Lynda Laurence

Lynda Laurence (also spelled Lawrence, born Lynda Tucker on February 20, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American singer. She is the youngest daughter of the late Dixie Hummingbirds member Ira Tucker and Louise Tucker, sister of Sundray Tucker and Ira Tucker, Jr. She is best known for being a part of two Motown acts: Stevie Wonder's backup group Wonderlove and one of the post-Diana Ross versions of The Supremes. She is the daughter of Louise Tucker and the late Ira Tucker, gospel songwriter, producer, and lead singer of The Dixie Hummingbirds. She was a member of The Supremes from April 1972 through August 1973, replacing Cindy Birdsong, who took a leave of absence to have a baby (Birdsong, however, remained "On Call" during her entire maternity leave, stepping in for any member who became ill, and she did so on more than one occasion, most notably at New York's Copacabana in August of 1972). Her membership was effectively a temporary one, since Birdsong returned to the group in August 1973, replacing Laurence.

Biography

Early years

Lynda 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 Wonderlove in 1969. At this time, her sister was going by the name Cindy Scott, and rejoined Lynda in the group Wonderlove. Lynda, Sundray and third member, cousin Terri Hendricks toured with Stevie to promote his single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", which prominently features Lynda on vocals.

The Supremes

:"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. Cindy originally replaced Sundray Tucker in the group The Ordettes, later to be named Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, so it was ironic that Sundray's sister, Lynda, would be taking Cindy's place as a background singer. At this time, Jean Terrell was the lead singer of The Supremes. Lynda joined the group around the time the group issued their "Floy Joy" album and was featured on the cover though Birdsong sung on the album before her departure. Among the songs she recorded with the group include the Stevie Wonder produced single, "Bad Weather", and "The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb" album.

Whilst with The Supremes at Motown, Lynda was never given the opportunity to record a lead vocal, although Lynda did have the opportunity to sing lead in concert on a couple of occasions, including her debut with the group in March 1973 at Hawaii's prestigious H.I.C Arena. Lynda has the distinction of being the only Supreme to have never recorded a single line of lead with the group. In October of 1973, she was replaced by a returning Cindy Birdsong when she was expecting a baby herself. In addition, Terrell was replaced by Scherrie Payne that year when she quit due to the lack of promotion and publicity that the Supremes had.

Later career

In 1975, Lynda, along with sister Sundray Tucker and soon-to-be-Supreme Susaye Greene, together with numerous personnel added background vocals to Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" album which was released in 1976. In 1976, Laurence teamed-up once again with her sister Sundray Tucker, this time under the name The Wilton Place Street Band, and under the leadership of Lynda's then-husband producer and musician Trevor Lawrence to record the disco single "Disco Lucy", which was a re-working of the theme-tune to the "I Love Lucy" show.

Background work

Lynda has often been in demand as a background vocalist over the years. Many legends and giants of the music industry have utilised Lynda in both studio recordings and in concert.Lynda has provided studio backing vocals for:
* Stevie Wonder for his "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" album in 1970
* Stevie Wonder for his "Songs in the Key of Life" album in 1976
* Aretha Franklin for her "Love All The Hurt Away" album in 1981
* Moacir Santos
* Jean Terrell for her "I Had To Fall in Love" album in 1978
* Joe Cocker

Solo career

As a solo artist, Lynda recorded the songs "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart", "Love Is The Reason" and "Make You're Own Kind Of Music" among others under the name of Norma Lewis in the 1980s. In 1990 and 1991 Lynda recorded several solo tracks for the UK-based Motorcity Records label issuing the single, "Living With A Married Man", a firm favourite amongst her legions of fans. The label unfortunately folded before Laurence released an album however. In 1986, she joined fellow former Supremes Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne to form the Former Ladies of the Supremes. The current lineup of the group include her, Payne and Freddi Poole as they recently celebrated their 20th anniversary together. In 2000, she and Payne joined Diana Ross in her "Return to Love" tour.

Discography

Over the years Lynda has recorded many tracks, of which only a few have been released as solo projects.

As Norma Lewis
* "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart"
* "Love Is The Reason"
* "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 Nillson
* "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 CourthouseAlthough never officially released, Lynda recored a solo set of jazz material at LA'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"