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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHOLLOWAY, Brenda(b 21 June '46, Atascadero CA) Soul singer: one of the first successful Motown artists, unusual in that stable in being from the West Coast. Studied classical violin as a child but got bitten by the pop bug; signed by Motown while still a teenager: three top 40 hits incl. classic, funereally slow deep soul ballad "Every Little Bit Hurts' '64 (covered in UK by the Spencer Davis group, an introduction to the soulful voice of the young Stevie Winwood); second was "When I'm Gone' '65; third "You've Made Me So Very Happy' '67, covered '69 by Blood Sweat & Tears. "Just Look What You've Done' and "Operator' made R&B chart; "You Can Cry On My Shoulder' and "Together Till The End Of Time' were minor pop hits. Paradoxically, although a West Coast artist she did not get the back-up and promotion she deserved at Motown while label boss Berry Gordy was contemplating a move to the West Coast, and allowing others to take over day-today decision making. She sang back-up on Joe Cockers's debut LP With A Little Help From My Friends '68, then apparently retired, her biggest hits quite unforgettable. |