- Lorraine Ellison
Lorraine Ellison (
17 March 1931 –31 January 1983 [ [http://users.efortress.com/doc-rock/1980.html The Dead Rock Stars Club - The 1980's ] ] ) was anAfrican American female soulsinger , best known for her recording of thesong "Stay With Me Baby" in 1966.Born Marybelle Luraine Ellison [http://users.efortress.com/doc-rock/1980.html] , in
Philadelphia ,Pennsylvania , Ellison originally sang with two gospel groups, the Ellison Singers and the Golden Chords, before moving to R&B in 1964. Her first chart entry was with a cover of Jerry Butler's "I Dig You Baby" in 1965. Ellison also recorded "Just a Little Bit Harder", asong later covered to more success byJanis Joplin .She signed with the Loma
record label and recorded the soul classic "Stay With Me Baby" at a last minute booking, following a studio cancellation byFrank Sinatra . [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=7536]"Stay With Me Baby" reached number 11 in the U.S. R&B chart and number 64 in the pop chart. The song was written and produced by
Jerry Ragovoy . Her follow-up single was "Heart Be Still" a minor hit in 1967 [http://wm02.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fifixqe5ldhe~T5] .Twice-married, Ellison died in January 1983, from
ovarian cancer , at the age of 51. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6149527&ft=1&f=1039]Cover versions
The song "Stay With Me Baby" (sometimes entitled more simply as "Stay With Me") has been covered by numerous
musicians , includingThe Walker Brothers ,David Essex ,Cher ,Genya Ravan ,Ruby Turner ,Natalie Cole ,Bette Midler , andRebecca Wheatley .Discography
*"Heart and Soul" - 1966 - Warner
*"Stay With Me" - 1969
*"Lorraine Ellison" - 1974
*"The Best of Philadelphia's Queen" - 1976 -Compilation album References
External links
* [http://wm02.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fifixqe5ldhe~T1 Lorraine Ellison biography] at
Allmusic website
* [http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Lorraine%20Ellison.html Soulwalking.co.uk biography]
* [http://www.lomarecords.com/index.htm Discography of Loma Records]
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