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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{citation style|date=March 2014}}
| name = Frances Nero
{{BLP sources|date=February 2010}}
| image =
{{Cleanup|date=March 2014|reason=Incoherent}}
| caption =
'''Frances Nero''' (born 1943) is an [[United States|American]] singer who, at the age of 22, became the first [[Live television|live performance]] contest winner in [[Motown Records]]'s history. Topping out 5,000 contestants, she emerged victor in June 1965. She was awarded $500, a dozen long stemmed red roses, a [[recording contract]] for one year and the honor of being the first female artist signed to Motown's [[Soul Records|Soul]] [[record label|label]]. The contest was sponsored by [[WCHB]], the [[soul music|soul]] [[radio station]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]; and Motown Records. She also took her place in history as WCHB's first live contest winner.
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Willie Frances Peak
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|3|13|df=y}}
|birth_place =[[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]], [[North Carolina]], [[United States]]
| death_date =
| instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]]
| genre = [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[dance music]]
| occupation = [[Singer]]
| years_active = 1960–1970, 1991-present
| label = [[Soul Records|Soul]], [[Motorcity Records|Motorcity]], AJA
| associated_acts = [[Gino Parks]]
| website = http://www.francesnero.com
| notable_instruments =
}}
'''Frances Nero''' (born '''Willie Frances Peak''', March 13, 1943)<ref name=discogs/><ref name=soulexpress/> is an [[United States|American]] [[soul music|soul]] and [[jazz]] singer, who recorded for [[Motown]] after winning their 1965 [[talent contest]] and had a UK [[hit single]] in 1991 with "Footsteps Following Me".
==Life and career==
⚫
Frances Peak was born in [[Asheville, North Carolina]], and attended Stephens-Lee High School. She performed on local radio, and sang lead vocals with two local groups, the Tams (not [[The Tams]]) featuring William "PO Bill" Mills, and the Untils, a group of classmates who included Stanley Baird, Bynum Griffin and Clifford Cotton, some of whom went on to play with such stars as [[Chuck Jackson]] and [[James Brown]].<ref name=soulexpress/><ref name=allmusic>[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p190471/biography|pure_url=yes}} Biography by Andrew Hamilton at AllMusic.com]</ref>


In 1960, she married [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]] native Johnny Nero and moved to the city. She almost joined [[The Marvelettes]], but returned to Asheville for a time before going back to Detroit and settling into married life. She had two children, and sang [[jazz]] in [[nightclub]]s, before entering a talent contest on [[WCHB]], the [[soul music|soul]] [[radio station]] in Detroit, sponsored by Motown. She became the first [[Live television|live performance]] winner in [[Motown Records]]'s history, emerging the winner out of 5,000 contestants in June 1965. She was awarded $500, a dozen long stemmed red roses, a [[recording contract]] for one year and the honor of being the first female artist signed to Motown's subsidiary [[Soul Records|Soul]] [[record label|label]].<ref name=dahl>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_3NBSvayMdgC&pg=PA284&dq=%22Frances+Nero%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wskeU6adDYqphAe974GQAw&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Frances%20Nero%22&f=false Bill Dahl, ''Motown: The Golden Years'', Krause Publications, 2001, pp.283-284]</ref><ref name=soulexpress>[http://www.soulexpress.net/deep110.htm#francesnero "Frances Nero", ''Deep'', no.1, 2010]. Retrieved 11 March 2014</ref> Her first record release was "Keep On Lovin' Me", written by [[William Weatherspoon]] and [[James Dean (songwriter)|James Dean]], and originally intended for The Marvelettes. It was [[record producer|produced]] by [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and released by Soul in early 1966.<ref name=discogs>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/88908-Frances-Nero Frances Nero at Discogs.com]. Retrieved 11 March 2014</ref> However, it was not a major hit. She made no further recordings with Motown, and left the company after three years.<ref name=soulexpress/>
Nero [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] "Keep On Loving Me" and "Fight Fire With Fire" [[songwriter|penned]] by [[William Weatherspoon]] and James Dean, and [[record producer|produced]] by [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]. The [[gramophone record|record]] sold 10,000 copies.


After leaving Motown, Nero made further recordings with [[Raynoma Gordy]] and [[Gino Parks]] at Shrine Records, which went unreleased. In the 1970s she cared for her mother until her death, and went to [[cosmetology]] school. She then began teaching the beauty trade, and worked on fashion shows, script writing and other businesses.<ref name=soulexpress/> In 1989, she was contacted by [[Ian Levine]], a British record producer and promoter of [[Northern soul]] music, and they recorded "Footsteps Following Me", written by Levine with [[Ivy Jo Hunter]] and Steven Wagner.<ref>[http://soul-vendor.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/frances-nero-footsteps-1991.html "Frances Nero - Footsteps 1991", ''The Soul Vendor'']. Retrieved 11 March 2014</ref> Her first recording for 23 years, the [[single (music)|single]] reached no.17 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1991,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 390}}</ref> and was dubbed by British [[disc jockey]]s "the soul anthem of the nineties".<ref name=allmusic/> She made further recordings with Gino Parks, and released an album, ''Out On The Floor'', on Levine's [[Motorcity Records|Motorcity]] label.<ref name=soulwalking>[http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Frances%20Nero.html Frances Nero at Soulwalking.co,uk]. Retrieved 11 March 2014</ref> She appeared on [[Canada]]'s [[television program]], ''Swinging Time'' with host [[Robin Seymour]], and on UK shows such as ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', ''[[Terry Wogan|The Terry Wogan Show]]'' and ''[[The Hitman and Her]]''.<ref name=allmusic/>
She appeared on [[Canada]]'s [[television program]], ''Swinging Time'' with host [[Robin Seymour]].


She formed her own record label, AJA Records, and released a single in 1996, "Love Ride". A CD compilation of her recordings with Levine, ''The Very Best of Frances Nero'', was issued in the US. In 2006, she issued a DVD autobiography, ''Mountains, Motown & Motion Pictures'', and in 2007 AJA released a CD, ''Frances Nero Salutes [[Dinah Washington]]''.<ref name=allmusic/><ref name=soulexpress/>
Nero was a [[one-hit wonder]] in the UK with her single "Footsteps Following Me" in 1991.

==Early life==
⚫
Nero attended Stephens-Lee High School where she performed with two [[band (music)|bands]] simultaneously. The Famous Tams featuring William "PO Bill" Mills and The Untils, a group of Stephens-Lee's band members. Stanley Baird, Bynum Griffin and Clifford Cotton went on to play with such stars as [[Chuck Jackson]] and [[James Brown]]. Nero was the featured [[singer|vocalist]] with both bands.

She married Johnny Nero, who was a native of Detroit. She went to Detroit after dancing to [[Marv Johnson]], who later became a close friend. She was homesick and went back to [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]], [[North Carolina]], but after a few months she returned to Detroit and settled into [[marriage|married]] life. She gave birth to her second child on January 21, 1965.

==A second chance==
Nero after being shelved by Motown, asked for a release from her contract. After the release and Frances taking control over her career, her mother was stricken with [[diabetes]] and her legs had to be amputated. Nero cared for her mother until she died in 1978. Frances went to cosmetology school and began teaching the beauty trade.

In 1989, she was contacted by the [[United Kingdom|UK]] producer, [[Ian Levine]] and they recorded "Footsteps Following Me". British Disc Jockeys dubbed it "the soul anthem of the nineties".<ref>"[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p190471/biography|pure_url=yes}} All Music Frances Nero]"</ref> The [[single (music)|single]] also reached #17 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 390}}</ref>

Nero has appeared on UK's top radio and television shows such as ''[[Top of the Pops]]'',
''[[Terry Wogan|The Terry Wogan Show]]'' and ''[[The Hitman and Her]]''.


== Discography==
== Discography==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* Frances Nero - Autobiography - ''Mountains, Motown & Motion Pictures''


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.francesnero.com Official website]
* [http://www.francesnero.com Official website]
* [http://www.soulexpress.net/deep110.htm#francesnero An interview with Frances Nero in 2010 in Soul Express]


{{Authority control|VIAF=79754700}}
{{Authority control|VIAF=79754700}}
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1943
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Asheville, North Carolina, US
| DATE OF DEATH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =

Revision as of 12:44, 11 March 2014

Frances Nero
Birth nameWillie Frances Peak
Born (1943-03-13) 13 March 1943 (age 81)
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
GenresR&B, dance music
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1960–1970, 1991-present
LabelsSoul, Motorcity, AJA
Websitehttp://www.francesnero.com

Frances Nero (born Willie Frances Peak, March 13, 1943)[1][2] is an American soul and jazz singer, who recorded for Motown after winning their 1965 talent contest and had a UK hit single in 1991 with "Footsteps Following Me".

Life and career

Frances Peak was born in Asheville, North Carolina, and attended Stephens-Lee High School. She performed on local radio, and sang lead vocals with two local groups, the Tams (not The Tams) featuring William "PO Bill" Mills, and the Untils, a group of classmates who included Stanley Baird, Bynum Griffin and Clifford Cotton, some of whom went on to play with such stars as Chuck Jackson and James Brown.[2][3]

In 1960, she married Detroit, Michigan native Johnny Nero and moved to the city. She almost joined The Marvelettes, but returned to Asheville for a time before going back to Detroit and settling into married life. She had two children, and sang jazz in nightclubs, before entering a talent contest on WCHB, the soul radio station in Detroit, sponsored by Motown. She became the first live performance winner in Motown Records's history, emerging the winner out of 5,000 contestants in June 1965. She was awarded $500, a dozen long stemmed red roses, a recording contract for one year and the honor of being the first female artist signed to Motown's subsidiary Soul label.[4][2] Her first record release was "Keep On Lovin' Me", written by William Weatherspoon and James Dean, and originally intended for The Marvelettes. It was produced by William "Mickey" Stevenson, and released by Soul in early 1966.[1] However, it was not a major hit. She made no further recordings with Motown, and left the company after three years.[2]

After leaving Motown, Nero made further recordings with Raynoma Gordy and Gino Parks at Shrine Records, which went unreleased. In the 1970s she cared for her mother until her death, and went to cosmetology school. She then began teaching the beauty trade, and worked on fashion shows, script writing and other businesses.[2] In 1989, she was contacted by Ian Levine, a British record producer and promoter of Northern soul music, and they recorded "Footsteps Following Me", written by Levine with Ivy Jo Hunter and Steven Wagner.[5] Her first recording for 23 years, the single reached no.17 in the UK Singles Chart in 1991,[6] and was dubbed by British disc jockeys "the soul anthem of the nineties".[3] She made further recordings with Gino Parks, and released an album, Out On The Floor, on Levine's Motorcity label.[7] She appeared on Canada's television program, Swinging Time with host Robin Seymour, and on UK shows such as Top of the Pops, The Terry Wogan Show and The Hitman and Her.[3]

She formed her own record label, AJA Records, and released a single in 1996, "Love Ride". A CD compilation of her recordings with Levine, The Very Best of Frances Nero, was issued in the US. In 2006, she issued a DVD autobiography, Mountains, Motown & Motion Pictures, and in 2007 AJA released a CD, Frances Nero Salutes Dinah Washington.[3][2]

Discography

1965 - Motown Records

  • "Keep On Loving Me"
  • "Fight Fire With Fire"

1968 - Shrine Records

1993 - MotorCity Records

  • "Footsteps Following Me"
  • Footsteps Following Me
  • The Best Of Frances Nero
  • MotorCity Various Artists Albums

1996 - Aja Records

  • "Love Ride"
  • "It Ain't The Same Without You"

2007/8

  • Frances Nero Salutes Dinah Washington

References

  1. ^ a b Frances Nero at Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 March 2014
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Frances Nero", Deep, no.1, 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2014
  3. ^ a b c d Biography by Andrew Hamilton at AllMusic.com
  4. ^ Bill Dahl, Motown: The Golden Years, Krause Publications, 2001, pp.283-284
  5. ^ "Frances Nero - Footsteps 1991", The Soul Vendor. Retrieved 11 March 2014
  6. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 390. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. ^ Frances Nero at Soulwalking.co,uk. Retrieved 11 March 2014

External links

Template:Persondata

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