Life Judy Clay

born judith grace guions, in st. pauls, north carolina, raised grandmother in fayetteville , began singing in church. after moving brooklyn in 1950s, taken in lee drinkard warrick of drinkard singers. age of 14, became regular performer family gospel group, had been formed in savannah, georgia, around 1938, , @ times included lee warrick s sister emily (later known cissy houston) , daughters dionne , delia (later better known dionne , dee dee warwick). made recording debut drinkard singers - later became better known sweet inspirations - on 1954 album, newport spiritual stars. left drinkard singers in 1960 , made first solo recording, more know , on ember records. followed further singles on several record labels, little commercial success, although busted mind later became successful on uk s northern soul nightclub circuit.

in 1967, jerry wexler of atlantic records teamed white singer-songwriter billy vera make united states first racially integrated duo, , sweet inspirations, record storybook children . record made #20 on r&b chart , #54 pop. seen first interracial duo recording major label however, vera has stated television executives denied them appearances together, believing (wrongly) vera , clay more singing partners, and, add insult injury, had song performed on network tv nancy sinatra , lee hazlewood. judy pregnant, @ time, first child husband, jazz drummer leo gatewood.

after hit duet vera, country girl, city man , reached #41 r&b , #36 pop, , album together, returned stax records. there had further successes, time william bell. recording of private number reached #17 in r&b chart , #75 on u.s. pop chart, , had greater success in uk reached #8 on uk singles chart. follow-up, baby specializes , made r&b chart, before returned atlantic 1 more record vera, reaching moon , final solo hit greatest love (# 45 r&b in 1970).

subsequently, worked backing vocalist ray charles, aretha franklin, van morrison, donny hathaway , wilson pickett. stricken brain tumour in 1979, returned gospel music shortly after recovery, , sang cissy houston s gospel choir in newark, new jersey. after being involved in car accident, died few weeks later of complications. 62 years old. survived 2 sons, todd , leo, brother, raymond, , sister, sylvia shemwell.