It has been introduced that Linda Lewis — who has labored with artists together with David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Rod Stewart — has died, aged 72.
The singer had spent greater than 4 many years inside the trade, working with among the most well-known names in music. She additionally had a distinguished solo profession all through the Seventies, which featured quite a lot of Prime 40 hits.
Her demise was introduced by her sibling, Dee Lewis Clay, on social media in the present day (Could 4).
Within the replace, Clay confirmed the “heartbreaking” information of Lewis’s passing, and described her as a ‘beloved stunning sister”. Though no reason for demise has been introduced as of but, the put up did clarify that the musician had died peacefully at residence (by way of the BBC).
The singer was recognised for her five-octave vocal vary, and offered backing vocals for the likes of Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Jamiroquai.
She additionally carried out on the first ever Glastonbury pageant in 1970, and had a number of profitable solo hits all through the last decade, together with ‘Rock-A-Doodle-Doo’ which reached quantity 15 within the UK.
Fellow musician Midge Ure — who can also be a producer and has labored with bands together with Slik, Skinny Lizzy, Wealthy Children and Visage — took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late musician. “Actually unhappy to listen to this. I had a large crush on Linda Lewis,” he wrote. “‘Not a bit lady anymore’ was an excellent music and fantastically sung by her.”
Former Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell additionally took to social media to share his unhappiness on the loss, writing: “RIP Linda Lewis. A unbelievable vocalist”, and singer-songwriter, report producer, director and conductor, Mike Batt LVO, additionally paid tribute to the singer. “Horrible information about ‘our Lil’. She was a very nice and oh so-talented good friend,” he wrote within the caption.
“We made an album collectively for Arista. So unhappy. I ship my heartfelt condolences to her household and family members.” Discover extra tributes from the music world beneath.
Actually unhappy to listen to this. I had a large crush on Linda Lewis. ‘Not a bit lady anymore’ was an excellent music and fantastically sung by her🙏 https://t.co/Q6QC3ADePl
— midge ure💙 (@midgeure1) Could 4, 2023
Horrible information about “our Lil”. She was a very nice and oh so-talented good friend. We made an album collectively for Arista. So unhappy. I ship my heartfelt condolences to her household and family members. #LindaLewis https://t.co/unPuSofuWO
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) Could 4, 2023
One of many tracks I organized and produced for my Linda Lewis whom I briefly managed within the 70s. Unhappy to listen to of hear demise🙁 – I would Be Surprisingly Good for You (Official Audio) https://t.co/Z0oWA4lUPT
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) Could 4, 2023
RIP Linda Lewis. A unbelievable vocalist.
— Phil Campbell (@MotorheadPhil) Could 4, 2023
Very unhappy to study Linda Lewis’ passing. I completely adore “I am Not A Little Lady Anymore”.https://t.co/o1Wyjtj7Ph
— Conor Jatter (@MrJattski) Could 4, 2023
We’ve misplaced one other nice expertise. Unhappy to listen to about Linda Lewis might she relaxation in peace 🙏🏿
— Edward Adoo (@EdwardAdoo) Could 4, 2023
RIP to @Linda__Lewis , who rock-a-doodle-dooed a beautiful London Cupboard 11/4/17! What a power!
Additionally RIP to @NeilInnes from that very same present: certainly one of my musical heroes. That is outdated information, however he is nonetheless resting, & I hope peacefully; he was a good looking man.https://t.co/3BqE7hZNCG
— Wesley Stace Blue Examine (@WesleyStace) Could 4, 2023
Simply heard the information that singer Linda Lewis has handed away. She was a stunning particular person and proficient singer who used to look at our Radio London Soul Nights Out. She had a exceptional singing vary and was an excellent performer. Linda R.I.P. and thanks for the music.
— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) Could 4, 2023
Unhappy to study that Singer/Songwriter #LindaLewis has died, age 72.
Along with her many accomplishments, her would possibly of Spirit to maintain shifting ahead will proceed being an inspiration. Relaxation in Energy You Treasured Music Artist.🎶 pic.twitter.com/qL1EN0vFDf
— Carleen Anderson (@CarleenAnderson) Could 4, 2023
Simply heard about Linda Lewis.
Spoke to her final 12 months for In Excellent Concord and she or he was unbelievable, a British disco sensation who sang on Rod Stewart’s Do Ya Suppose I’m Horny?
‘The factor about Rod is that he’s tight as a duck’s behind. Nonetheless owes me a tenner.’
Relaxation in peace, Linda pic.twitter.com/4Sz0NmMDMV
— Will Hodgkinson (@Willjhodgkinson) Could 4, 2023
Linda Lewis, singer and famed backing vocalist, dies aged 72 . That is actually unhappy to listen to , beloved her as a child but additionally had the pleasure of assembly her just a few instances such a stunning girl and so proficient and distinctive and I might say sadly undervalued!
RIP Linda https://t.co/5kEqaBML21
— Michelle Collins (@missmcollins) Could 4, 2023
I beloved Linda Lewis. Quiet legend of British pop. Rock A Doodle Doo certainly one of my favorite singles ever. Will play it this weekend on the present https://t.co/yyDS3DdvDi
— Stuart Maconie (@StuartMaconie) Could 4, 2023
Lewis was born Linda Ann Fredericks in West Ham in 1950, and kicked off her profession with a non-speaking position within the 1961 British movie, A Style Of Honey. She additionally appeared within the first Beatles movie, A Exhausting Day’s Evening, three years later, as a screaming fan within the viewers.
A self-taught guitarist and keyboard participant, she later launched her music profession, making an look at Glastonbury in 1970 and releasing songs together with a disco cowl of Merry Clayton’s hit ‘The Shoop Shoop Music’, referred to as ‘It’s In His Kiss’. This stays certainly one of her most profitable solo hits and peaked on the Quantity Six place in 1975.
Elsewhere in her 40-year-long profession, Lewis additionally labored as a backing vocalist for David Bowie, as a part of his ‘Aladdin Sane’ album.
She additionally lived with a gaggle of artists and musicians in Hampstead on the peak of her profession, and was usually visited by Yusuf Islam (previously referred to as Cat Stevens), Sir Elton John and T-Rex frontman Marc Bolan.
She toured with Yusuf and dated him on and off for quite a lot of years. As per The Guardian, she as soon as wrote that it was their cut up that led to him changing to Islam: “To place it kindly, he was trying to find higher which means in life. To place it bluntly, he was changing into a ache,” she wrote.
She continued to create music up till her closing years, releasing her final observe ‘Earthling’ in March of this 12 months. The one was made as a collaboration between herself and the UK band The Paracosmos.