Justine "Baby" Washington

    Justine "Baby" Washington

Justine Washington was born November 13, 1940 in Bamberg, South Carolina. Washington was raised in Harlem, New York. In 1956, she joined the vocal group The Hearts, and then began her solo career a year later. Washington had sixteen R & B Chart entries in 15 years, mostly in the 1960s. Justine Washington Released Numerous singles early in her career. Washington recorded on Donald Shaw's Neptune Record Label. She established herself as a major soul singer with two hits in 1959: "The Time" and "The Bells". Washington followed up with the hit "Nobody Cares" in 1961.

She signed with ABC Paramount for two releases. Her self-written "Let Love Go By" ,Released under the name Jeanette "Baby" Washington, is a Classic Northern Soul single. She then moved to Juggy Murray’s Sue Records Sue Records in 1962, where she reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 with "That's How Heartaches Are Made" (1963) and the U.S. R&B Top 10 with "Only Those In Love" (1965). Washington also recorded the song called "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face" and in 1962 "Careless Hands".

Washington revived her career in the early 1970s coving The Marvelettes' "Forever” as a duet with Don Gardner. Her solo release "I've Got To Break Away" made number 73 on the R&B charts.

Washington is still active as a live performer, appearing several times a year on the East Coast. She performed with the Enchanters at a Philadelphia-area show in March 2008, and in Baltimore in June 2008. Washington was among the 2008 honorees in Community Works' Ladies Singing the Blues music series.

http://supersoulsisters.blogspot.com/2009/05/baby-washington-sue-singles-1962-1968.html

Wendy Rene

                 Wendy Rene

Wendy Rene is a soul/R&B singer and songwriter. In her early teens, she was a member of the singing group The Drapels and was signed with Stax Records. The group consisted of Wendy, her brother Johnnie Frierson and two friends, Marion Brittenum and Wilbur Mondie. Mary Frierson needed a stage name Otis Redding came up with the name Wendy René. She used that name regularly after she became a solo artist.

She recorded several songs, some of which have been used in films and sampled/redone by current artists such as Wu-Tang and Alicia Keys.

Her father was of mixed race and married a Memphis musician who was nearly 20 years his junior. The two had three sons and one daughter. As a teenager, Wendy married a military man. The young couple parted ways. Soon after, Wendy met and married songwriter and Stax employee James Cross.

In December 1967, Wendy was scheduled to fly with Otis Redding and the Bar-Kays for what would have been her final live performance for the forseeable future. Wendy René backed out at the last minute to stay home with her child. Tragically, the plane crashed Leaving Redding and six others dead.

Wendy Rene - I Wish I Were That Girl

              IRMA THOMAS

Irma Thomas Sang in a church choir as a teen. Singing with Tommy Ridgley helped her get a record deal with the local Ron label. Irma Thomas’ first single, "(You Can Have My Husband but) Don't Mess with My Man," was released in spring 1960, and reached number 22 on the Billboard R&B chart. She then began recording on the Minit label, working with songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint on songs including "It’s Raining" and "Ruler of my Heart", Imperial Records acquired Minit in 1963, and a string of successful releases followed. These included "Wish Someone Would Care” its B-side “Breakaway”, ”Anyone Who Knows What Love Is", and A cover of Kai Winding’s “Time is on my side”. She recorded for Chess Records in 1967/68 with some success, the Otis Redding song "Good To Me" reaching the R&B chart. She then relocated to California, releasing records on various small labels, before returning to Louisiana, and in the early 1980s opened her own club, the Lion's Den. She then signed to Rounder Records, and in 1991 earned her first-ever Grammy Award nomination for Live! Simply the Best, recorded in San Francisco. 

http://3ack.blogspot.com/2007/12/irma-thomas-sweet-soul-queen-of-new.html

Irma Thomas - Long After Tonight Is All Over