Lynda Laurence

Lynda Laurence
Born (1949-02-20) February 20, 1949
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres R&B, pop Jazz
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1969–present
Labels Motown, Motorcity
Associated acts Stevie Wonder, The Supremes Joe Cocker

Lynda Laurence (also spelled Lawrence, born Lynda Tucker, February 20, 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American singer. She is best known for being a part of two Motown acts: Stevie Wonder's backup group The Third Generation, and one of the post-Diana Ross 1970's line-ups of The Supremes. She is the youngest daughter of Louise Tucker and Ira Tucker, gospel songwriter, producer, and lead singer of The Dixie Hummingbirds, and sister of Sundray Tucker and Ira Tucker Jr. She was a member of The Supremes from April 1972 through October 1973, replacing Cindy Birdsong, who left the trio to have a baby and begin raising her family.[1]

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. At this time, her sister was going by the name Cindy Scott, and rejoined Laurence in the group. Laurence, Scott and third member, cousin Terri Hendricks, billed as "The Third Generation" toured with Wonder to promote his single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", which featured Laurence on back-up vocals.

The Supremes (1972-1973)

Main entry: The Supremes

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 baby. Birdsong originally replaced Tucker in the group The Ordettes, later to be named Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, so it was ironic that Tucker's sister, Laurence took Birdsong's place as a backing vocalist.[2] At this time, Jean Terrell was the lead singer of The Supremes. Laurence joined the group around the time the group issued their Floy Joy album, and appeared on the cover with Terrell and Wilson, though Birdsong had sung on the album before her departure. Among the songs she recorded with the group included the Wonder produced single, "Bad Weather", and The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb album plus The Supremes Live! In Japan album recorded in 1973.

While with The Supremes at Motown, Laurence was never 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 sick 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".

In October 1973, when Laurence was expecting a baby herself, she was again replaced by a returning Birdsong. In addition, Terrell quit that year and was replaced by Scherrie Payne.

Later career

In 1975, Laurence, along with Tucker and soon-to-be-Supreme Susaye Greene, together with others added backing vocals to Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life, which was released in 1976. The same year, Laurence teamed up again with Tucker, this time under the name The Wilton Place Street Band. Under the leadership of Laurence's then-husband, the record producer and musician Trevor Lawrence, they recorded "Disco Lucy", which was a re-working of the theme tune to the I Love Lucy show.

Background work

Laurence has provided studio backing vocals for:

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, under the name of Norma Lewis in the 1980s. In 1990 and 1991 she also recorded several solo tracks for the UK based Motorcity Records label issuing the single, "Living With A Married Man". The label folded before Laurence released an album. Lynda Laurence was the first to record the song "I Still Believe" prior to Brenda K Star.

Former Ladies of the Supremes/FLOS

Laurence (once again replacing Cindy Birdsong) joined Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne to form The Former Ladies of the Supremes in 1986. The FLOS have recorded many songs, mostly remakes of Supremes tunes but have built up a catalog that includes many non-Motown and some original songs. The FLOS have maintained a solid fan base and in 2011 celebrated their 25th anniversary together. Group Changes: Jean left in 1992 and was replaced by Lynda's sister, Sundray Tucker. (Sundray herself was once eyed as a potential Supreme, in 1972, but the position was offered to Lynda instead.) Sundray left in 1996 and was replaced by Freddi Poole. Freddi left in 2009, with Joyce Vincent Wilson (formerly of Tony Orlando & Dawn) stepping in as the newest member. Many sources note Joyce was originally selected to take Mary Wilson's place in the Supremes in 1977, before the group disbanded. The group, still popular and touring, now goes by "Scherrie Payne & Lynda Laurence, Formerly of the Supremes" but is still often referred to by fans and the press as the FLOS.

Discography

Over the years Laurence recorded many tracks, only a few of which have been released as solo projects. Her first Video was filmed in Los Angeles California at the well known "At My Place" venue.

As Norma Lewis

Motorcity Records

with Harry Nillson

Unreleased

Live At The Courthouse Although never officially released, Laurence recorded a solo set of jazz material at Lps Angeles's Courthouse venue, with resident band, Night Court.

References

  1. ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 238. CN 5585.
  2. ↑ Pareles, Jon (5 April 2000). "Stop! In the Name of Nostalgia". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
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