Forgotten One-Shot Divas

[Cdnbob]

Someone earlier had mentioned Joyce Kennedy. She did a duet with Jeffrey Osbourne in 1984 called "The Last Time I Made Love" which was a big hit on the r&b charts. I've got the album with this on called "Lookin For Trouble". I've never heard or seen anything by her since.

Also earlier mentioned was Ullanda McCullough. I know she did a lot of backup vocals in the 80's and recorded her own solo album in 1981 titled Ullanda McCullough with the hits Warm & Gentle Explosion, Rock Me & Bad Company. I've never heard anything by her since. I seem to recall one of these tracks being played in the clubs I use to frequent.

Vivian Vee released several 12 inch singles - sorry song titles escape me at the moment after "Give Me A Break".

[pepper1dancer]

Remember the group Cheri ? They had a hit "Murphy's Law " . Fronted by Lynn Cullierier and Rosalind Hunt (daughter of Geraldine Hunt and if I remember sister Of Freddie James)

[Rugger57]

So, what was it with Geraldine Hunt? I guess she figgered that if SHE had a recording contract that the whole FAMILY had to have recording contracts as well!

[kdavid13]

Originally Posted by Rugger57

So, what was it with Geraldine Hunt? I guess she figgered that if SHE had a recording contract that the whole FAMILY had to have recording contracts as well!

I once ran into the whole clan on a street in Montreal. Geraldine,Rozlyn,Freddie,the grandmother and a bunch of others and they walked by a huge record store. Freddie stood there in the middle of the sidewalk checking out the window and didn't see his 2nd album anywhere.He went inside,the whole clan waited outside and as he got out of the store ; a clerk was removing a rock album and inserting Freddie's Lp instead.

I never forgot this scene...we're talking a mob of at least 15 people.

[FranceJoliFan]

Originally Posted by normvork

Karen Silver did a number of hits which were played at clubs I frequented, but maybe they were not hits everywhere:
Hold On, I'm Coming (1979)
Love Me Tonight (Turn Off The Lights) 1981
Nobody Else 1981
Clean Up Woman 1982
I Don't Wanna Fall in Love Again 1984
I have heard she is now a hairdresser in Canada and does not want to associate with her disco diva past.

I'm not sure if anyone else has posted this, but Karen Silver has a website for her business as a makeup artist. And one section features a video of her doing makeovers:

Karen Silver - Makeup artist in Toronto

She still looks good. And seems to have a talent for makeup. And subtly alludes to her past in the About section:

As a successful entertainer who had done numerous photo shoots, television shows, video work with some of the most accomplished makeup artists and photographers in the business...

But no mention of Gino Soccio, or her club classics.

[PierreConstantin]

Being a one-shot singer is a very common curse, especially during the disco era. But, what is a "one-shot singer"? That doesn't really exist, except in some cases interrupted by death. Even a singer like Sharon Brown (one big hit, no album) released two 12"s after "I specialise in love", "Love don't hurt people" and "You've got me where I want to be". So she's not a "one-shot singer" stricto sensu. But actually who knows those two 12"s? Very few people; so where's the borderline? And I can go further: many singers we consider big are remembered for just one song in general knowledge: in a "growing" order, Jean Carn with "Was that all it was", Candi Staton with "Young hearts run free", Amii Stewart with "Knock on wood", Thelma Houston with "Don't leave me this way" and if I stretch a little more, I might even add Diana Ross with "Upside down" ... We all know here that their discography is sometimes impressive but at the end of the day, there is only one song that remains in people's mind. What are the 15 Thelma Houston albums compared to her massive hit "Don't leave me this way" played over and over on radios and parties?

P.S.: A truly "one-shot singer" here: Helen Davis covering "Satisfaction". I have this 12" and it's one of my favourite disco songs but I can't get any information about the singer. Anybody can help me?

Helen Davis (2) - Satisfaction / Yesterday A King (12") at Discogs

Sound clip here: http://dirtypoodle.com/mp3s/boomno12/b2Satisfaction.mp3

[PierreConstantin]

Another truly "one-shot singer" is Linda Law who covered "Nights in white satin" in 1978. Like Helen Davis' "Satisfaction" it's a spectacular cover and both songs are available in their 7" version on the Carrère vinyl 1980 compilation 13 + 3 / 16 Chansons 16 Succès - Spécial Disco Hits Vol. 1 (oddly enough, because they weren't really hits, not even in France; and I suspect both were French projects).

Various - 13 + 3 / 16 Chansons 16 Succès - Spécial Disco Hits Vol. 1 (LP, Comp) at Discogs

I don't know anything about Linda Law so any info about her is welcome .

[FranceJoliFan]

Originally Posted by PierreConstantin

But, what is a "one-shot singer"? That doesn't really exist, except in some cases interrupted by death. Even a singer like Sharon Brown (one big hit, no album) released two 12"s after "I specialise in love", "Love don't hurt people" and "You've got me where I want to be". So she's not a "one-shot singer" stricto sensu. But actually who knows those two 12"s? Very few people; so where's the borderline?

Interesting point.

Especially sad when a "one-hit" artist releases more potential hits, and they get lost in the shuffle. Often the follow-up songs are just as good as the hits.

[PierreConstantin]

Laura Lee is not exactly a one-shot singer (she has a quite substantial career before disco) but she released only one 12" during the disco era: "Sat-is-fac-tion".
On the Youtube clip it begins at 7:02 and lasts until ending abruptly at 10:00.


More info:
Ms Laura Lee
Disco Delivery: July 2007