Is Norma Lewis A Fake?

[Eclipse]

I just ran across some info that Norma Lewis was made up and was voiced by at least two different singers. I must say I have never heard this info before. Is this general knowledge or just plain wrong??

[DJ Bozo]

I never heard that before either

[Eurodancemix]

Gotta say it's wrong. Her voice remains the same through all the tracks, unlike, say, Corona who was actually voiced by up to five (five!, I tell ya) different singers.

[Energyguy]

I had also heard this rumour but doubt it is actually true - she does sound the same on all her recordings and it is always the same woman on the front sleeves..I have also noted her name credited on many HINRG albums as a backing singer

[NickNack]

There's a "Norma Lewis" doing vocals with Shakatak on their Out of This World CD. To me the picture looks similar but it's really hard to tell. In any case, I'd like to think she's the real deal.

[Energyguy]

Originally Posted by NickNack

There's a "Norma Lewis" doing vocals with Shakatak on their Out of This World CD. To me the picture looks similar but it's really hard to tell. In any case, I'd like to think she's the real deal.

I have seen that shakatak LP with Norman Lewis on backing vocals...I firmly believe she exists and I am not sure who started that daft rumour....

[neonlights]

I just read on another forum that Lynda Lawrence (former member of the Supremes as vocalist on that "Disco Lucy" single) recorded some tracks that were credited to Norma Lewis.. apparently there was a disagreement between the producer and the real Norma (i assume) so apparently they released Lynda's recordings under Norma's name.. Talk about some shady music industry stuff.. :-?

[Energyguy]

Originally Posted by neonlights

I just read on another forum that Lynda Lawrence (former member of the Supremes as vocalist on that "Disco Lucy" single) recorded some tracks that were credited to Norma Lewis.. apparently there was a disagreement between the producer and the real Norma (i assume) so apparently they released Lynda's recordings under Norma's name.. Talk about some shady music industry stuff.. :-?

That kinda thing must happen all the time....Normally down to "contractual problems/disagreements.

[rich@unitedstatesofmedia.]

Norma Lewis is definatly a fake!, ive seen her many times, including once in Birmingham UK recently. and its a different woman each time!!!.
and there is supposedly a woman currently touring america called norma lewis. but its different to the woman i saw!!

[Cdnbob]

Didn't she work with British producer Ian Levine?

Check out this link YouTube - Norma Lewis - Surprise Me Tonight there are a bunch of videos with her in them and from the looks of it, there all the same woman.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Originally Posted by neonlights

I just read on another forum that Lynda Lawrence (former member of the Supremes as vocalist on that "Disco Lucy" single) recorded some tracks that were credited to Norma Lewis.. apparently there was a disagreement between the producer and the real Norma (i assume) so apparently they released Lynda's recordings under Norma's name.. Talk about some shady music industry stuff.. :-?

I didn't know that Lynda did the "Disco Lucy" vocals. The version by The Wilton Place Street Band?

As for releasing under a different name... I know that, sort of, happened with Viola Wills and Phyllis Nelson (Actually, the producer spliced-in Viola's vocal, where Phyllis couldn't hit the notes.)

The Norma Lewis who recorded "Maybe This Time", was the same one who recorded "Life Is The Reason" and "Fight (For The Single Family)". And she looks just like the Norma Lewis on the cover of "Suprise Me Tonight". But who knows??? It could be a stage-name that a producer owns the rights to, and can send anyone out to tour with it, that they want. (a la 'Lime', aka 'Mitch & Melanie')

"But it looks just like 'Skinny and Sweet'. Except for the little skull and crossbones, on the box."

[birdie]

Dunno about whoever is touring under that name at the moment. But I saw the original Norma Lewis (who had been a backing singer with Shakatak) a load of times in the 80s. I was at Heaven on the memorable night that she debuted her version of 'Maybe this Time'.
I especially liked her very 'real' personality... and well remember one time at a Gay Pride event in London where she asked the audience to come closer to the stage, saying: "I want you close enough so that I can hit you!"

I also much admired her nuanced intonations - notably on the underated 'Life is the Reason' (remarkably thoughtful for a dance song).

Like Carol Jiani, she's one of those artists who always seemed to give her all in any performance.

Birdie