Information AboutJacky Lee |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT JACKIE LEE | |
| 1936 births | |
| lee, jackie | |
| irish female singers | |
| traditional pop music singers | |
| living people | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
|
Jackie Lee is an Irish popular singer, who has recorded under various names. Born Norah Jaqueline Flood in Dublin , Jackie was somewhat of a musical child prodigy. She won a scholarship and trained as a soprano for four years. Upon finishing her studies she became a vocalist with the top showbands playing prestegious Irish venues. Jackie experienced similar success when she moved to London and joined the popular danceband; The Squadronaires. In 1955 her first solo record was released, followed by a further two the next year. From 1959 to 1964 Jackie was a member of The Raindrops , a successful quartet who made countless appearances on British TV and Variety, had a BBC Radio show and released a string of records, the majority of which had Jackie as lead vocalist. Jackie Lee decided to become a solo artist in 1965 and it is this period, 1965 - 1967 , which defines her cult status through the 'Beat' records she released. Although most of these recordings were not commercially successful at the time, all of them are highly collectible today. One of these recordings did reach the NME charts however; ''"Just Like a Man"''. The 'B' side; ''"I Gotta Be With You"'', became a ' Northern Soul ' classic. Jackie Lee recorded this single under the name of Emma Rede for EMI . Jackie also had an alternative career as a respected session singer, through her groups The Jackie Lee Singers and Tears of Joy. She provided the backing vocals for such global number ones as ''Green Green Grass of Home'' by Tom Jones . Jackie demonstrated her unique vocal range, ability and versatility on such diverse recordings as ''Hey Joe'' by Jimi Hendrix ; and much of the James Last catalogue at the time. At one point Elton John was employed by Jackie, as a member of her session singers. In 1968 - as 'Jacky' - she had a UK Top Ten hit with ''" White Horses "'', the theme from a Children's TV programme. In 2003, her definitive version was voted the best TV theme tune of all time by ''The Penguin Television Companion''. The 'Jazz' styled album of the same name was also released in 1968 , which included contributions from Dudley Moore as pianist. By 1970 , 'Jacky' reverted back to 'Jackie Lee' and had another hit record; ''" Rupert "'' from the TV show based on the famous cartoon character, Rupert The Bear. This recording also had a place in the "Best TV themes of all time" list from ''The Penguin Television Companion'' at Number 7, thus consolidating Jackie Lee's cult status. Albums by Jackie were also released in 1971 and 1972 on Pye Records . Jackie Lee recorded until 1973 , when she prematurely retired due to vocal complications and throat trouble, yet she remains a respected vocalist who has high collectability status, and, it has been said, that her work has "firmly embedded itself in the subconcious of a generation" Reference: ''The World of Jackie Lee'' steve@jackielee.freeserve.co.uk EXTERNAL LINKS |