Lynda Laurence

Not to be confused withLinda Lawrence.

Lynda Laurence
Lynda Laurence in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Lynda Tucker
Born	(1949-02-20)February 20, 1949 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop jazz
Occupation	Singer
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1969–present
Labels	Motown,Motorcity

Lynda Laurence(also spelledLawrence,bornLynda Tucker;February 20, 1949) is an American singer. The youngest daughter ofLouise and Ira Tucker,a gospel songwriter, producer, and singer, Laurence's siblings areSundray Tuckerand Ira Tucker Jr.

Laurence is best known for being a part of twoMotownacts:Stevie Wonder's backup group The Third Generation, and a member ofthe Supremesfrom April 1972 through October 1973, performing alongside lead singerJean Terrelland founding memberMary Wilson,replacingCindy Birdsongafter her departure from the group.

Biography

Early years

Laurence began her career singing with a group named the Pendelles. Her sister, Sundray Tucker, was also in this group. She eventually made her way toStevie Wonder's group Third Generation a predecessor to Wonderlove in 1969.

At this time, her sister was going by the name Cindy Scott, and rejoined Laurence in the group.Laurence, Scott and a third member, cousin Terri Hendricks, were billed as "The Third Generation" toured with Wonder to promote his single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours",which prominently featured Laurence on back-up vocals.

The Supremes (1972–1973)

Main article:The Supremes

In 1972,Mary Wilson,who chose to continue the legacy ofthe Supremesafter the departure ofFlorence Ballardin 1967 and lead singerDiana Rossin 1970, was about to lose another member of the group,Cindy Birdsong,who was expecting a child.

Birdsong originally replaced Tucker in the group the Ordettes, later to be namedPatti LaBelle & the Bluebelles,so it was ironic that Tucker's sister, Laurence took Birdsong's place as abacking vocalist.At this time,Jean Terrellwas the lead singer ofThe Supremes.Laurence joined the group around the time the group issued theirFloy Joyalbum, and appeared on the cover with Terrell and Wilson, though Birdsong had sung on the album before her departure. Among the songs she recorded with the group included the Wonder produced single, "Bad Weather",andThe Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webbalbum andThe Supremes Live! In Japanalbum recorded in 1973.

While with the Supremes at Motown, Laurence did not record a lead vocal, however she did sing lead in concert on two occasions, the first being her debut with the Supremes in May 1972 atHawaii's H.I.C Arena, when she replaced a ill Jean Terrell to perform alongside Wilson and Birdsong, and later at theCopacabanainNew York.She also contributed the occasional lead in concert, singing a lead verse to the group's 1972 live version of "Love The One You're With".

In 1973, Despite the success towards the end of the year, Terrell and Laurence decided that it would be best for the Supremes to leave Motown and seek another record label, however, Motown owned the name "Supremes".By October, when Laurence was expecting a child herself, she was again replaced by a returning Birdsong. In addition, Terrell quit that year and was replaced byScherrie Payne.

Later career

In 1975, Laurence, along with Tucker and soon-to-be-memberSusaye Greene,together with others added backing vocals to Stevie Wonder'sSongs in the Key of Life,which was released in 1976. The same year, Laurence teamed up again with Tucker, this time under the name The Wilton Place Street Band. Under the leadership of Laurence's then-husband, therecord producerand musicianTrevor Lawrence,they recorded "Disco Lucy", which was a re-working of thetheme tuneto theI Love Lucyshow.

In 2000, Laurence joined Diana Ross and Scherrie Payne for theReturn to Love Tourbilled asDiana Ross & the Supremes,despite the fact that the three were never members of the group at the same time. The tour was cancelled after less than half of the scheduled dates.

Background work

Laurence has provided studio backing vocals for:

• Stevie Wonderfor hisSigned, Sealed, and Deliveredalbum in 1970
• Stevie Wonder for hisSongs in the Key of Lifealbum in 1976
• Aretha Franklinfor herLove All The Hurt Awayalbum in 1981
• Moacir Santos
• Jean Terrellfor herI Had To Fall in Lovealbum in 1978
• Joe Cocker
• Brian Setzer
• Harry Nilsson
• Brandy Norwood
• Ringo Starr
• Martha Reeves

Solo career

As a solo artist, Laurence recorded the songs "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart", "Life Is The Reason" and "Make Your Own Kind Of Music", among others, which were released under the name of Norma Lewis in the late 1980s. (Laurence was one of several session singers to provide vocals for the “Norma Lewis” project.) In 1990 and 1991 Laurence also recorded several solo tracks for theUKbasedMotorcity Recordslabel, including the single "Living With A Married Man". The label folded before Laurence released a full album, however these songs have previously been released on subsequent Motorcity releases. Lynda Laurence was notably the first singer to record the song "I Still Believe",later made famous byBrenda K StarrandMariah Carey.

Former Ladies of the Supremes

Laurence (once again replacing Cindy Birdsong) joinedJean TerrellandScherrie Payneto form theFormer Ladies of the Supremesin 1986.They have recorded multiple songs, including "We're Back" in 1987, which also featuredAli "Ollie" Woodsonshortly after he leftThe Temptations,remakes of Supremes tunes plus a catalog of many non-Motown and original songs, including the 2006 dance single "Sisters United (We’re Taking Control)".They have maintained a solid fan base and in 2011 celebrated their 25th anniversary together.In 2017, Laurence left the group and was replaced by Susaye Greene.In 2024, Laurence returned to the group, replacing Greene.

Personal life

Lynda was married to saxophonist,Trevor Lawrence.Together they have a son Trevor Ira Lawrence Jr., born in 1974,who is a session musician and producer underDr. Dre'sAftermath Entertainment.

Discography

As Norma Lewis

• "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart"
• "Life Is The Reason"
• "When Loving You"
• "You’ve Got Something"
• "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 Nilsson

• "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 Courthouse Although never officially released, Laurence recorded a solo set ofjazzmaterial at Los Angeles'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"

External links

• Lynda Laurencediscography atDiscogs