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Freda Payne - booking information

The multi-talented Freda Payne is best known for her singing career, yet she has also performed in musicals and acted in movies over the years, and briefly in 1981 was the host of her own TV talk show, "Today's Black Woman."

Freda Payne - booking information Born in Detroit, Michigan, Freda Payne is sister of former Supremes member, Scherrie Payne. Freda began her career with the Pearl Bailey Revue, performing regularly with Duke Ellington. Her first major break came when Quincy Jones invited her to perform as a soloist with his orchestra one night at the Apollo in Harlem, New York.

In 1965 she signed with ABC Records and sang strictly jazz until 1969 when she was signed by the Invictus label, formed by the Holland/Dozier/Holland production team, after their departure from Motown Records. In fact, Freda Payne was the first singer that Motown president Berry Gordy Jr. wanted to sign to his label. Gordy had his eyes set on making Freda his big female star in the early part of Motown before Diana Ross, Martha Reeves and Mary Wells. However, Freda was never signed by Gordy.

At Invictus Freda Payne made an immediate impact on the American R&B scene with "Unhooked Generation," followed by her biggest hit "Band of Gold" (UK No.1, Sept 1970). In the UK this success was followed by a couple of minor hit singles, "Deeper and Deeper" (No. 33, Nov 1970) and "Cherish What Is Dear To You" (No. 46, Mar 1971). However, her U.S. million-seller anti-Vietnam song "Bring the Boys Home" failed to chart in the UK. Because of a royalty dispute with Invictus, "I haven't been paid a cent in 25 years," said Freda in a recent U.S. interview, she returned to the ABC label.

Her album releases for ABC included "Payne & Pleasure" (1975) and "Out Of Payne Comes Love" (1975). In 1976 Freda made a switch to Capitol for "Supernatural High" and in 1982 Freda Payne recorded the single "In Motion" for the New York Sutra label.

Payne is equally at home performing with a symphony or an intimate jazz trio. Her remarkable multi-faceted career spans more than four decades and includes theater, Broadway, concert stage and film.

Whether singing pop, jazz, or R&B, there are few vocalists finer than Freda Payne.

Hit songs include --

  • Band of Gold
  • Bring The Boys Home
  • Deeper & Deeper
  • Cherish What Is Dear To You (While It's Near To You)
  • Love Magnet
  • You Brought The Joy
  • The Unhooked Generation
  • Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right
  • It's Yours To Have
  • The Road We Didn't Take

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