Laurence Jones

Barbara English “Tell Me Like It Is” (Reprise 349-B, 1965)

Barbara English “Tell Me Like It Is” (Reprise 349-B, 1965) We bring Leo Ladies to a close with perhaps the most obscure that we’ve featured. From influential Girl Group Member, to Brill Building Demo Queen to One-Off Soul LP of the 70’s, Barbara Jean English did a little bit of everything in the realm of…

The Toys “My Love Sonata” (Philips 40456, 1967)

The Toys “My Love Sonata” (Philips 40456, 1967) It’s one more day of double the Leo Lady, as the main lead singer of The Toys, Barbara Harris, celebrates her 70th Birthday this August 18th. Their “A Lover’s Concerto” caught the ears of the pop buying world by storm (and The Supremes off guard, totally recognizing…

Maxine Brown “Seems You’ve Forsaken My Love” (Epic 5-10334, 1968)

Maxine Brown “Seems You’ve Forsaken My Love” (Epic 5-10334, 1968) We’re starting to wind down on the number of Lionesses of Sixties Soul with our Lady Leos. Today we sit down with my absolute favorite under the radiant sign, Maxine Brown. For nearly 60 years, Maxine Brown has blazed an under-appreciated path through soul music…

Ketty Lester “Love Me Just A Little Bit” (Tower 208-B, 1966)

Ketty Lester “Love Me Just A Little Bit” (Tower 208-B, 1966) Talented and Sultry, Ketty Lester is one of the ultimate Lady Leos of Soul. Despite having only one major hit record, she was able to purvey her talents on multiple mediums normally closed off to African American women in the 1960s. Recording and hit…

The Impacts “Just Because” (DCP 1150-B, 1965)

The Impacts “Just Because” (DCP 1150-B, 1965) It’s Fair to say that Teddy Randazzo was on fire as a producer in 1965. Not only had he boosted Little Anthony & The Imperials back to the public consciousness in the past year, but he had launched a number of other careers. The Royalettes finally broke through…

The Ronettes “You Came, You Saw, You Conquered” (A&M 1040, Pop #100, 1969)

The Ronettes “You Came, You Saw, You Conquered” (A&M 1040, Pop #100, 1969) She sometimes talks to rainbows, and the applause of the crowd gives her orgasms. She might be the most definitive Leo of the Girl Group era; so we celebrate Ronnie Spector on her 72nd Birthday. The fierce feline from Spanish Harlem whose…

The Marvelettes “Now Is The Time For Love” (From the LP In Full Bloom, 1969)

The Marvelettes “Now Is The Time For Love” (From the LP In Full Bloom, 1969) Our next leading Lady Leo is one of the Motown pioneers. As the eldest member of The Marvelettes when they arrived at Motown in 1961, Wanda Young stood alongside Gladys Horton as the other lead singer in The Marvelettes. Over…

The Velvelettes “Something’s Happening” (1966, Unreleased. From The Velvelettes: Motown Anthology, 2004)

The Velvelettes “Something’s Happening” (1966, Unreleased. From The Velvelettes: Motown Anthology, 2004) We all know that 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit had an overflow of talent. Here this Sunday we come up with the next date where two legendary leading ladies of Motown share the same Birthday. First off we sing in salutation to…

The Chiffons “Easy To Love (So Hard To Get)” (Laurie 3224, 1964)

The Chiffons “Easy To Love (So Hard To Get)” (Laurie 3224, 1964) Our next Leading Lady Leo is one of the many that was gracious enough to share the spotlight with fellow group members. Although her voice dominates the biggest hits The Chiffons had, Judy Craig shared lead duties with Sylvia Peterson on the slew of classics,…

Timi Yuro “Get Out Of My Life” (Mercury 72431, 1965)

Timi Yuro “Get Out Of My Life” (Mercury 72431, 1965) One of the fiercest blue eyed soul singers would be of course a Lady Leo. The pint sized powerhouse born Rosemary Timothea Yuro 75 years ago today blurred many an expectation of what it meant to be a female pop singer in the early 1960’s….