Lorraine Ellison
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Lorraine Ellison (17 March 1931 – 31 January 1983 [1]) was an African American female soul singer, best known for her recording of the song "Stay With Me Baby" in 1966.
Born Marybelle Luraine Ellison [1], in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ellison originally sang with two gospel groups, the Ellison Singers and the Golden Chords, before moving to R&B in 1964. Her first chart entry was with a cover of Jerry Butler's "I Dig You Baby" in 1965. Ellison also recorded "Just a Little Bit Harder", a song later covered to more success by Janis Joplin.
She signed with the Loma record label and recorded the soul classic "Stay With Me Baby" at a last minute booking, following a studio cancellation by Frank Sinatra.[2]
"Stay With Me Baby" reached number 11 in the U.S. R&B chart and number 64 in the pop chart. The song was written and produced by Jerry Ragovoy. Her follow-up single was "Heart Be Still" a minor hit in 1967 [3].
Twice-married, Ellison died in January 1983, from ovarian cancer, at the age of 51.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Cover versions
The song "Stay With Me Baby" (sometimes entitled more simply as "Stay With Me") has been covered by numerous musicians, including The Walker Brothers, David Essex, Cher, Ruby Turner, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, and Rebecca Wheatley.
[edit] Discography
- Heart and Soul - 1966 - Warner
- Stay With Me - 1969
- Lorraine Ellison - 1974
- The Best of Philadelphia's Queen - 1976 - Compilation album
