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Lynda Laurence
Lynda Laurence

Born

Feb. 20, 1949

Lynda Laurence (born Lynda Tucker on February 20, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was a member of the Supremes from April of 1972 to October of 1973, replacing Cindy Birdsong who left the trio to have a child & raise her family.

Early Years[]

Lynda began her career singing with a group named the Pendelles. Her sister Sundray Tucker was also in this group.

She eventually made her way to Stevie Wonder's group Wonderlove in 1969. At this time, Sundray was going by the name Cindy Scott & rejoined Lynda in the group Wonderlove.

Lynda, Sundray and their cousin Terri Hendricks toured with Stevie to promote his single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" which prominently features Lynda on back-up vocals.

The Supremes Years[]

In 1972, Mary Wilson (who chose to continue the legacy of The Supremes after the departure of Florence Ballard in 1967 and lead singer Diana Ross in 1970) was about to lose another member of the group, Cindy Birdsong, who was expecting a baby at the time.

Cindy originally replaced Sundray Tucker in the group The Ordettes (later called Patti LaBelle & The Blubelles), so it was ironic that Sundray's sister Lynda would be taking Cindy's place as a background singer.

At this time, Jean Terrell was the lead singer of The Supremes.

Lynda joined the group around the time the group issued their album and was featured on the cover even though Cindy sung on the album before her departure.

Among the songs she recorded with the group include the Stevie Wonder produced single, "Bad Weather" and "The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb" album plus "Live in Japan" album recorded in 1973.

Whilst with The Supremes at Motown, Lynda was never given the opportunity to record a lead vocal, although she did have the opportunity to sing lead in concert on a couple of occasions including her debut with the group in May of 1972 at Hawaii's prestigious H.I.C Arena and at the famed Copacabana in New York.

In October of 1973, she was replaced by Cindy Birdsong when she was expecting a baby herself.

In addition, Jean was replaced by Scherrie Payne that year when she quit due to the lack of promotion and publicity that the Supremes had.

Later Career[]

In 1975, Linda, Sundray and soon-to-be Supreme member Susaye Greene (along with other vocalists) provided backing vocals to Stevie Wonder's 1976 album "Songs in the Key of Life."

During that same year, Lynda teamed up with Sundray again under the name The Wiltn Place Street Band.

Under the leadership of Lynda's then-husband record producer\musician Trevor Lawrence, they recorded the song "Disco Lucy" (which was a re-working of the theme song to the classic television show "I Love Lucy").

Backing Vocalist[]

Lynda has provided vocals for Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Moacir Santos, Jean Terrell, Joe Cocker, Brian Setzer, Harry Nilsson, Brandy, Ringo Starr & Martha Reeves.

Solo Music Career[]

As a solo artist, Lynda recorded the songs "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart", "Life Is The Reason" and "Make Your Own Kind Of Music" among others under the name of "Norma Lewis" in the 1980s.

In 1990 and 1991, she also recorded several solo tracks for the UK based Motorcity Records label issuing the single, "Living With A Married Man". The label folded before Lynda released an album.

Lynda was the first first to record the song " I Still Believe" (before singer Brenda K. Starr did).

Former Ladies of the Supremes (FLOS)[]

Lynda (who once again replacing Cindy Birdsong) joined Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne to form The Former Ladies of the Supremes in 1986.

The FLOS have recorded many songs (mostly remakes of Supremes tunes) but have built up a catalog that includes many non-Motown and some original songs.

The FLOS have maintained a solid fan base and in 2011 celebrated their 25th anniversary together.

Jean left in 1992 and was replaced by Lynda's sister, Sundray Tucker. (Sundray herself was once eyed as a potential Supreme in 1972, but the position was offered to Lynda instead).

In 1996, Sundray left the group and was replaced by Freddi Poole who left in 2009 & was replaced by Joyce Vincent Wilson (who was a former member of Tony Orlando & Dawn) stepping in as the newest member.

Many sources note that Joyce was originally selected to take Mary Wilson's place in the Supremes in 1977 before the group disbanded.

The group (still popular and touring) now goes by "Scherrie Payne & Lynda Laurence, Formerly of the Supremes," but it's still often referred to by fans and the press as the FLOS.

Discography[]

Over the years, Lynda recorded many tracks & only a few of them have been released as solo projects.

Her first music video was filmed in Los Angeles, California at the "At My Place" venue.

Songs under the name Norma Lewis

  • "Give Me Back Just A Little Piece Of My Heart"
  • "Life Is The Reason"
  • "Maybe This Time"
  • "The Fight (For The Single Family)"
  • "Make Your Own Kind Of Music"
  • "Someone That I Used To Know"

Songs from Motorcity Records

  • "Forever"
  • "Forever Came Today"
  • "I'm Not Taking A Chance"
  • "Right Around Midnight"
  • "If This World We're Mine"
  • "Outside Looking In"
  • "The Man In My Life"
  • "Living With A Married Man"
  • "Fresh Out Of Tears"
  • "It's A Crying Shame"

Songs with Harry Nillson

  • "Just One Look"/"Baby I'm Yours"

Unreleased Songs

  • "Don't Cross The Street"
  • "Feed The Hunger"
  • "It Finally Happened To Be"
  • "Someone Wonderful"

Live At The Courthouse

  • (Note: Although it officially released, Lauryn recorded a solo set of jazz music material at Los Angeles' Courthouse venue with resident band, Night Court).

Tracks

  • "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever"
  • "I Wish You Love"
  • "Green Dolphin Street"
  • "Ill Wind"
  • "Give Me The Simple Life"
  • "Love Dance"
  • "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"
  • "Fever"
  • "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"
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