Madeline Bell

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Madeline Bell (born July 23, 1942, in Newark, New Jersey) is an African-American Soul singer who became famous as a performer in England during the 1960s, having arrived from the U.S. in the Gospel show "Black Nativity".

She worked as a session singer, most notably backing for Dusty Springfield. Her first major solo hit was a cover version of Dee Dee Warwick's single "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", which performed better on the U.S. pop charts than the original.

Bell then joined contemporary pop combo Blue Mink, with whom she had a number of Top 20 hits with Philips Records in the UK including "Melting Pot", "Our World", "Randy", "Banner Man", and "Stay With Me". She then went solo, and her version of "Picture Me Gone" is still a Northern Soul favourite today, as is "What Am I Supposed To Do", from 1968, a two-minute B-side tune co-written with future Led Zeppelin member John Paul Jones, then working as one of London's most in-demand session bassists.

Since the 1960s, Madeline has continued singing solo and also performed in a number of stage shows. She lives in the Spain with her husband, drummer Barry Reeves, and regularly tours Europe singing jazz and popular songs.