I know The Dells backed some Barbara Lewis Atlantic 45s.

Also The Parliaments sang back up for Tamala Lewis "You Won"t Say Nothing."

I also remember Dean Courtney telling Richard Searling on his JazzFM show that Valerie Simpson, Dee Dee Warwick and Cissy Houston were on "Back Up " duty for "Love You Just Can"t Walk Away"

Just interested of any more.

Cheers Paul

I think I once read that the backing vocals on Martha & the Vandellas “My baby loves me” were by the FourTops and the Andantes.

I find its a pretty interesting topic when you find out how many talented singers did actually do back ups.

The Masqueraders did loads while at American sound - Joe Simon, Wilson Pickett, and Roosevelt Grier 'C'mon Cupid on Amy were some of the recordings

The Blossoms featuring Darlene Love and Fanita James were on loads of Goldstar Recordings and Cher was on Righteous Brothers 'lost that lovin feeling'.

The Originals and The Spinnners were prolific at Motown as they waited to get a chance to do their own recordings

Interesting story of when the Ojays wanted a choir for a track on their Emotionally Yours album in 1991 they put out a plea on a few New York radio stations. Who turned up ?.... Glenn Jones, Towatha Agee , Keith Sweat, Evelyn Champagne King and there were at least 10 more top class soul singers

if you ever get the chance to see the film 'Twenty feet from Stardom' it will explain and actually show much more than I could ever explain. I was riveted

You can hear the Chi-Lites doing backings on some of Barbara Acklin’s records

At the likes of Motown, Stax, Fame, etc, who ever was around & available (+ willing) would be utilised as backing singers on the tracks being cut at that particular time.

Eu(Gene) Dozier didn't think he was getting the opportunities he deserved in Philly back in the mid 60's. He spoke with a couple of Motown guys backstage @ the Uptown Theatre. They said he should try his luck in Detroit, so he did. He travelled over to the Motor city & turned up @ Hitsville Studios. They weren't expecting him but were willing to let him hang about. He wrote some songs while there (one was cut by the Marvelettes & eventually released in 69 -- "Too Many Tears, Too Many Times"). But he told me that he also got called on when the writing team were finishing work on Stevie's "Uptight". As he'd been around for part of that work, they asked him into the studio to sing backing on the recording (that would have been around October 65).

His time at Motown wasn't very productive though, so he moved across the city to Golden World. There he badged himself as 'Billy the Kid' and wrote, produced & sang backing on a good number of tracks (he worked on / co-wrote Pat Lewis's "Let's Go Together" + other stuff there). By early 67 (maybe late 66), he'd moved on again & was LA based. I believe he sang backing on the Groovettes Reness 45 and also on Lorenzo Manley's "To Prove My Love" ( he is actually the lead vocalist on the "Swoop Down On You" side).

I'd say that ID'ing all the top singers who sang backing on other artists tracks is now an impossible task as many would just 'help out' if they happened to be around the studio at the right time.

Edited June 16Jun 16 by Roburt

I seem to remember reading some where that Berry Gordy wasn't best pleased on his artists "Moon Lighting" for other Labels Artists..... not just singers but musicians as well, Any one else confirm this ?

When I spoke with Ekundayo Paris of Paris – Sleepless Nights, he told me that Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, and Sandy Wyns all provided backing vocals during the recording of Sleepless Nights at Gold Star Studios. He also mentioned an interesting fact: he co-wrote Rock DJ for Robbie Williams. Ekundayo along with his brother, were both staff songwriters at Motown under the name The Paris Brothers.

There are a few Motown moonlighting stories Rick, George Kerr told one at Blackpool Soul weekender a few years ago about recording 'I have faith in you' with Edwin Starr. They were waiting for a Funk Brother to come back from a Gig (I cant remember which one) and eventually arrived at 3 in the morning to do it in one take with The Andantes present as well. it then got put on the B side.

The famous one is the Jackie Wilson Higher and Higher - the Funks didn't get paid that day so had to travel from Detroit again to pick up their money the next day.

Here’s another interesting one… Before "The Tomangoes" were taken to United Sound by Gino Washington to record I Really Love You for Washpan, they were originally signed to Pioneer Recording Studio— this is where they met Gino. The group initially included more members than just Dusty Claude Williams. During their time at Pioneer, they recorded You've Been Gone Too Long and Love's Got a Hold on Me, with backing vocals from The Gambrells.

Unfortunately, Pioneer struggled to manage its growing roster of artists, and those early recordings were later re-recorded—and reworked—at United Sound, this time with Gino Washington at the controls and Dusty Claude Williams on lead. However, the original Pioneer sessions remained in the vaults until they were eventually released by MD Records in the UK. "Loves Got A Hold On Me" became "I Really Love You" - and the group originally had the Gambrells backing.

Edited June 16Jun 16 by Northernjordan12

''Popcorn'' Wylie often used the Andantes. (there was a lot of love between he and the girls)

Pat Lewis backed a huge amont of artists, both on stage and in the recording studio. She was at times a fourth member of the Andantes too.

Elsie Gray of and with the Debonairs backed a fair few songs (there are people more qualified to offer exact details)

Pat Lewis backed all of Isac Hayes stuff.

Sandra Richardson backed some of Aretha Franklins tracks

the list is endless, sadly not always documented

Always listen out for the backing singers for some reason. I thought they had a cushy day on a "Thousand Wounders" - TSU Tornadoes as they do virtually nothing (great track though)

Then we have Eddie Holland - Daydreamer where the backing singers are even asking questions to which he replies.

Who were the girls on the Rictic stuff like jj barnes please let me in?

36 minutes ago, Dobber said:

Who were the girls on the Rictic stuff like jj barnes please let me in?

I don't actually know but a combination of several names are possible, Pat Lewis, Joyce Vincent, Andantes, Rose Batiste, even Gwen Owens, she recorded Hit and Run but never got release.

I think for the most part anyone who was hanging around the studio on the day of recording, it may be documented somewhere

The reason I started this thread was after reading this letter in a Black Music magazine from 1975. It was written by a soul fan from San Francisco and I have no idea how he obtained this info

Anyone heard of this or can confirm ?

Cheers Paul

12 hours ago, Nickinstoke said:

You can hear the Chi-Lites doing backings on some of Barbara Acklin’s records

Yes and as Eugene R was Barbaras squeeze not surprising.

Cheers Paul

12 hours ago, Steve W said:

if you ever get the chance to see the film 'Twenty feet from Stardom' it will explain and actually show much more than I could ever explain. I was riveted

A great docu Steve W good call. I think its on YT ?

Patti Austin, Edna Wright. Merry Clayton and more.

Cheers Paul

11 hours ago, Soul Shrews said:

The reason I started this thread was after reading this letter in a Black Music magazine from 1975. It was written by a soul fan from San Francisco and I have no idea how he obtained this info

Anyone heard of this or can confirm ?

Cheers Paul

Thats an interesting one. Never heard or read anything but guessing it could be the breakaway Dramatics formed by Wee Gee Howard. There were two groups recording as The Dramatics at that time until Ron Banks won the court case giving him naming rights.

Luther Van Dross was mainly working as a backing singer on NY / LA studio sessions up to 1974/75.

Then in 1975 he was hired as a backing singer for David Bowie's 'Young Americans' album sessions. Bowie watched him do some of the backing vocals & was immediately impressed. He went away & listened to a couple of LVD tracks, He then told Luther that he was too good to just be singing backing & asked to use one of his songs -- it became "Fascination" for Bowie but it had started life as "Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)".

Edited Tuesday at 06:455 days by Roburt

Ric Tic, Golden World etc I would imagine it was a case of everyone mucking in, no one had a real hit to their name and had to make money. A bit like Motown stars before they hit it big.

Can’t believe no one has mentioned The Sweet Inspirations?

From a long defunct excellent comprehensive Motown site under artists;

1962: The Vandellas with Martha Reeves is formed as Marvin Gayes' backing

Vocals

Velvelettes (The), 1962- 1970: The varied line ups have consisted of

Carolyn Gill, Mildred Gill, Bertha Barbee, Norma Barbee, Betty Kelly,

Annette McMillan and Sandra Tilley. They were backing singers on many of

the Motown hits, and their own best known single was the 1965 hit "He

Was Really Sayin' Somethin'"

Anecdotally, my late brother was a Pink Floyd obsessive when I asked him about Doris Troy backing on Dark Side of the Moon (along with Barry St. John, Lesley Duncan, and Liza Strike, contributed backing vocals on tracks) he replied ‘yeah I know her, she’s one of your lot, isn’t she?’

He saw TDSOFTM tour in the early 70’s and knew of backing singer Carlena Williams (of Soulful Drop in the Bucket fame to us)

Back to the Dells - you can hear them singing backing on Andre Williams’ Checker single “Cadillac Jack/Mrs Mother USA”, and they also supposedly provided percussion backing on Betty Everett’s “Getting mighty crowded” by stamping their feet

Edited Tuesday at 16:155 days by Nickinstoke

12 hours ago, Steve W said:

Thats an interesting one. Never heard or read anything but guessing it could be the breakaway Dramatics formed by Wee Gee Howard. There were two groups recording as The Dramatics at that time until Ron Banks won the court case giving him naming rights.

Could be, to be honest I don"t recognise any vocals. Also I have no idea where the letter writer got his info, but from the rest of the letter he was pushing other less well known Bay Area artists.

May also have been the "other" Dramatics on Mainstream ?

Cheers Paul

AN INTERESTING ONE ... Atlantic used all sorts of guys / gals as backing singers on their NY sessions -- al lot of the time it being the Sweet Inspirations.

BUT ... in November 1967 they took the remaining 3 Drifters into the studio. They recorded "I Dig Your Act" (Bill Fredericks on lead), "Still Burning In My Heart" (Johnny Moore on lead) + a couple of other songs. As there were only 3 guys on the session, it's said they used another track on the backing tape for the same 3 guys (Bill, Johnny & Rick Sheppard) to do their own harmony backing vocals. GUESS no other Atlantic acts were around the studio at the time.

Elise Baker of The Debonaires mentioned that they overdubbed their backing vocals on Jimmy Mack – My World Is On Fire! Unfortunately, they never met "Jimmy Mack"—whoever he is—but they did record their vocals separately.

Not a backing vocal comment but backing musician related ... Lou Ragland played on the backing track to the Precisions "If This Is Love" @ Golden World studios. But, until he played the Prestatyn Weekender, he'd never met any of the group (they added their vocals at a later session in the studio).

I's say (after the mid 60's), many backing singers contributed to sessions but never actually met the singer / group who's efforts they'd help assist on the track.

Edited Wednesday at 12:284 days by Roburt

Frances Nero won a contest in the Fox Theater. The prize was a recording contract at Motown Studios.

When she finally got to the studio she was surprised to find that most of the recording was already in place. All she had to do was add her lead vocals to the Originals backing vocals and the band track. I don’t know where “Fight Fire With Fire” fitted in but she told me that her contribution to “Keep On Loving Me” lasted “ten minutes”.

Detroit 2002.

4 hours ago, Northernjordan12 said:

Elise Baker of The Debonaires mentioned that they overdubbed their backing vocals on Jimmy Mack – My World Is On Fire! Unfortunately, they never met "Jimmy Mack"—whoever he is—but they did record their vocals separately.

I got this from Elsie as well about Darrell Banks

"The Songs We Did Are: Somebody Somewhere Needs You: Angel Baby: I’m Knocking At Your Door: I’ve Got That Feeling: Just Because Your Love Is Gone: Never Alone: My Love Is Reserved For You: No One Blinder: I’m Saving My Loving."

4 hours ago, Roburt said:

Not a backing vocal comment but backing musician related ... Lou Ragland played on the backing track to the Precisions "If This Is Love" @ Golden World studios. But, until he played the Prestatyn Weekender, he'd never met any of the group (they added their vocals at a later session in the studio).

I's say (after the mid 60's), many backing singers contributed to sessions but never actually met the singer / group who's efforts they'd help assist on the track.

Just an obsevation, didn't Golden World studios became studio B under Motown controll after 66. The Precissions was recorded in 67? and likely to have been recorded at Terra-Sherma or United Sound. Just an observation ?

Only in more recent years did I learn that Pat Lewis backed on Cecil Washingtons biggie

1 hour ago, Gilly said:

Just an obsevation, didn't Golden World studios became studio B under Motown controll after 66. The Precissions was recorded in 67? and likely to have been recorded at Terra-Sherma or United Sound. Just an observation ?

Yes, just posted it as I thought I remembered it. Lou visited Detroit to find out 'THEIR SECRET' when Way Out were building their own studio back in Cleveland. So it most probably was Terra-Sherma or United Sound ... I'd have to find my old article on Lou on an old computer to double check which one it actually was (& finding it on an old computer is a thankless task).

When I was running Lou's UK tour around 1990, one of the shows was organised by my old Worksop mate Pete Ward. As we were setting the venue up for the night & Lou was checking the sound system /mic set-up, I got Pete to play "If This Is Love" as he checked the wiring was also good to the decks. Lou came running straight over yelling ... THIS IS THE TRACK I PLAYED ON ...

Not Soul related ,but just reading the sleeve notes to The Rolling Stones “ Exile On Main Street “ Album ,and Clydie King is heavily featured as a backing vocalist …

4 hours ago, Roburt said:

Yes, just posted it as I thought I remembered it. Lou visited Detroit to find out 'THEIR SECRET' when Way Out were building their own studio back in Cleveland. So it most probably was Terra-Sherma or United Sound ... I'd have to find my old article on Lou on an old computer to double check which one it actually was (& finding it on an old computer is a thankless task).

When I was running Lou's UK tour around 1990, one of the shows was organised by my old Worksop mate Pete Ward. As we were setting the venue up for the night & Lou was checking the sound system /mic set-up, I got Pete to play "If This Is Love" as he checked the wiring was also good to the decks. Lou came running straight over yelling ... THIS IS THE TRACK I PLAYED ON ...

That's a great story mate

11 hours ago, Roburt said:

Not a backing vocal comment but backing musician related ... Lou Ragland played on the backing track to the Precisions "If This Is Love" @ Golden World studios. But, until he played the Prestatyn Weekender, he'd never met any of the group (they added their vocals at a later session in the studio).

I's say (after the mid 60's), many backing singers contributed to sessions but never actually met the singer / group who's efforts they'd help assist on the track.

Also at Prestatyn, Rita Graham told us she never met the Tiaras. The track and backing vocals had all been done prior (for Gloria Jones I’d presume)

On 15/06/2025 at 20:47, Soul Shrews said:

I know The Dells backed some Barbara Lewis Atlantic 45s.

Also The Parliaments sang back up for Tamala Lewis "You Won"t Say Nothing."

I also remember Dean Courtney telling Richard Searling on his JazzFM show that Valerie Simpson, Dee Dee Warwick and Cissy Houston were on "Back Up " duty for "Love You Just Can"t Walk Away"

Just interested of any more.

Cheers Paul

Hi Paul

Hope you are well my friend

The Dells also backed Wade Flemons on "That other place"

Best regards

Kev

Yes Kev you"re right there . Good call.

They also backed Jerry Butler & Betty Everett on "Just Be True" a few months later.

Thanks to "Soul Harmony Singles" for info.

Cheers Paul

On 18/06/2025 at 15:41, Blackpoolsoul said:

I got this from Elsie as well about Darrell Banks

"The Songs We Did Are: Somebody Somewhere Needs You: Angel Baby: I’m Knocking At Your Door: I’ve Got That Feeling: Just Because Your Love Is Gone: Never Alone: My Love Is Reserved For You: No One Blinder: I’m Saving My Loving."

It would be nice to hear of 'a day in the life of a backing singer'; probably bored senseless and pee-poor pay?

2 hours ago, Simon T said:

It would be nice to hear of 'a day in the life of a backing singer'; probably bored senseless and pee-poor pay?

If you were a hired musician or backing singer, you were sure to get paid for your day's work. If you were the named artist on a session (be it a solo singer or group) you got no such pay. If the session resulted in a record being released & it sold well ... you just MIGHT get some royalties for your efforts.