Gloria Lynne

Gloria Lynne (born Gloria Alleyne 23 November 1931 in New York City) is an American vocalist on several rhythm and blues hits in the 1950s and 1960s.

Lynne grew up in Harlem and won first prize at the "Amateur Night" at the Apollo Theater. She recorded as part of groups The Enchanters and The Del-Tones in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest Records and Fontana Records labels. Her recordings are all 'top notch' and today in her seventies her voice is still pure and strong. During her recording heyday Lynne's career suffered by way of some bad management, some unscrupulous recording 'executives' who profited while she was left virtually penniless, saved only by the fact that she was able to work steadily and earn her money from performance, still today she receives only a trickle of royalties.

In the 1960s she had several hits including "June Night", "Love I Found You," and "I Wish You Love" (1964) (which became her signature song), "I'm Glad There Is You" and the answer to Gene McDaniels "Tower Of Strength" with Lynne's "(You don't have to be a) Tower Of Strength", a pop thorn amongst the jazz roses but nonetheless a hit for Ms Lynne and proving how versatile she could be in the studio. After her time with Everest Records she moved to Fontana and recorded some very fine albums including "Soul Serenade", "Love And A Woman","Where It's At" and the gorgeous "Here, There And Everywhere" all of which showcased her versatility in jazz, RnB, soul and melodic 'pop'. During her earlier years on-the-road Gloria Lynne shared bills with some of the giants of RnB, Jazz, Pop and Standards including Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald. Notable TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte and duets with Billy Eckstine.

As Lynne moved into jazz in her later career she worked with top flight musicians and arrangers and performed with many of the jazz greats, including Quincy Jones, Bobby Timmons, Philly Joe Jones, Harry "Sweets" Edison.

She was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1997.She famously wrote lyrics for “Watermelon Man” with Herbie Hancock and “All Day Long” with Kenny Burrell. She has received numerous awards including: The Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award, The National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame, Gloria Lynne Day in New York City, The National Heritage Award and the Prestigious Eagle Award given by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields.

In June 2007 High Note Records released Gloria's latest CD "From My Heart To Yours", a musical journey from James Taylor (The Secret O' Life), Michel Legrand (How Do You Keep The Music Playing) and some fine styling on classics like "It's Magic".Ms Lynne continues to record and write near her home in New York.

It is hoped that during 2008/9 Gloria Lynne will be making concert appearances in Japan and Europe as well as her concerts in the USA.

In February 2008 British writer/performer Graham Hunter published the first of a six part feature and rare interview with Gloria Lynne in the [UK Beat Magazine] renewing interest in the legendary jazz, r'n'b, soul singer/songwriter.

On May 6th 2008 Ms Gloria Lynne was presented with a special award for 'Outstanding Achievement In Jazz'at the New York MAC Awards.

Discography

The Enchanters (members Della Simpson, Pearl Brice, Frances Kelly and Gloria Alleyne)

The Enchanters (members Della Simpson, Sherry Gary, Frances Kelly and Gloria Alleyne)

The Dell-Tones (members Della Simpson, Sherry Gary, Frances Kelly and Gloria Alleyne)

Brunswick 85015 - My Heart's On Fire / Yours Alone – 1953

Rainbow 244 - I'm Not In Love With You / Little Short Daddy – 1954

Gloria Alleyne (Gloria Lynne)

Josie 767 - When I Say My Prayer / The Uncloudy Day - 1954

The Dell-Tones (members Della Simpson, Shirley "Bunny" Foy, Algie Willie and Renee Stewart a former member of The Solirettes)

Brunswick 85015 - My Heart's On Fire / Yours Alone – 1953

Rainbow 244 - I'm Not In Love With You / Little Short Daddy – 1954

Gloria Alleyne (Gloria Lynne)

Josie 767 - When I Say My Prayers / Uncloudy Day – 1954

Gloria Lynne (born Gloria Alleyne on 23-November-1931 in New York City)

Ember 1002 - Cool Daddy / Affection – 1956

Seeco 6037 - Little Boy Blues / Way Beyond The Hills – 1959

Everest 19303 - June Night / Perdido – 1959

Everest 19308 - But Not For Me / Just In Time - 1959

Everest 19326 - Be My Love / My Prayer For You – 1960

Everest 19337 - Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe / My Reverie – 1960

Everest 19343 - June Night / Perdido – 1960

Everest 19346 - Am I Blue / Little Girl Blue – 1960

Everest 19347 - They Didn't Believe Me / Without A Song – 1960

Everest 19367 - Gypsy Boy / Recommended To Love – 1960

Everest 19373 - Condemned Without Trial / Dreamy – 1960

Everest 19390 - The Jazz In You / Love, I've Found You – 1960

Everest 19409 - He Needs Me / The Lamp Is Low – 1961

Everest 19418 - Impossible / This Little Boy Of Mine – 1961

Everest 19428 - You Don't Have To Be A Tower Of Strength / I Will Follow Him - 1961 *an "answer" record to the 1961 release "Tower Of Strength" by Gene McDaniels on Liberty 55371.

Seeco 6077 - Is There Someone For Me / I'm Not Afraid Anymore – 1961

Everest 19431 - And This Is My Beloved / I'm Glad There Is You - 1962

Everest 20008 - I Know Love / It Just Happened To Me – 1962

Everest 2023 - I'll Buy You A Star / Record Company Blues – 1963

Everest 2030 - Humming Blues / Stormy Monday Blues – 1963

Everest 2036 - I Wish You Love* / Through A Long And Sleepless Night - 1964 *also recorded in 1955 by Keely Smith on Capitol 3445

Everest 2042 - I Should Care / Indian Love Call – 1964

Fontana 1890 - Be Anything (But Be Mine)* / Soul Serenade - 1964 (Some Copies Issued with picture sleeve) *also recorded in 1964 by Connie Francis on MGM 13237.

Everest 2044 - Don't Take Your Love From Me / You Don't Know What Love Is – 1964

Everest 2047 - Serenade In Blue / Without A Song – 1964

Everest 2051 - On Christmas Day / Wouldn't It Be Loverly – 1964

Everest 2055 - Fly Me To The Moon / The Night Has A Thousand Eyes – 1965

Everest 2058 - Out Of This World / Squeeze Me – 1965

Everest 2059 - Lonely Street / Try A Little Tenderness – 1965

Everest 2061 - Folks Who Live On The Hill / That's A Joy – 1965

Everest 2062 - My Devotion / I'm Glad There Is You – 1965

Fontana 1507 - The Touch Of Your Lips / Intimate Moments – 1965

Fontana 1511 - Watermelon Man / All Alone – 1965

Fontana 1523 - Whisperers / I Understand – 1965

Hi Fi 5103 - I Wish You Love / A Long Long Story – 1966

Fontana 1538 - Sometimes It Be's That Way / Speaking Of Happiness – 1966

Fontana 1554 - Strangers In The Night / Candy Man – 1966

Fontana 1560 - Money Machine / I Got What You Want – 1966

Fontana 1567 - Love Is / It's Not The Truth – 1967

Fontana 1594 - Foolish Dreamer / I Can't Stand It – 1967

Fontana Fd-1 - Watermelon Man / All Alone – 1968

Fontana 1617 - Down Here On The Ground / I've Never Been Loved Before - 1968

Fontana 1627 - The Guy Who Lived Up There / Hold Back The Dawn – 1968

Fontana 1639 - I've Got To Be Someone / Problem Child – 1969

Fontana 1660 - Darlin' / No Easy Way Down – 1969

Fontana 1674 - Hold It / Untouched By Human Love – 1969

Fontana 1966 - Be Anything (But Be Mine) / Soul Serenade - ?

Canyon 36 - If You Don't Get It Yourself / Love's Finally Found Me – 1970

Roker 504 - Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong / Take You All The Way - 1970

Mercury 73267 - Never My Love / Summer Knows – 1972

Mercury 73294 - Just Let Me Be Me / Kickin' Life – 1972

Impulse 31003 - Out Of This World / Thank You, Early Bird – 1976

External links

* [http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/glynne.htm Gloria Lynne] via soulfulkindamusic.com
* [http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist.aspx?ob=per&src=prd&aid=2978 Gloria Lynne] via Verve Records
*http://www.afrocentricnews.com/html/gloria_lynne.html
* [http://www.discogs.com/release/1177779 Gloria Lynne, Soul Serenade album info at Discogs]
* [http://www.thebeatmagazine.com]
* [http://www.grahamhunter.com]
* [http://www.geocities.com/glorialynne]