dance single "Sisters United (We’re Taking Control)".[9] They have maintained a solid fan base and in 2011 celebrated their 25th anniversary together.[citation needed] In 2017, Laurence left the group and was replaced by Susaye Greene.[10]
Personal life
Lynda was married to saxophonist, Trevor Lawrence. Together they have a son, Trevor Ira Lawrence, Jr, born in 1973, who is a session musician and producer under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.[11]
Discography
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As Norma Lewis
- "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart"
- "Life Is The Reason"
- "When Loving You"
- "You’ve Got Something"
- "Make Your Own Kind Of Music"
Motorcity Records
- "Forever"
- "Forever Came Today"
- "I'm Not Taking A Chance"
- "Right Around Midnight"
- "If This World We're Mine"
- "Outside Looking In"
- "The Man In My Life"
- "Living With A Married Man"
- "Fresh Out Of Tears"
- "It's A Crying Shame"
with Harry Nilsson
- "Just One Look"/"Baby I'm Yours"
Unreleased
- "Don't Cross The Street"
- "Feed The Hunger"
- "It Finally Happened To Be"
- "Someone Wonderful"
Live At The Courthouse Although never officially released, Laurence recorded a solo set of jazz material at Los Angeles's Courthouse venue, with resident band, Night Court.
- "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever"
- "I Wish You Love"
- "Green Dolphin Street"
- "Ill Wind"
- "Give Me The Simple Life"
- "Love Dance"
- "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"
- "Fever"
- "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved by You"
References
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London, UK: ReedInternational Books Ltd. p. 238. CN 5585.
- ^ a b c d https://www.google.com/books/edition/Motown_Encyclopedia/RG_LAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=stevie+wonder+third+generation&pg=PT608&printsec=frontcover
- ^ Pareles, Jon (April 5, 2000). "Stop! In the Name of Nostalgia". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
- ^ a b Sepia. Sepia Publishing Corporation. 1981 – via Google Books.
- ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (November 1, 1973). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
- ^ "Billboard". July 8, 2000.
- ^ "Billboard". July 22, 2000.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-7581-0. Retrieved January 3, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ "FLOS News". scherriepayneandlyndalaurence.com:80/news.html. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- user-generated source]
- ^ "Artist Trevor Lawrence Jr". warmaudio.com. Warm Audio LLC. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
External links
- Lynda Laurence discography at Discogs