Shirley Goodman
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Shirley Mae Goodman (later Shirley Goodman Pixley, b. New Orleans, 19 June 1936 – d. Los Angeles, 5 July 2005) was an American R&B singer, who had substantial success both in the 1950s and 1970s.
After singing in church choirs, she recorded her first demo with a group of friends in 1950. Some months later, her solo voice caught the attention of Aladdin Records owner Eddie Messner, who tracked her down and paired her as a duo with another school friend, Leonard Lee (b. 29th June 1936 - d. 23rd October 1976).
As Shirley & Lee, they recorded their debut single "I’m Gone", produced by Cosimo Matassa, which reached #2 on the R&B charts in 1952. The record contrasted Shirley’s high voice with Lee's baritone, in a way in which subsequent writers have suggested was influential on the development of ska and reggae. In their early songs they pretended as if they were sweethearts and were dubbed "the Sweethearts of the Blues". However, they changed style in 1956 and recorded "Let The Good Times Roll", which became their biggest hit reaching # 1 on the R&B charts and # 20 on the pop charts. Although the follow-up, "Feel So Good", also made the charts, the duo’s later releases were less successful, and Shirley and Lee split up in 1962. Lee made some subsequent solo records with little success.
In the mid-1960s Goodman moved to California, where she worked as a session singer on records by Sonny and Cher, Dr. John and others, and also formed a duo for a time with Jessie Hill. She sang backing vocals on the Rolling Stones’ "Exile On Main Street" album, but then briefly retired from the music industry.
However, in 1974 she was contacted by old friend Sylvia Robinson, previously of the duo Mickey and Sylvia and now co-owner of the All Platinum label, and persuaded to record the lead vocal on a dance track, “Shame, Shame, Shame”. Credited to Shirley & Company, the record became a major international pop hit, reaching # 12 on the Billboard charts and presaging the disco boom. After a few further recordings and tours, Goodman finally retired from the music industry after returning to New Orleans in the late 1970s.
