Brenda Holloway

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Brenda Holloway (2009)

Brenda Jereal Holloway (born June 21, 1946 in Atascadero , California ) is an American soul singer.

biography

In her childhood in Los Angeles, Brenda Holloway sang in the church choir and learned to play the violin. She made her first recordings with her younger sister Patrice at the age of 14 . She then sang with the predecessor band of Whispers and worked as a studio singer.

She was discovered by Berry Gordy in 1964 and came to Tamla Motown . There she had a great success with her first single Every Little Bit Hurts , which reached number 13 in the US pop charts.

Other hits followed in the coming years, such as the top 40 singles When I'm Gone and You've Made Me So Very Happy . Nevertheless, she did not get along with the record company and the planned second album after her debut in 1964 was rejected by Tamla, so that it took until 1968 for The Artistry of Brenda Holloway to appear as a successor. In the meantime, however, she was so disappointed with the music business in general and her label in particular that she retired into family life that same year.

She only returned in 1980 with a gospel album and later recorded more songs in England. Brenda Holloway sang with Brenton Wood , Jimmy Ruffin and as a background singer on Barry White 's last album. She also recorded other albums, such as the 2003 20th Century Masters , a collection of 30 Northern Soul classics .

Cover versions

Brenda Holloway's first hit, Every Little Bit Hurts , was recorded by the Spencer Davis Group and Small Faces , among others . Her best-known song is You've Made Me So Very Happy , which she wrote herself with her sister Patrice. Two years after their own recording, the cover version of Blood, Sweat & Tears became a number 2 hit in the United States and one of the band's greatest hits.

Discography

Albums

  • Every Little Bit Hurts (1964)
  • The Artistry of Brenda Holloway (1968)
  • Brand New (1980)
  • All It Takes (1990)
  • It's A Woman's World (1999)
  • ... Together (1999)
  • 20th Century Masters (2003)
  • My Love Is Your Love (2004)

Singles

  • Hey Fool (1962)
  • Game of Love (1962)
  • I'll Give My Life (1962)
  • Every Little Bit Hurts (1964) US: # 13
  • I'll Always Love You (1964) US: # 60
  • When I'm Gone (1965) R&B: # 12 US: # 25
  • Operator (1965) R&B: # 36 US: # 78
  • You Can Cry on My Shoulder (1965)
  • Together 'Til the End of Time (1965)
  • Hurt a Little Everyday (1966)
  • 'Til Johnny Comes (1966)
  • Just Look What You've Done (1967) R&B: # 21 US: # 69
  • You've Made Me So Very Happy (1967) R&B: # 40 US: # 39

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Holloway, Brenda
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Holloway, Brenda Jereal (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American soul singer
DATE OF BIRTH June 21, 1946
PLACE OF BIRTH Atascadero , California , USA